
Surf Forecasts:
South Padre Island surf forecast from 2 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 7 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 6s period, SE swell with 128 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for South Padre Island this week:
The most powerful waves expected at South Padre Island in the next 16 days are 1.3m 6s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 07) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 3s period and expected on Monday (Aug 03) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Fri 7th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for South Padre Island over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here, and I’ve gotta be straight with you – the outlook for South Padre Island over the next 16 days is a tough one. We’re looking at a long stretch of small, wind-affected surf with no real standout windows. The water temperature is sitting at 83°, which is bang on average for this time of year, so at least you won’t need a wetsuit.
The first surf recommendation doesn’t come until Sunday morning, August 2nd, and honestly, it’s a flat start. We’re looking at a tiny 1 ft swell from the southeast with a short 5-second period, and combined wave energy is a weak 12. The wind is a light cross-shore from the SSE at 3 mph, which keeps things clean but there’s just no power. The wave comment says “poor surf conditions,” and that’s the story for the entire 16-day run. From Sunday afternoon through to Monday, August 17th, every single session shows small, weak swell – mostly between 1 ft and 4 ft – with periods rarely above 6 seconds, and cross-on or cross winds that leave the surface choppy, lumpy, or messy. The combined wave energy values are mostly in the two-digit range (weak) with a few hitting the low 100s (moderate), like on Friday afternoon, August 7th, when it hits 145, but even then, the swell is only 3 ft and the wind is onshore from the ESE.
There’s no standout session here. The best you might hope for is a quick look at the Friday afternoon, August 7th, with that 3 ft SE swell and 7-second period, but the wind is onshore, so it’s not going to be clean. The break itself is a beach/jetty setup, exposed to swell, but it’s inconsistent and only rated for beginners. With the small, weak swell and persistent cross-onshore winds, this setup honestly looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. The guidance shows the optimum swell direction is ESE, and we do see a few swells from that direction, but the size and wind just aren’t cooperating.
It’s a blank run, folks. Forecasts can change, but as it stands, we’ve got 16 days of poor surf. Keep an eye on the charts, but don’t hold your breath.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Sun afternoon, min 27°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SE on Sun morning, fresh winds from the SE by Mon afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 29°C on Wed morning, min 27°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 5 | SE 3 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 6 | SE 4 | ESE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | ESE 6 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
10 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 28 | 19 | 15 | 37 | 23 | 32 | 31 | 40 | 49 | 85 | 75 | 124 | 70 | 55 | 75 | 50 | 48 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 5:59PM0.45m | 6:50AM0.50m | 7:43PM0.44m | 6:45AM0.50m | 10:23PM0.46m | 6:30AM0.51m | 5:46AM0.54m | 3:30AM0.59m | 3:49AM0.65m | ||||||||||||
Low Tide | 12:57PM0.37m | 00:09AM0.31m | 1:33PM0.31m | 00:36AM0.38m | 2:17PM0.26m | 00:51AM0.45m | 3:09PM0.20m | 4:09PM0.14m | 5:14PM0.08m | 6:20PM0.03m | |||||||||||
6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | |
— | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:10 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 34 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 5 | SE 9 | ESE 6 | E 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | ESE 9 | E 8 | E 9 | — | — | ESE 6 | — | — | SE 7 | — | — | ESE 6 | — | — |
10 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 40 | — | — | 124 | — | — | 75 | — | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | — | E 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
2 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 3 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 6 | SE 4 | ESE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 |
— | 8 | 12 | 14 | 28 | 19 | 15 | 37 | 23 | 32 | 31 | 40 | 49 | 85 | 75 | 64 | 70 | 55 | 48 | 50 | 48 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 104 | 981 | 971 | 974 | 1274 | 971 | 974 | 1115 | 971 | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1077 | 971 | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 999 | 971 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Texas | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the South Padre Island Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for South Padre Island provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at South Padre Island can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our South Padre Island surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (South Padre Island) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for South Padre Island may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
South Padre Island is 66 km (41 miles) from Harlingen. If you plan a vacation in Texas, look for hotels and other accommodation in Harlingen. Harlingen has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











