Surf Forecasts:
South Padre Island surf forecast from 13 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 7s period, SE swell with 151 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 1.3m 7s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 1PM. 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 | 1PM (Sat 15th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for South Padre Island over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's going on down at South Padre Island.
To be straight with you, we're looking at a tough stretch ahead. The first solid recommendation for a surf doesn't show up until August 15th, so we've got a quiet couple of days before anything worth paddling out for. From now through the 14th, the waves are small and the wind is a persistent cross-onshore mess, making for poor, lumpy conditions.
The first bit of hope comes on Saturday morning, August 15th. We’re seeing a bump in energy, with the combined swell energy hitting 82 (moderate), but the swell is still a weak 3 ft from the ESE with a short, snappy period of 6 seconds. The wind is still cross-onshore out of the SE at 16 mph, so it’ll be choppy. The afternoon does see the swell height bump to 4 ft and the period stretches to 7 seconds, with the energy jumping to 201 (moderate), but that onshore wind kicks up to 16 mph from the ESE, so the quality won't be there. Still, this is the first window with any real push.
The standout, and I mean this as the *only* real standout, is Saturday afternoon, August 15th at South Padre Island (beach/jetty). It's a beach and jetty setup, exposed to the swell coming from the ESE. The swell is 4 ft (which is small but rideable for beginners here) and the combined energy is 201 (moderate). The wind is a moderate cross-onshore at 13 mph from the ESE, so it’s not clean. It's inconsistent here, so you'll be waiting, but it's the most energy we see in the whole forecast.
After that, it’s a long, bleak run. From Sunday the 16th right through Thursday the 28th of August, the swell drops off and the energy is weak, with values mostly below 100. The wind stays mostly cross-onshore or onshore, with occasional spells of gentler breezes. There's serious gaps of days at a time with no real recommendation. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing unusual.
Given the persistent onshore wind and messy conditions on a beach setup, honestly, this looks more like a window for a kite surfer to have some fun than for a pure paddle surfer to get clean lines. Hang tight, or look elsewhere.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Thu morning, min 27°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sun morning, min 27°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSE on Mon morning, fresh winds from the SE by Tue afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | |||||||||||||||
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 5 | SE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | SE 7 | ESE 6 | SE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 52 | 74 | 75 | 63 | 68 | 65 | 85 | 131 | 44 | 75 | 81 | 35 | 20 | 32 | 37 | 15 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 53 | 40 |
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 | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 3:13PM0.56m | 6:22AM0.51m | 4:38PM0.54m | 6:20AM0.48m | 6:05PM0.52m | 6:11AM0.47m | 7:45PM0.49m | 5:55AM0.48m | 10:13PM0.49m | 5:28AM0.51m | 4:42AM0.54m | ||||||||||
Low Tide | 10:40AM0.48m | 11:01PM0.13m | 11:12AM0.41m | 11:47PM0.23m | 11:53AM0.33m | 00:26AM0.32m | 12:40PM0.27m | 00:57AM0.41m | 1:33PM0.22m | 00:54AM0.48m | 2:30PM0.20m | 3:32PM0.18m | |||||||||
 | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:58 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — |
 | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:05 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:01 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 |
Feels °C | 29 | 29 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 32 | 29 | 29 | 31 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 7 | — | SE 6 | ESE 7 | — | ESE 6 | — | E 10 | E 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | E 9 | ESE 8 | E 9 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 131 | — | 75 | 81 | — | 20 | — | 2 | 7 | 18 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 1 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 6 | SE 5 | SE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | — | ESE 6 | — | ESE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 |
| kJ | 52 | 74 | 75 | 63 | 68 | 65 | 85 | 73 | 44 | 42 | — | 35 | — | 32 | 37 | 15 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 53 | 40 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1062 | 971 | 974 | 1062 | 971 | 971 | 1201 | 971 | 974 | 1201 | 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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