For more than a decade, Tanker Surf Charters has helped surfers across the globe experience one of the most memorable wave-riding adventures of their lives.
The tankers traversing Galveston Bay here on the upper Texas coast create rideable, well-formed waves that can produce the longest rides imaginable—in some cases longer than 10 minutes on a single pulse.
Tanker Surf Charters has the local knowledge to put you and your crew in the best possible position to catch the longest and most memorable waves of your life.
Book your charter with us today.
Or contact Captain James Fulbright via email at james@tankersurfcharters.com for more information.
We are now booking charters for the 2026 season! Typically, favorable conditions occur from June through September. FYI-favorable conditions are primarily wind speeds less than 8 knots sustained. It’s all about wind speed and not wind direction. Wind kills the tanker waves and also makes it difficult, if not impossible for the boat Captain to keep up with the ships, as they traverse the ship channel.
Another factor I keep having to mention is a participants skill level. If you think catching and riding tanker waves is easy, you are dead wrong. Over the 3 decades + I have been both a tanker surfer and a tanker surf charter Captain, I have had to witness surfers who fudged on being honest with themselves and being dishonest when filling out their booking form. If you are not an upper intermediate to advanced longboard surfer, please do not book a charter. Tanker surfing can be very dangerous and is a challenging wave to catch and ride, despite videos you may have seen online and/or in films. Please do not take it too personal if I do not allow you to book a charter. It is for your safety, as well as mine and the others.
This season is shaping up to be a good one. The only issue I must point out is that foil riders are taking over the bay and for the most part, have no respect for surfers. Be aware you may be having to share waves with foilboarders. I do not allow foil riders to book a charter and I do not allow SUP riders as well. It has always been like that. Unless you are alone and willing to pay for the entire charter, as well as you are not needing to be towed into the wave, I am not able to accommodate you and your equipment. Tanker surfing is a world class longboard wave. I supply the boards, as I always have.
I am having to increase the charter fees this year, due to a significant increase in fuel costs. I have not increased the charter fee over the years but the amount of fuel an all day charter burns, forces my hand. I am sure you can understand.
Lastly, you are still required to fill out a booking form and are requited to commit to a 3 day window. The 2 windows are Monday-Wednesday or a Wednesday-Friday. I still do not book charters on weekends or holidays.
Cheers from Captain Fulbright