Florida - West Coast
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Siesta 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, 4s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with calm winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 11mph.
Sun, May 17: 0–1ft, 4s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with gentle E breeze. Afternoon breeze fills in to 13mph.
Mon, May 18: 0–1ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with 9mph from the E. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 14mph.
Tue, May 19: flat–flatft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — Flat and very poor conditions with moderate E wind around 8mph.
Wed, May 20: flat–flatft, 4s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — Flat waves and very poor conditions with 7mph from the E. Afternoon breeze fills in to 13mph.
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Siesta Beach offers gentle, rolling beach breaks on Florida's Gulf Coast, making it an ideal spot for beginners and cruisers looking to develop their skills in warm, forgiving waters. The fine, quartz sand bottom provides a soft landing and allows for forgiving wipeouts, while the south-facing orientation captures distant Southern Hemisphere swells that push up through the Gulf during autumn months. This popular recreational beach attracts plenty of swimmers and sunbathers alongside surfers, creating a social atmosphere but requiring awareness and respect for non-surfing beachgoers.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Siesta Beach is 0-1ft with a 3.8s swell period. Wind is ESE at 5mph 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 Siesta Beach is 0-1ft, produced by a 0.9ft NW primary swell at 4s, a 0.3ft E wind swell swell at 1s. 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 Siesta Beach is Monday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 1ft waves, a 2.85s swell period, and conditions rated Very Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Siesta Beach works best with a W swell and E 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 Siesta 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.
Siesta Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Siesta Beach offers gentle, rolling beach breaks on Florida's Gulf Coast, making it an ideal spot for beginners and cruisers looking to develop their skills in warm, forgiving waters. The fine, quartz sand bottom provides a soft landing and allows for forgiving wipeouts, while the south-facing orientation captures distant Southern Hemisphere swells that push up through the Gulf during autumn months. This popular recreational beach attracts plenty of swimmers and sunbathers alongside surfers, creating a social atmosphere but requiring awareness and respect for non-surfing beachgoers.
The prime season at Siesta 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 Siesta Beach include heavy crowds, swimmers and beachgoers, soft/mushy waves in summer. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Siesta 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.
