Van Buren County Beaches: swim risk and surf forecast

MichiganNear South Haven, Van Buren CountyNWS zone MIZ071NWS Grand Rapids, MI

Swim risk today: Low. The risk to swimmers is low, but life-threatening conditions can still occur near piers, groins and river mouths. Swim near a lifeguard.

Surf 1 to 3 feet, water in the upper 50s. Buoy 45168, 4.4 mi out, measured 60 °F water and 2.0 ft waves. Sunset 7:46 PM.

Swim risk: LowToday
Surf: 1 to 3 feetForecast
Water: In the upper 50sForecast
Sunset: 7:46 PMEDT

Rip current risk on the map

Today’s rip current risk in every surf zone the National Weather Service forecasts for over Van Buren County Beaches. Open it for the live map, where it pans and zooms.

Open the live map with rip current risk

Map layer from NOAA National Weather Service surf zone forecasts. Boundaries from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet.

Alerts in force

No beach hazards statement, high surf advisory or other warning is in force for Van Buren County Beaches. Those are the products a coastal office issues when the water turns dangerous. When one is issued it appears here and on the alerts page for this area.

Today and tomorrow

From the National Weather Service beach forecast, issued 223 PM EDT, 9/20/2026.

Today Rest of today

Low swim risk

Swim risk: Low
Surf: 1 to 3 feet
Water temperature: In the upper 50s
UV index: Low
High temperature: In the mid 60s
Weather: Cloudy. Showers likely
Wind: Northeast winds around 15 mph

UV index 2 or less. Little danger for most people.

Tomorrow Monday

Moderate swim risk

Swim risk: Moderate
Surf: 2 to 4 feet subsiding to 1 to 3 feet in the late morning and afternoon
High temperature: In the mid 60s
Weather: Mostly cloudy
Wind: Northeast winds around 15 mph

The surf zone forecast, period by period

Van Buren. Issued 2:23 PM EDT on Sun, Sep 20 by the National Weather Service in Grand Rapids, MI.

Rest of today

Swim Risk: Low
Wave Height: 1 to 3 feet
Wave Period: 4 seconds
UV Index: Low
Water Temperature: In the upper 50s
Weather: Cloudy. Showers likely
High Temperature: In the mid 60s
Winds: Northeast winds around 15 mph
Sunrise: 7:29 AM
Sunset: 7:48 PM

Monday

Swim Risk: Moderate
Wave Height: 2 to 4 feet subsiding to 1 to 3 feet in the late morning and afternoon
Wave Period: 5 seconds
Weather: Mostly cloudy
High Temperature: In the mid 60s
Winds: Northeast winds around 15 mph
Sunrise: 7:30 AM
Sunset: 7:46 PM

The days after

Tuesday. Low swim risk*. Waves 1 to 3 feet. Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 60s. Northeast winds around 15 mph.

Wednesday. Low swim risk*. Waves 1 to 3 feet. Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 60s. Northeast winds around 15 mph.

Thursday. Low swim risk*. Waves 1 foot or less. Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 60s. East winds 10 to 15 mph.

The office's notes on this forecast

Swim Risk Category * Low Risk - Large waves and dangerous currents are not expected, however dangerous currents may exist at any time near piers, breakwalls, and river outlets. * Moderate Risk - Breaking waves and currents are expected. Stay away from dangerous areas like piers, breakwalls, and river outlets. Always have a flotation device with you in the water. * High Risk - Life-threatening waves and currents are expected. Stay out of the water and stay away from dangerous areas like piers and breakwalls.

The product as issued

FZUS53 KGRR 201823
SRFGRR

Surf Zone Forecast for West Michigan
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
223 PM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026

MIZ037-210300-
Mason-
Including the beaches of Ludington State Park and Stearns Park
223 PM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026

.REST OF TODAY...
Swim Risk*..................High. 
Wave Height.................4 to 6 feet. 
Wave Period.................6 seconds. 
UV Index....................Low. 
Water Temperature...........In the mid 60s. 
Weather.....................Partly sunny. 
High Temperature............In the upper 60s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds around 20 mph. 
Sunrise.....................7:30 AM. 
Sunset......................7:50 PM.

.MONDAY...
Swim Risk*..................Low. 
Wave Height.................1 to 3 feet. 
Wave Period.................5 seconds. 
Weather.....................Partly sunny. 
High Temperature............In the mid 60s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds around 15 mph. 
Sunrise.....................7:31 AM. 
Sunset......................7:48 PM.

.EXTENDED...
.TUESDAY...Low swim risk*. Waves 1 to 3 feet. Partly sunny. Highs in
the mid 60s. Northeast winds around 15 mph. 
.WEDNESDAY...Low swim risk*. Waves around 1 foot. Sunny. Highs in the
upper 60s. East winds 10 to 15 mph. 
.THURSDAY...Low swim risk*. Waves 1 foot or less. Sunny. Highs in the
upper 60s. East winds around 10 mph.

&&

Swim Risk Category
* Low Risk - Large waves and dangerous currents are not expected,
however dangerous currents may exist at any time near piers,
breakwalls, and river outlets.
* Moderate Risk - Breaking waves and currents are expected. Stay away
from dangerous areas like piers, breakwalls, and river outlets.
Always have a flotation device with you in the water.
* High Risk - Life-threatening waves and currents are expected. Stay
out of the water and stay away from dangerous areas like piers and
breakwalls.

$$

MIZ043-210300-
Oceana-
Including the beaches of Charles Mears State Park and Silver Lake
State Park
223 PM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026

.REST OF TODAY...
Swim Risk*..................High. 
Wave Height.................3 to 5 feet. 
Wave Period.................6 seconds. 
UV Index....................Low. 
Water Temperature...........In the mid 60s. 
Weather.....................Partly sunny. 
High Temperature............In the upper 60s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds around 15 mph. 
Sunrise.....................7:30 AM. 
Sunset......................7:50 PM.

.MONDAY...
Swim Risk*..................Low. 
Wave Height.................1 to 3 feet. 
Wave Period.................5 seconds. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy until 4 PM, then mostly 
                            sunny. 
High Temperature............In the mid 60s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds around 15 mph. 
Sunrise.....................7:31 AM. 
Sunset......................7:48 PM.

.EXTENDED...
.TUESDAY...Low swim risk*. Waves 1 to 3 feet. Partly sunny. Highs in
the mid 60s. Northeast winds around 15 mph. 
.WEDNESDAY...Low swim risk*. Waves 1 to 3 feet. Sunny. Highs in the
mid 60s. East winds around 15 mph. 
.THURSDAY...Low swim risk*. Waves 1 foot or less. Mostly sunny. Highs
in the upper 60s. East winds 10 to 15 mph.

&&

Swim Risk Category
* Low Risk - Large waves and dangerous currents are not expected,
however dangerous currents may exist at any time near piers,
breakwalls, and river outlets.
* Moderate Risk - Breaking waves and currents are expected. Stay away
from dangerous areas like piers, breakwalls, and river outlets.
Always have a flotation device with you in the water.
* High Risk - Life-threatening waves and currents are expected. Stay
out of the water and stay away from dangerous areas like piers and
breakwalls.

$$

MIZ050-210300-
Muskegon-
Including the beaches of Muskegon State Park, Pere Marquette Park, 
PJ Hoffmaster State Park, and Duck Lake State Park
223 PM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026

.REST OF TODAY...
Swim Risk*..................Low. 
Wave Height.................Around 1 foot. 
Wave Period.................3 seconds. 
UV Index....................Low. 
Water Temperature...........Around 70. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy. 
High Temperature............In the upper 60s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds around 15 mph. 
Sunrise.....................7:29 AM. 
Sunset......................7:48 PM.

.MONDAY...
Swim Risk*..................Low. 
Wave Height.................1 to 3 feet. 
Wave Period.................3 seconds. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy until 5 PM, then mostly 
                            sunny. 
High Temperature............In the mid 60s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds around 20 mph. 
Sunrise.....................7:30 AM. 
Sunset......................7:47 PM.

.EXTENDED...
.TUESDAY...Low swim risk*. Waves 1 to 3 feet. Partly sunny. Highs in
the mid 60s. Northeast winds around 20 mph. 
.WEDNESDAY...Low swim risk*. Waves 1 to 3 feet. Sunny. Highs in the
mid 60s. East winds 15 to 20 mph. 
.THURSDAY...Low swim risk*. Waves 1 foot or less. Mostly sunny. Highs
in the mid 60s. East winds 10 to 15 mph.

&&

Swim Risk Category
* Low Risk - Large waves and dangerous currents are not expected,
however dangerous currents may exist at any time near piers,
breakwalls, and river outlets.
* Moderate Risk - Breaking waves and currents are expected. Stay away
from dangerous areas like piers, breakwalls, and river outlets.
Always have a flotation device with you in the water.
* High Risk - Life-threatening waves and currents are expected. Stay
out of the water and stay away from dangerous areas like piers and
breakwalls.

$$

MIZ056-210300-
Ottawa-
Including the beaches of Grand Haven State Park and Holland State
Park
223 PM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026

.REST OF TODAY...
Swim Risk*..................Low. 
Wave Height.................1 to 3 feet. 
Wave Period.................3 seconds. 
UV Index....................Low. 
Water Temperature...........In the mid 60s. 
Weather.....................Cloudy. A slight chance of showers. 
High Temperature............In the upper 60s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds around 15 mph. 
Sunrise.....................7:29 AM. 
Sunset......................7:48 PM.

.MONDAY...
Swim Risk*..................Low. 
Wave Height.................1 to 3 feet. 
Wave Period.................3 seconds. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy until 5 PM, then mostly 
                            sunny. 
High Temperature............In the mid 60s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds around 20 mph. 
Sunrise.....................7:30 AM. 
Sunset......................7:46 PM.

.EXTENDED...
.TUESDAY...Low swim risk*. Waves 1 to 3 feet. Partly sunny. Highs in
the lower 60s. Northeast winds around 20 mph. 
.WEDNESDAY...Low swim risk*. Waves 1 to 3 feet. Mostly sunny. Highs
in the mid 60s. East winds 15 to 20 mph. 
.THURSDAY...Low swim risk*. Waves around 1 foot. Mostly sunny. Highs
in the mid 60s. East winds 10 to 15 mph.

&&

Swim Risk Category
* Low Risk - Large waves and dangerous currents are not expected,
however dangerous currents may exist at any time near piers,
breakwalls, and river outlets.
* Moderate Risk - Breaking waves and currents are expected. Stay away
from dangerous areas like piers, breakwalls, and river outlets.
Always have a flotation device with you in the water.
* High Risk - Life-threatening waves and currents are expected. Stay
out of the water and stay away from dangerous areas like piers and
breakwalls.

$$

MIZ064-210300-
Allegan-
Including the beaches of Saugatuck Dunes State Park and Oval Beach
223 PM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026

.REST OF TODAY...
Swim Risk*..................Low. 
Wave Height.................1 to 3 feet. 
Wave Period.................3 seconds. 
UV Index....................Low. 
Water Temperature...........In the mid 60s. 
Weather.....................Cloudy. A chance of showers. 
High Temperature............In the mid 60s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds around 15 mph. 
Sunrise.....................7:29 AM. 
Sunset......................7:48 PM.

.MONDAY...
Swim Risk*..................Low. 
Wave Height.................1 to 3 feet. 
Wave Period.................4 seconds. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy. 
High Temperature............In the mid 60s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds around 20 mph. 
Sunrise.....................7:30 AM. 
Sunset......................7:46 PM.

.EXTENDED...
.TUESDAY...Low swim risk*. Waves 1 to 3 feet. Mostly sunny. Highs in
the mid 60s. Northeast winds around 20 mph. 
.WEDNESDAY...Low swim risk*. Waves 1 to 3 feet. Mostly sunny. Highs
in the mid 60s. East winds 15 to 20 mph. 
.THURSDAY...Low swim risk*. Waves 1 foot or less. Mostly sunny. Highs
in the mid 60s. East winds 10 to 15 mph.

&&

Swim Risk Category
* Low Risk - Large waves and dangerous currents are not expected,
however dangerous currents may exist at any time near piers,
breakwalls, and river outlets.
* Moderate Risk - Breaking waves and currents are expected. Stay away
from dangerous areas like piers, breakwalls, and river outlets.
Always have a flotation device with you in the water.
* High Risk - Life-threatening waves and currents are expected. Stay
out of the water and stay away from dangerous areas like piers and
breakwalls.

$$

MIZ071-210300-
Van Buren-
Including the beaches of South Haven and Van Buren State Park
223 PM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026

.REST OF TODAY...
Swim Risk*..................Low. 
Wave Height.................1 to 3 feet. 
Wave Period.................4 seconds. 
UV Index....................Low. 
Water Temperature...........In the upper 50s. 
Weather.....................Cloudy. Showers likely. 
High Temperature............In the mid 60s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds around 15 mph. 
Sunrise.....................7:29 AM. 
Sunset......................7:48 PM.

.MONDAY...
Swim Risk*..................Moderate. 
Wave Height.................2 to 4 feet subsiding to 1 to 3 feet in 
                            the late morning and afternoon. 
Wave Period.................5 seconds. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy. 
High Temperature............In the mid 60s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds around 15 mph. 
Sunrise.....................7:30 AM. 
Sunset......................7:46 PM.

.EXTENDED...
.TUESDAY...Low swim risk*. Waves 1 to 3 feet. Partly sunny. Highs in
the mid 60s. Northeast winds around 15 mph. 
.WEDNESDAY...Low swim risk*. Waves 1 to 3 feet. Mostly sunny. Highs
in the mid 60s. Northeast winds around 15 mph. 
.THURSDAY...Low swim risk*. Waves 1 foot or less. Mostly sunny. Highs
in the mid 60s. East winds 10 to 15 mph.

&&

Swim Risk Category
* Low Risk - Large waves and dangerous currents are not expected,
however dangerous currents may exist at any time near piers,
breakwalls, and river outlets.
* Moderate Risk - Breaking waves and currents are expected. Stay away
from dangerous areas like piers, breakwalls, and river outlets.
Always have a flotation device with you in the water.
* High Risk - Life-threatening waves and currents are expected. Stay
out of the water and stay away from dangerous areas like piers and
breakwalls.


$$

The water now, measured

Buoy 45168, South Haven Buoy, MI, 4.4 mi away, reported 2:30 PM.

Waves: 2.0 ft at 3 seconds from the NNW
Water temperature: 60 °F
Air temperature: 62 °F
Wind: 12 kt from the NE

From NOAA's National Data Buoy Center. Wave height is the significant height, the average of the highest third; the largest waves run half again as high. Offshore buoys read bigger than the surf at the beach.

Sun and daylight

Sunrise today: 7:31 AM
Sunset today: 7:46 PM
Sunrise tomorrow: 7:32 AM
Sunset tomorrow: 7:44 PM

Times are Eastern Daylight Time. Lifeguards are off duty outside posted hours, and the swim risk does not fall with the light.

Beaches in this forecast

South Haven
Van Buren State Park

As the National Weather Service lists them in its surf zone forecast.

What this means

The three levels the National Weather Service issues, and what to do at each.

High	Life-threatening conditions are likely, and dangerous for swimmers of every level. Stay out of the water.
Moderate	Life-threatening conditions for swimmers are possible. Swim near a lifeguard, and follow the beach patrol and its flags.
Low	The risk to swimmers is low, but life-threatening conditions can still occur near piers, groins and river mouths. Swim near a lifeguard.

If a rip current carries you out

Do not fight the current. It pulls you away from the beach, not under the water.
Stay calm and keep your head above water. Float or tread water until the pull eases.
Swim parallel to the beach, along the shore, until you are out of the current, then angle in toward the beach.
If you cannot escape, face the shore, wave your arms and call for help.
If someone else is caught, do not go in after them. Get a lifeguard, call 911, and throw them something that floats.

Thunderstorms and lightning

Thunderstorms build fast over water on a summer afternoon. Water and open sand leave you the tallest thing around. When thunder roars, go indoors: leave the water and the beach for a building or a hard-topped vehicle, and wait 30 minutes after the last thunder before going back.

A rip current is a narrow stream of water flowing away from the beach, through the surf and past the breakers. It pulls swimmers out, not under. Rip current and lightning safety guidance from the National Weather Service.

Nearby

The stretches of shore the National Weather Service forecasts on either side of this one.

More for this place

Sources

Rip current risk, surf, water temperature and UV from the National Weather Service surf zone forecast and beach forecast, office GRR, issued 223 PM EDT, 9/20/2026. Original at NWS. Waves and water temperature measured by NOAA's National Data Buoy Center. Tides from NOAA CO-OPS. Alerts from the National Weather Service for zone MIZ071.