
Surf Forecasts:
South Padre Island surf forecast from 4 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 7 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period, ESE swell with 64 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 6s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 07) at 7PM. 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 | 7PM (Fri 7th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 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 – the next 16 days for South Padre Island are looking pretty grim if you're hoping to get a wave. The whole stretch is a long, flat, and choppy run.
Starting right now, on Monday the 3rd of August, it's poor. The swell is a weak 2ft coming from the SE, with a short, choppy 3-second period. The combined energy is a paltry 17, and a 19 mph cross-on wind from the SE is just shredding it. We're in for a solid week of this. Day after day, the swell stays under 3ft, the period is mostly a pathetic 4 to 6 seconds, and the wind is either a moderate or fresh cross-onshore. It's blown out, lumpy, and choppy. There's really nothing to get excited about.
The water temp is 83°F, which is about normal for this time of year, so you can't even blame the cold for the lack of surf.
The only hint of a change shows up on the 18th of August, Tuesday afternoon. The combined energy jumps to 129 (moderate energy), and the swell period stretches to 8 seconds from the ESE. That's a little more period, but the swell height is still only 3ft, and the wind is a fresh cross-onshore at 19 mph. The wave comment still says "poor surf conditions."
Honestly, there is no standout session here. Not one. The setup is so consistently cross-onshore with weak, short-period swell that this is a stretch to even call it a surf forecast. With the wind and the small, crumbly waves, this would be a better time to rig up a kite than paddle out. It's a blank run, and for this area, that's not unusual when the wind is stuck in the southeast.
Stay patient, keep an eye on the forecasts – they can change – but for now, I'd leave the board at home.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Tue afternoon, min 27°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri morning. Warm (max 28°C on Thu afternoon, min 27°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Thu afternoon, light winds from the SE by Fri night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 4 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | SE 5 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | E 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 5 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
9 | 17 | 20 | 32 | 27 | 29 | 26 | 43 | 39 | 56 | 53 | 46 | 62 | 40 | 24 | 34 | 34 | 30 | 42 | 32 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 7:43PM0.44m | 6:45AM0.50m | 10:23PM0.46m | 6:30AM0.51m | 5:46AM0.54m | 3:30AM0.59m | 3:49AM0.65m | 4:26AM0.68m | ||||||||||||
Low Tide | 00:36AM0.38m | 2:17PM0.26m | 00:51AM0.45m | 3:09PM0.20m | 4:09PM0.14m | 5:14PM0.08m | 6:20PM0.03m | 7:23PM-0.01m | ||||||||||||
— | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | |
8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:10 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
Feels °C | 29 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | ESE 9 | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 9 | ESE 6 | E 9 | E 9 | E 6 | — | — |
8 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 24 | 2 | 2 | 30 | — | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 9 | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 3 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 4 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | SE 5 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | — | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | — | ESE 6 | ESE 5 |
9 | 17 | 20 | 32 | 27 | 29 | 26 | 43 | 39 | 56 | 53 | 46 | 62 | 40 | — | 34 | 34 | — | 42 | 32 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 991 | 971 | 974 | 1063 | 971 | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1073 | 971 | 974 | 991 | 971 | 974 | 1059 | 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.











