Surf Forecasts:
South Padre Island surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 7s period, SE swell with 100 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 7s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) 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 (Sat 18th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 7s |
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 about what’s happening in the water down at South Padre Island. The next couple of weeks are looking pretty grim for a proper paddle session, so temper those expectations.
Right now, through the first week and into the second, we’re staring down a long stretch of mostly small, weak, and choppy conditions. The wind is a constant problem, blowing fresh and cross-onshore from the SSE or SE, keeping the surface lumpy and messy. The swell is tiny, with heights barely creeping above 2 ft, and the period is short, meaning no real push or shape. The combined swell energy is weak, sitting in the low double digits for most of this period. It’s a tough run for any surfer looking for a clean wave.
The only glimmer, and I mean a faint one, pops up right at the end of the outlook. On Saturday, August 1st, the morning shows a bit of a pulse. Swell height picks up to 4 ft from the ESE with a period of 8 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to 178 (moderate). It’s still cross-onshore from the SSE at 35 km/h, so it’s going to be lumpy, but at least there’s some real bump in the water. For a beach break that’s inconsistent like South Padre, this is the one morning in the whole 16 days that has a bit of life. It’s small enough for beginners but still a handful for the size, and the wind will be a battle. It’s a long way out, so don’t bet the house on it, but it’s the only window worth keeping an eye on.
For the rest of the time, with the constant cross-onshore wind and weak, short-period swell, this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no worries there.
Stay patient, check the forecasts, and don’t force it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Fri morning, min 27°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Mon afternoon, min 26°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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 6 | SE 6 | ESE 5 | ESE 6 | SE 7 | SE 5 | SE 6 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | ESE 9 | SE 4 | SE 5 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | ESE 9 | SE 4 | E 9 | ESE 9 | SE 4 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 73 | 85 | 61 | 67 | 100 | 47 | 47 | 36 | 25 | 14 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 11 |
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-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 | 8:03AM0.54m | 5:14PM0.51m | 8:05AM0.50m | 7:03PM0.47m | 7:57AM0.48m | 9:22PM0.45m | 7:40AM0.49m | 7:08AM0.51m | 5:54AM0.54m | 5:01AM0.57m | |||||||||||
Low Tide | 12:55PM0.46m | 00:50AM0.20m | 1:42PM0.38m | 1:31AM0.31m | 2:37PM0.30m | 2:00AM0.41m | 3:35PM0.24m | 4:32PM0.20m | 5:26PM0.16m | 6:15PM0.14m | |||||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:46 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — |
 | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | E 11 | E 10 | — | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 6 | E 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ESE 9 | E 8 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | — | 9 | 7 | 7 | 16 | 3 | 6 | 16 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 1 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 9 | SE 7 | E 9 | ESE 9 | — | — | ESE 9 | — | — | ESE 9 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 2 | 7 | 8 | — | — | 8 | — | — | 8 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 6 | SE 6 | ESE 5 | ESE 6 | SE 7 | SE 5 | SE 6 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | ESE 3 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 3 | SE 3 | SE 4 | ESE 3 | SE 4 | SE 4 | ESE 3 | SE 4 |
| kJ | 73 | 85 | 61 | 67 | 100 | 47 | 47 | 36 | 25 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 7 | 11 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 971 | 1062 | 971 | 971 | 1062 | 971 | 971 | 974 | 971 | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1062 | 971 | 974 | 1059 | 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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