Galveston Island Beaches: rip current risk and surf forecast
The National Weather Service does not issue a surf zone forecast for these beaches. This page carries the alerts, the buoy, the tides and the forecast for these beaches instead.
Buoy GRRT2, 3.9 mi out, measured 89 °F water. Sunset 7:17 PM.
- Rip current risk
- Not givenNo forecast in issue
- Water
- 89 °FBuoy GRRT2
- Sunset
- 7:17 PMCDT
Rip current risk on the map
Today’s rip current risk in every surf zone the National Weather Service forecasts for over Galveston Island 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 force1
Beach hazards statements, high surf advisories, rip current statements and every other National Weather Service product in force for zone TXZ438.
Air Quality Alertuntil Tue 7:00 PM
Air Quality Alert issued September 21 at 2:57PM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX
AQAHGX The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has issued an Ozone Action Day for the Houston, Galveston, and Brazoria area for Tuesday, September 22, 2026. Atmospheric conditions are expected to be favorable for producing high levels of ozone pollution in the Houston, Galveston, and surrounding areas on Tuesday. You can help prevent ozone pollution by sharing a ride, walking, riding a bicycle, taking your lunch to work, avoiding drive through lanes, conserving energy and keeping your vehicle properly tuned. For more information on ozone: Ozone: The Facts www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/ozonefacts.html EPA AirNow: www.airnow.gov/?city=Houston&state=TX&country=USA Take Care of Texas: www.takecareoftexas.org/conservation-tips/keep-our-air-clean
The surf zone forecast
The National Weather Service office responsible for these beaches does not issue a surf zone forecast, so there is no official rip current risk here. It does issue beach hazards statements and rip current statements when the water turns dangerous; any in force are shown above, and the buoy, the tides and the town forecast below describe the conditions.
The water now, measured
Buoy GRRT2, 8771486 - Galveston RR Bridge, TX, 3.9 mi away, reported 8:54 PM.
- Water temperature
- 89 °F
- Air temperature
- 85 °F
- Wind
- 5 kt from the SE
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.
Tides today
Galveston Railroad Bridge, 3.9 mi away. Feet above mean lower low water.
- High tide6:25 AM1.7 ft
- Low tide8:21 PM0.4 ft
Low tide often exposes the sandbars and channels that shape rip currents, and the risk can run higher for an hour or two either side of it. Full tide table for Galveston Railroad Bridge.
Sun and daylight
- Sunrise today
- 7:08 AM
- Sunset today
- 7:17 PM
- Sunrise tomorrow
- 7:08 AM
- Sunset tomorrow
- 7:16 PM
Times are Central Daylight Time. Lifeguards are off duty outside posted hours, and the rip current risk does not fall with the light.
Beaches in this forecast
- Galveston
- Jamaica Beach
- Galveston Island 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 rip currents are likely. The surf zone is dangerous for swimmers of every level. Stay out of the water. |
|---|---|
| Moderate | Life-threatening rip currents are possible. Swim near a lifeguard, and follow the beach patrol and its flags. |
| Low | Life-threatening rip currents are not expected, but they can still form near groins, jetties, reefs and piers. 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 HGX. 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 TXZ438.