
Surf Forecasts:
South Padre Island surf forecast from 31 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 6 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period, SE swell with 61 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 Thursday (Aug 06) 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 Monday (Aug 03) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Thu 6th 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 – this is a tough one for South Padre Island. The whole 16-day window is a bit of a washout for us surfers. I’ve looked it over, and the truth is, there’s nothing on the cards that’s worth paddling out for. The swell is just too small and the wind is a constant headache.
The problem starts right from the get-go and never lets up. We’re looking at a solid fortnight-plus of small, weak, wind-affected surf. The wind is almost always coming from the southeast, smacking the beach cross-onshore, keeping the surface lumpy and choppy. You’ll see a few days where the swell tries to bump up, like around August 10th and 12th, with a combined energy of 79 and 76 (moderate wave energy), but it’s all coming from a short period of 5 to 6 seconds. That’s just wind swell, and with the south-easterlies blowing 18 to 22 mph at the same time, it’s going to be a messy, bumpy mess. The water temp is a warm 83°, which is about average for the time of year, so that’s the only thing in your favour if you just want a float.
Forget about any standout sessions. You’d be best off leaving the boards in the car and maybe taking the kite out, because the setup is more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. It’s a long, bleak run – almost the entire 16 days with no real surf. That’s the reality of this spot sometimes. It’s inconsistent, and right now, the forecasts are showing us a blank run. We’ll just have to wait and hope the next system brings something better.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Fri morning, min 27°C on Fri morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Sat afternoon, light winds from the SSE by Sun morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Tue afternoon, min 27°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | |||||||||||||||
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 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | ESE 3 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 5 | ESE 5 | ESE 4 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | SE 6 | ESE 4 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
16 | 25 | 11 | 12 | 41 | 21 | 10 | 6 | 24 | 8 | 36 | 26 | 15 | 40 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 44 | 25 | 61 | 19 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 3:22PM0.49m | 6:52AM0.53m | 4:37PM0.46m | 6:52AM0.51m | 5:59PM0.45m | 6:50AM0.50m | 7:43PM0.44m | 6:45AM0.50m | 10:23PM0.46m | 6:30AM0.51m | 5:46AM0.54m | 3:30AM0.59m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 12:02PM0.46m | 11:12PM0.19m | 12:26PM0.42m | 11:41PM0.25m | 12:57PM0.37m | 00:09AM0.31m | 1:33PM0.31m | 00:36AM0.38m | 2:17PM0.26m | 00:51AM0.45m | 3:09PM0.20m | 4:09PM0.14m | |||||||||
6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | |
— | 8:16 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:13 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
Feels °C | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 33 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 27 | 29 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | — | — | — | SE 5 | E 9 | E 10 | SE 6 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | ESE 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | — | ESE 6 | SE 6 | — |
1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 10 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 17 | 8 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 25 | 61 | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 9 | SE 7 | E 9 | E 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 4 | — | ESE 3 | SE 6 | S 3 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 5 | ESE 5 | ESE 4 | ESE 6 | — | ESE 6 | ESE 4 |
16 | 25 | 11 | 12 | 41 | 21 | — | 6 | 24 | 2 | 36 | 26 | 15 | 40 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 44 | — | 37 | 19 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1187 | 971 | 157 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1103 | 971 | 974 | 1514 | 971 | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1062 | 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.











