Surf Forecasts:
South Padre Island surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s period, ESE swell with 40 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 0.8m 6s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 4PM. 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 Friday (Aug 28) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for South Padre Island over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you—this 16-day stretch for South Padre Island is a tough one. The whole run is plagued by tiny, weak swell and almost constant onshore or cross-onshore winds. There’s simply no decent surf on offer. Wave heights barely tickle 3 ft at best, and the period is short, meaning the energy just isn’t there. The combined swell energy stays weak, mostly in the 10–30 range, barely nudging just over 100 on a couple of days in early September, but even then it’s a mess. The water temp is sitting at 85°F, which is about average for this time of year, so at least a dip won’t shock you.
From now through to the end of the 16 days, every single forecast period is labelled “poor surf conditions.” The wind is almost always from the SE or SSE, blowing cross-on or onshore, kicking up chop and lumpy conditions. The swell direction is mostly ESE or SE, and the optimum for South Padre is ESE, so direction isn’t the issue—it’s the lack of size and the dirty wind. On Wednesday, September 9th, the swell bumps up to 4 ft in the morning and 5 ft in the afternoon, with moderate energy (104 and 167), but the wind is fresh cross-onshore, making it choppy and lumpy. That’s the only time the energy gets moderate, but the quality is still poor. It’s a beach/jetty setup that’s inconsistent at the best of times, and this run is a real dry spell. Honestly, if you’re into kiting, those strong SE winds might be more your thing than paddling.
There’s nothing to get excited about here. Forecasts can change, but right now, this is a blank. Keep an eye on things, but don’t hold your breath.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Wed afternoon, min 27°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Thu afternoon, light winds from the SE by Sat morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 29°C on Sun morning, min 28°C on Sat afternoon). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 8 | SE 3 | SE 4 | SE 3 | SSE 4 | SE 4 | ESE 3 | SE 4 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | ESE 9 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 7 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 3 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 18 | 23 | 21 | 28 | 23 | 20 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 5:12AM0.54m | 2:08PM0.50m | 5:15AM0.52m | 3:17PM0.50m | 5:16AM0.50m | 4:24PM0.50m | 5:15AM0.48m | 5:36PM0.50m | 5:10AM0.48m | 7:00PM0.50m | 5:01AM0.49m | 8:53PM0.51m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:13PM0.15m | 10:07AM0.46m | 9:48PM0.18m | 10:21AM0.41m | 10:23PM0.22m | 10:44AM0.36m | 10:59PM0.28m | 11:14AM0.31m | 11:35PM0.34m | 11:50AM0.25m | 00:12AM0.41m | 12:34PM0.20m | 00:51AM0.48m | |||||||
 |  | | | | | | | |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — |
 | 7:54 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:49 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 32 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 33 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | SE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 6 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | ESE 9 | E 8 | E 8 | SE 8 | E 8 |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | — | — | — | — | E 8 | — | — | S 4 | SE 5 | SE 6 | ENE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 7 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 8 | — | SE 5 | E 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | 1 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 3 | SE 3 | SE 4 | SE 3 | SSE 4 | SE 4 | ESE 3 | SE 4 | SE 4 | ESE 3 | ESE 3 | — | ESE 3 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 |
| kJ | 2 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 3 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | 5 | 10 | 18 | 23 | 21 | 28 | 23 | 20 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1051 | 971 | 974 | 1063 | 971 | 974 | 1016 | 971 | 974 | 1062 | 971 |
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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.
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