Deep South
Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with light winds out of the SE.
Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with light winds out of the SE.
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Rutherford Beach for the cleanest windows.
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.
Thu, Sep 3: 0–1ft, 4s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with light winds out of the SE. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 7mph.
Fri, Sep 4: 0–1ft, 4s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with light ESE winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 8mph.
Sat, Sep 5: 0–1ft, 4s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with barely a breath of wind.
Sun, Sep 6: 0–1ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with light winds out of the NW.
Mon, Sep 7: 0–1ft, 3s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with light NW winds.
Two days at a glance. Swipe for later hours.Five days at a glance. Drag for later hours.
Very Poor today — get one free email when Rutherford Beach turns Good.
Check Rutherford Beach from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
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 0-1ft with a 4.1s swell period. Wind is SE at 3mph. 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 Rutherford Beach is 0-1ft, produced by a 1.7ft SSW 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 Thursday from 12 PM to 3 PM with 1ft waves, a 4.1s swell period, and conditions rated Very Poor. 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. We also verify our offshore swell predictions against NOAA buoy measurements daily — see our accuracy page for those swell-verification metrics (buoys measure open-water swell, not breaking surf size).
