Deep South
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Rutherford Beach, Deep South. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sat, May 16: 2–3ft, 5s period, rated Poor. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on S swell at 4s with 7mph SSE winds. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 16mph from the SSE and dropping conditions to poor.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 5s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 2-3ft and poor with strong SSE wind at 18mph.
Mon, May 18: 3–4ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on SSE swell at 6s with moderate SE wind around 12mph. The SE wind kicks in by afternoon — 16mph and poor by then.
Tue, May 19: 3–4ft, 5s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 4-5ft waves on SSE swell at 5s and moderate SE wind around 10mph. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on SSE swell at 5s and gentle SE breeze. The SSE wind kicks in by afternoon — 11mph and poor by then.
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Rutherford Beach is a forgiving sandy beach break located on the Gulf Coast of Southeast Texas, offering mellow, rolling waves perfect for learning and progression. The beach faces northeast but receives the majority of its swell from southern and southeastern sources, particularly during fall and winter swells. This spot is known for its accessible lineup and consistent small-to-medium waves that break across a wide sandy bottom, making it an ideal destination for beginners and families looking to enjoy the warm Gulf waters.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Rutherford Beach is 2-3ft with a 4.4s swell period. Wind is SSE at 14mph and conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Rutherford Beach is 2-3ft, produced by a 2.8ft S wind swell swell at 4s. 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 Rutherford Beach is Wednesday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 4.55s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Rutherford 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 Rutherford 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.
Rutherford Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Rutherford Beach is a forgiving sandy beach break located on the Gulf Coast of Southeast Texas, offering mellow, rolling waves perfect for learning and progression. The beach faces northeast but receives the majority of its swell from southern and southeastern sources, particularly during fall and winter swells. This spot is known for its accessible lineup and consistent small-to-medium waves that break across a wide sandy bottom, making it an ideal destination for beginners and families looking to enjoy the warm Gulf waters.
The prime season at Rutherford Beach is fall, 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 Rutherford Beach include occasional rip currents, murky water visibility, boat traffic. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Rutherford 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.
