Surf Forecasts:
South Padre Island surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s period, E swell with 95 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 1.1m 6s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (CDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for South Padre Island over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, grab a cold one and listen up. Rusty here, and I gotta be straight with you – the next two and a half weeks down here are looking pretty grim for getting a decent wave.
We’ve got a long, painful stretch ahead for South Padre. From now, Thursday the 10th, all the way through to Thursday the 24th of September, the forecast is just a write-off. It's a mix of small, weak slop with periods barely cracking 6 seconds and winds that are either cross or cross-onshore, just messing up what little bump there is. The combined energy is weak, often dipping below 100, and the water, when we get the reading, is a warm 85°F which is about what you’d expect for this time of year. It’s just not worth paddling out for that 2ft of junk.
Finally, on Friday morning the 25th, things look like they might line up. The wind is set to go glassy at dawn, which is a huge positive – that’ll clean things right up. We’ll have a 3ft swell sneaking in from the ENE with a 6-second period. The combined energy hits 68, which is still in the weak zone but it's our best shot. It's a small-wave day for sure; the beginner-friendly break at South Padre Island (beach/jetty) might actually have a couple of fun ones if you get out early before that moderate ESE wind kicks in. It’s usually inconsistent here, so don’t expect a party, and the crowds can sometimes show up for the smallest bit of clean surf. For a beach break like this, that short period swell will be a bit disorganised, but with the glassy surface, it’s the only window that’s worth even a glance. It’s not a stand-out, but it’s the only game in town.
After that, it looks like it gets messy again. Honestly, this stretch is more about finding other things to do than surfing. Keep an eye on it though, because it tends not to stay this flat for long.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Fri morning, min 28°C on Thu night). Mainly strong winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 30°C on Mon afternoon, min 28°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 5 | SE 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 4 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | ESE 4 | ESE 5 | ESE 6 | SE 6 | ESE 5 | ESE 6 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | E 5 | E 6 | E 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 30 | 47 | 61 | 25 | 47 | 26 | 19 | 19 | 27 | 27 | 32 | 44 | 39 | 46 | 28 | 17 | 21 | 32 | 29 | 29 | 64 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | on | on |
High Tide | 4:37AM0.47m | 4:09PM0.56m | 4:33AM0.45m | 5:23PM0.55m | 4:23AM0.46m | 6:41PM0.54m | 4:07AM0.48m | 8:16PM0.53m | 10:55PM0.54m | 2:15AM0.56m | 2:37AM0.57m | ||||||||||
Low Tide | 9:52AM0.33m | 10:52PM0.28m | 10:27AM0.27m | 11:35PM0.36m | 11:06AM0.21m | 00:14AM0.44m | 11:49AM0.18m | 00:49AM0.49m | 12:35PM0.16m | 00:56AM0.53m | 1:27PM0.17m | 2:26PM0.18m | |||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |  | |  | | | |
 | 7:11 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — |
 | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:32 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 4 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 |
Feels °C | 29 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 30 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | ENE 6 | E 6 | E 5 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | E 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | E 8 | ESE 6 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 5 | E 9 | — |
| kJ | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 6 | 17 | 8 | 8 | 29 | 2 | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | — | — | E 8 | E 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 9 | SSE 7 | — | E 9 | SE 9 | — |
| kJ | 2 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 5 | — | 2 | 3 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | E 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 9 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 5 | SE 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 4 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | ESE 4 | ESE 5 | ESE 6 | SE 6 | ESE 5 | — | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | — | E 6 | E 5 |
| kJ | 30 | 47 | 61 | 25 | 47 | 26 | 19 | 19 | 27 | 27 | 32 | 44 | 39 | 46 | 28 | — | 21 | 32 | — | 29 | 64 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1063 | 971 | 974 | 1005 | 971 | 974 | 999 | 971 | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1063 | 971 | 974 | 1063 | 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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