Florida - West Coast
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Sunset Beach for the cleanest windows.
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Sunset 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.
Tue, Jun 30: flat–flatft, 3s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — Flat and very poor with barely a breath of wind. Afternoon breeze fills in to 10mph.
Wed, Jul 1: flat–flatft, 4s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — Flat and very poor conditions with light winds out of the ENE.
Thu, Jul 2: flat–flatft, 2s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — Flat waves and very poor conditions with moderate E wind around 7mph.
Fri, Jul 3: flat–flatft, 6s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — Flat and mostly very poor with gentle SSW breeze. Afternoon breeze fills in to 10mph.
Sat, Jul 4: flat–flatft, 6s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — Flat and very poor with light winds out of the SE.
Sunset Beach is a mellow shoreline break on florida - west coast, situated on a barrier island near Treasure Island in Pinellas County, facing WNW into the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf's shallow continental shelf generally keeps wave energy small and gentle, but late summer tropical systems and fall cold fronts can push surprisingly rideable swells into this west-facing stretch of coast. The long, uncrowded sandy shore makes it an approachable spot for beginners and longboarders looking to practice on soft, rolling Gulf waves.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Sunset Beach is Flat with a 3.05s swell period. Wind is W 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 Sunset Beach is Flat, produced by a 0.3ft NW wind swell swell at 3s. 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 Sunset Beach is Tuesday from 11 AM to 2 PM with 0ft waves, a 3.05s swell period, and conditions rated Very Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Sunset Beach works best with a WNW swell and ESE 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 Sunset 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.
Sunset Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Sunset Beach is a mellow shoreline break on florida - west coast, situated on a barrier island near Treasure Island in Pinellas County, facing WNW into the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf's shallow continental shelf generally keeps wave energy small and gentle, but late summer tropical systems and fall cold fronts can push surprisingly rideable swells into this west-facing stretch of coast. The long, uncrowded sandy shore makes it an approachable spot for beginners and longboarders looking to practice on soft, rolling Gulf waves.
The prime season at Sunset 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 Sunset Beach include rip currents, jellyfish, stingrays, 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 Sunset 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
