Surf Forecasts:
South Padre Island surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 5s period, ESE swell with 41 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 0.9m 5s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (CDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for South Padre Island over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get real about South Padre Island. Look, I’ve been staring at this stretch for a while now, and honestly, it’s a tough run. The next couple of weeks are looking mostly flat and messy, with very little to get excited about.
We kick off on Friday, August 28th, and it’s a total write-off. Tiny 1ft SE windswell with a short, weak 4-second period, and that light cross-onshore breeze is just making for small, crumbly wind ripples. The water temp is sitting at a warm 84°, which is pretty average for this time of year, so at least you won’t need a spring suit, but there’s nothing to ride.
That pretty much sets the tone. Saturday and Sunday are equally sad, with even smaller surf and that persistent cross-onshore wind picking up through the afternoons. The wave energy is barely registering (single digits for most of these days). It’s not until Monday, August 31st, that we see a tiny bump, but it’s still blown out and poor.
The whole first week is a wash. There is a solid gap of poor to non-existent surf. The only flicker of something different shows up on Saturday, September 5th afternoon, where the wind finally goes straight onshore from the east. The swell stays weak at 3ft, but that offshore wind direction change is a start.
Then, we hit a bit of a wildcard. On Sunday, September 6th, a morning risk of thunderstorms brings a cross-offshore breeze from the NNW at 12 mph. It cleans things up, but the swell is still just 2-3ft from the east with a short period. It’s not good, but it’s clean.
The real event, and I mean the only thing that might be worth a look for the experienced crew, shows up on Thursday, September 10th. South Padre Island (Texas) gets a morning pulse of 5-6ft swell from the southeast, with a moderate 7-second period. The combined swell energy hits a moderate 253, and for the first time in two weeks, we get a clean, cross-offshore breeze from the southwest at 9 mph. That’s your standout. It’s the only morning in the whole forecast that’s clean and has some size. But keep in mind, the water temp is still around 84°, and with that size, the beach/jetty setup can get a bit dumpy on the sandbars. It’s not a beginner wave at that height.
The rest of that second week is a mess again. Friday and Saturday are blown out by strong southerly winds, with lumpy, cross-shore chop making it pretty much unsurfable. By the time we get to the end of the run, the wind is howling and the swell is either too small or completely out of control.
So, bottom line: you’re waiting all the way until Thursday, September 10th morning for your best shot. Before that, it’s a long, flat, and frustrating stretch. It’s been a quiet pattern, and these things can change, but right now, the forecast is telling a pretty grim story for consistent waves.
Stay patient, and keep an eye on that Thursday window.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 29°C on Sun morning, min 27°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SE on Fri morning, fresh winds from the SE by Sun afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Mon morning, min 28°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | |||||||||||||||
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 4 | E 8 | SE 3 | E 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | ESE 9 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 5 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 16 | 12 | 15 | 22 | 25 | 41 | 33 | 21 | 20 | 24 | 31 | 32 | 23 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | 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 | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 4:40AM0.51m | 00:18AM0.55m | 2:06AM0.60m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 1:27PM0.16m | 1:42AM0.55m | 2:31PM0.12m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | |  | | | | | | |  | |  | | | | |
 | 7:05 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — |
 | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 33 | 30 | 30 | 32 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 32 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 4 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | ESE 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | — | ESE 6 | ESE 5 | — |
| kJ | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 31 | 32 | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | SE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 2 | SE 3 | — | SE 3 | SE 3 | SE 4 | ESE 3 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 5 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | ESE 6 | — | — | ESE 5 |
| kJ | — | 1 | 3 | — | 3 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 16 | 12 | 15 | 22 | 25 | 41 | 33 | 21 | 20 | 24 | — | — | 23 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1051 | 971 | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1062 | 971 | 974 | 1055 | 971 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Texas | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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