Florida - West Coast
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Panama City Beach, Florida - West Coast. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sat, May 16: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with light ESE winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 9mph.
Sun, May 17: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with light winds out of the SSE.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with moderate ESE wind around 10mph. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 14mph.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with 12mph ESE winds.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with light winds out of the ESE.
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Panama City Beach sits along the florida - west coast facing the Gulf of Mexico, where the transect bearing points NNE indicating waves arrive from the open Gulf to the south. Surf here is typically small and gentle, generated by tropical systems, tropical storms, or distant Gulf swells, making it a mellow and forgiving wave that suits beginners and longboarders. The sugar-white sand bottom and warm Gulf waters are inviting, though consistent surf is heavily dependent on storm activity given the Gulf's limited fetch.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Panama City Beach is 0-1ft with a 7.65s swell period. Wind is ENE at 4mph and conditions are rated Very Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Panama City Beach is 0-1ft, produced by a 0.2ft S primary swell at 8s, a 0.4ft ESE wind swell swell at 2s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Panama City Beach is Tuesday from 2 PM to 5 PM with 2ft waves, a 6.35s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Panama City Beach works best with a S swell and N winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.
Tide plays a big role at Panama City Beach. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.
Panama City Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Panama City Beach sits along the florida - west coast facing the Gulf of Mexico, where the transect bearing points NNE indicating waves arrive from the open Gulf to the south. Surf here is typically small and gentle, generated by tropical systems, tropical storms, or distant Gulf swells, making it a mellow and forgiving wave that suits beginners and longboarders. The sugar-white sand bottom and warm Gulf waters are inviting, though consistent surf is heavily dependent on storm activity given the Gulf's limited fetch.
The prime season at Panama City Beach is summer, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.
Common hazards at Panama City Beach include rip currents, jellyfish, stingrays, heavy beach traffic, shallow sandbars, boat traffic. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Panama City Beach forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable. Extended forecasts show general trends. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
