St. Thomas and St. John Beaches: rip current risk and surf forecast

U.S. Virgin IslandsNWS zone VIZ001NWS San Juan PR

Rip current risk today: Low. Life-threatening rip currents are not expected, but they can still form near groins, jetties, reefs and piers. Swim near a lifeguard.

Surf around 2 feet. Buoy LAMV3, 10 mi out, measured 87 °F water. Sunset 6:16 PM.

Rip current risk: LowToday
Surf: Around 2 feetForecast
Water: 87 °FBuoy LAMV3
Sunset: 6:16 PMAST

Rip current risk on the map

Today’s rip current risk in every surf zone the National Weather Service forecasts for over St. Thomas and St. John 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 St. Thomas and St. John 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 343 AM AST, 9/22/2026.

Today Today

Low rip current risk

Rip current risk: Low
Surf: Around 2 feet
Weather: Partly sunny. Scattered showers
Wind: East winds 10 to 15 mph

Tomorrow Wednesday

Low rip current risk

Rip current risk: Low
Surf: Around 2 feet
Weather: Mostly sunny. Isolated showers
Wind: East winds around 15 mph

The surf zone forecast, period by period

St Thomas, St John and adjacent islands VI. Issued 3:43 AM AST on Tue, Sep 22 by the National Weather Service in San Juan PR.

Today

Rip Current Risk: Low
Surf Height: Around 2 feet
Weather: Partly sunny. Scattered showers
Winds: East winds 10 to 15 mph

Wednesday

Rip Current Risk: Low
Surf Height: Around 2 feet
Weather: Mostly sunny. Isolated showers
Winds: East winds around 15 mph

Thursday

Surf height around 4 feet. Mostly sunny. Scattered showers. East winds around 15 mph.

Friday

Surf height around 3 feet. Partly sunny. Scattered showers. East winds around 15 mph.

Saturday

Surf height around 4 feet. Mostly sunny. Isolated showers. East winds around 15 mph.

The office's notes on this forecast

Rip Current Risk Category * Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however, life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins, jetties, reefs, and piers. * Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the surf zone. * High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf zone.

The product as issued

FZCA52 TJSJ 220743
SRFSJU

Surf Zone Forecast for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
National Weather Service San Juan PR
343 AM AST Tue Sep 22 2026

PRZ001-222200-
San Juan and Vicinity PR-
Including the beaches of Carolina, San Juan and Toa Baja
343 AM AST Tue Sep 22 2026

.TODAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Low. 
Surf Height.................Around 3 feet. 
Weather.....................Mostly sunny until 12 PM, then mostly 
                            cloudy. Numerous showers with isolated 
                            thunderstorms. 
Winds.......................East winds 5 to 10 mph. 

.WEDNESDAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Low. 
Surf Height.................Around 3 feet. 
Weather.....................Mostly sunny. Scattered showers. 
Winds.......................East winds 10 to 15 mph. 

.THURSDAY...Surf height around 4 feet. Partly sunny. Scattered
showers with isolated thunderstorms. East winds around 10 mph. 
.FRIDAY...Surf height around 4 feet. Mostly sunny. Isolated showers.
Southeast winds around 10 mph. 
.SATURDAY...Surf height around 4 feet. Sunny. Isolated showers. East
winds around 10 mph.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

$$

PRZ002-222200-
Northeast PR-
Including the beaches of Rio Grande, Luquillo, Fajardo and Humacao
343 AM AST Tue Sep 22 2026

.TODAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Low. 
Surf Height.................Around 3 feet. 
Weather.....................Partly sunny. Scattered showers with 
                            isolated thunderstorms. 
Winds.......................Southeast winds around 10 mph. 

.WEDNESDAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Low. 
Surf Height.................Around 3 feet. 
Weather.....................Partly sunny until 9 AM, then mostly 
                            sunny. Scattered showers. 
Winds.......................East winds around 10 mph. 

.THURSDAY...Surf height around 5 feet. Partly sunny. Scattered
showers with isolated thunderstorms. East winds around 10 mph. 
.FRIDAY...Surf height around 4 feet. Partly sunny. Scattered showers
with isolated thunderstorms. Southeast winds around 10 mph. 
.SATURDAY...Surf height around 4 feet. Mostly sunny. Isolated
showers. East winds around 10 mph.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

$$

PRZ005-222200-
North Central PR-
Including the beaches of Arecibo, Manati, Vega Baja, 
Vega Alta and Dorado
343 AM AST Tue Sep 22 2026

.TODAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Low. 
Surf Height.................Around 3 feet. 
Weather.....................Mostly sunny until 3 PM, then mostly 
                            cloudy. Numerous showers with isolated 
                            thunderstorms. 
Winds.......................East winds 5 to 10 mph. 

.WEDNESDAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Low. 
Surf Height.................Around 3 feet. 
Weather.....................Sunny until 12 PM, then partly sunny. 
                            Scattered showers with isolated 
                            thunderstorms. 
Winds.......................East winds around 5 mph, increasing to 
                            around 15 mph in the afternoon. 

.THURSDAY...Surf height around 5 feet. Mostly sunny. Scattered
showers with isolated thunderstorms. East winds around 10 mph. 
.FRIDAY...Surf height around 4 feet. Mostly sunny. Scattered showers
with isolated thunderstorms. East winds around 10 mph. 
.SATURDAY...Surf height around 4 feet. Mostly sunny. Scattered
showers. East winds around 5 mph.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

$$

PRZ008-222200-
Northwest PR-
Including the beaches of Aguadilla, Camuy, Isabela and Quebradillas
343 AM AST Tue Sep 22 2026

.TODAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Low. 
Surf Height.................Around 3 feet. 
Weather.....................Sunny until 12 PM, then mostly cloudy. 
                            Scattered showers with isolated 
                            thunderstorms. 
Winds.......................East winds around 5 mph. 

.WEDNESDAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Low. 
Surf Height.................Around 3 feet. 
Weather.....................Sunny until 12 PM, then mostly cloudy. 
                            Scattered showers with isolated 
                            thunderstorms. 
Winds.......................East winds 5 to 10 mph. 

.THURSDAY...Surf height around 4 feet. Mostly sunny. Numerous
showers with isolated thunderstorms. East winds around 5 mph. 
.FRIDAY...Surf height around 4 feet. Mostly sunny. Scattered showers
with isolated thunderstorms. East winds around 5 mph. 
.SATURDAY...Surf height around 4 feet. Mostly sunny. Scattered
showers. East winds around 5 mph.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

$$

PRZ010-222200-
Mayaguez and Vicinity PR-
Including the beaches of Aguada, Anasco and Rincon
343 AM AST Tue Sep 22 2026

.TODAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Low. 
Surf Height.................Around 2 feet. 
Weather.....................Sunny until 12 PM, then cloudy. Showers 
                            with isolated thunderstorms. 
Winds.......................East winds around 5 mph. 

.WEDNESDAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Low. 
Surf Height.................Around 2 feet. 
Weather.....................Sunny until 12 PM, then partly sunny. 
                            Scattered showers with isolated 
                            thunderstorms. 
Winds.......................East winds around 5 mph. 

.THURSDAY...Surf height around 3 feet. Mostly sunny. Numerous
showers with isolated thunderstorms. East winds around 5 mph. 
.FRIDAY...Surf height around 3 feet. Mostly sunny. Scattered showers
with isolated thunderstorms. East winds around 5 mph. 
.SATURDAY...Surf height around 4 feet. Mostly sunny. Scattered
showers. East winds around 5 mph.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

$$

PRZ011-222200-
Southwest PR-
Including the beaches of Cabo Rojo, Guanica and Lajas
343 AM AST Tue Sep 22 2026

.TODAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Low. 
Surf Height.................Around 2 feet. 
Weather.....................Mostly sunny until 3 PM, then mostly 
                            cloudy. Scattered showers with isolated 
                            thunderstorms. 
Winds.......................East winds around 10 mph. 

.WEDNESDAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Low. 
Surf Height.................Around 2 feet. 
Weather.....................Sunny. Scattered showers. 
Winds.......................East winds 10 to 15 mph. 

.THURSDAY...Surf height around 2 feet. Sunny. Isolated showers.
Southeast winds around 10 mph. 
.FRIDAY...Surf height around 2 feet. Sunny. Isolated showers.
Southeast winds around 10 mph. 
.SATURDAY...Surf height around 2 feet. Sunny. East winds around
10 mph.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

$$

PRZ007-222200-
Ponce and Vicinity PR-
Including the beaches of Guayanilla and Ponce
343 AM AST Tue Sep 22 2026

.TODAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Low. 
Surf Height.................Around 2 feet. 
Weather.....................Mostly sunny. Scattered showers with 
                            isolated thunderstorms. 
Winds.......................Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph. 

.WEDNESDAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Low. 
Surf Height.................Around 2 feet. 
Weather.....................Sunny. Scattered showers. 
Winds.......................East winds 5 to 10 mph. 

.THURSDAY...Surf height around 2 feet. Mostly sunny. Isolated
showers. East winds around 10 mph. 
.FRIDAY...Surf height around 2 feet. Sunny. Isolated showers. East
winds around 10 mph. 
.SATURDAY...Surf height around 2 feet. Sunny. Isolated showers. East
winds around 10 mph.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

$$

PRZ003-222200-
Southeast PR-
Including the beaches of Arroyo, Guayama, Maunabo, 
Patillas and Yabucoa
343 AM AST Tue Sep 22 2026

.TODAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Low. 
Surf Height.................Around 2 feet. 
Weather.....................Mostly sunny. Scattered showers. 
Winds.......................East winds around 10 mph. 

.WEDNESDAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Low. 
Surf Height.................Around 2 feet. 
Weather.....................Sunny. Isolated showers. 
Winds.......................East winds around 10 mph. 

.THURSDAY...Surf height around 2 feet. Mostly sunny. Isolated
showers. East winds around 10 mph. 
.FRIDAY...Surf height around 3 feet. Mostly sunny. Scattered
showers. East winds around 10 mph. 
.SATURDAY...Surf height around 3 feet. Mostly sunny. Isolated
showers. East winds around 10 mph.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

$$

PRZ012-222200-
Culebra PR-
343 AM AST Tue Sep 22 2026

.TODAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Low. 
Surf Height.................Around 2 feet. 
Weather.....................Partly sunny. Scattered showers. 
Winds.......................East winds around 10 mph. 

.WEDNESDAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Low. 
Surf Height.................Around 3 feet. 
Weather.....................Mostly sunny. Scattered showers. 
Winds.......................East winds around 15 mph. 

.THURSDAY...Surf height around 5 feet. Partly sunny. Scattered
showers. East winds around 15 mph. 
.FRIDAY...Surf height around 5 feet. Partly sunny. Scattered showers
with isolated thunderstorms. East winds around 10 mph. 
.SATURDAY...Surf height around 4 feet. Mostly sunny. Scattered
showers. East winds around 10 mph.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

$$

PRZ013-222200-
Vieques PR-
343 AM AST Tue Sep 22 2026

.TODAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Low. 
Surf Height.................Around 2 feet. 
Weather.....................Mostly sunny. Scattered showers. 
Winds.......................East winds around 10 mph. 

.WEDNESDAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Low. 
Surf Height.................Around 3 feet. 
Weather.....................Partly sunny until 9 AM, then mostly 
                            sunny. Scattered showers. 
Winds.......................East winds around 15 mph. 

.THURSDAY...Surf height around 4 feet. Partly sunny. Scattered
showers. East winds around 10 mph. 
.FRIDAY...Surf height around 3 feet. Partly sunny. Scattered showers
with isolated thunderstorms. East winds around 10 mph. 
.SATURDAY...Surf height around 3 feet. Mostly sunny. Isolated
showers. East winds around 10 mph.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

$$

VIZ001-222200-
St Thomas, St John and adjacent islands VI-
343 AM AST Tue Sep 22 2026

.TODAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Low. 
Surf Height.................Around 2 feet. 
Weather.....................Partly sunny. Scattered showers. 
Winds.......................East winds 10 to 15 mph. 

.WEDNESDAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Low. 
Surf Height.................Around 2 feet. 
Weather.....................Mostly sunny. Isolated showers. 
Winds.......................East winds around 15 mph. 

.THURSDAY...Surf height around 4 feet. Mostly sunny. Scattered
showers. East winds around 15 mph. 
.FRIDAY...Surf height around 3 feet. Partly sunny. Scattered
showers. East winds around 15 mph. 
.SATURDAY...Surf height around 4 feet. Mostly sunny. Isolated
showers. East winds around 15 mph.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

$$

VIZ002-222200-
St Croix VI-
343 AM AST Tue Sep 22 2026

.TODAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Low. 
Surf Height.................Around 2 feet. 
Weather.....................Partly sunny. Scattered showers. 
Winds.......................East winds around 10 mph. 

.WEDNESDAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Low. 
Surf Height.................Around 3 feet. 
Weather.....................Mostly sunny. Scattered showers. 
Winds.......................East winds around 15 mph. 

.THURSDAY...Surf height around 3 feet. Mostly sunny. Isolated
showers. East winds around 15 mph. 
.FRIDAY...Surf height around 3 feet. Mostly sunny. Isolated showers.
East winds around 15 mph. 
.SATURDAY...Surf height around 3 feet. Mostly sunny. Isolated
showers. East winds around 15 mph.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.


$$

The water now, measured

Buoy LAMV3, 9751381 - Lameshur Bay, St John, VI, 10 mi away, reported 3:48 AM.

Water temperature: 87 °F
Air temperature: 83 °F

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

Water Bay, 1.2 mi away. Feet above mean lower low water.

Low tide12:29 AM0.7 ft
High tide4:34 AM0.8 ft
Low tide10:50 AM0.4 ft
High tide6:05 PM1.3 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 Water Bay.

Sun and daylight

Sunrise today: 6:08 AM
Sunset today: 6:16 PM
Sunrise tomorrow: 6:09 AM
Sunset tomorrow: 6:15 PM

Times are Atlantic Standard Time. Lifeguards are off duty outside posted hours, and the rip current risk does not fall with the light.

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 SJU, issued 343 AM AST, 9/22/2026. 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 VIZ001.