Surf Forecasts:
South Padre Island surf forecast from 30 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 5 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 7s period, SE swell with 144 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 Wednesday (Aug 05) 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 (Wed 5th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 7s |
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. Over the next 16 days, the truth is, the surf is just not cooperating. We’re looking at a long stretch of small, choppy, cross-onshore slop that’s going to be a tough paddle for not much reward. The water temp is sitting at 83°F which is about average for the time of year, so at least the water’s warm.
The first day we’ve got anything to even talk about is Wednesday, July 29th, and it’s a poor start. South Padre Island, a beach and jetty setup, is dealing with a 3ft swell from the SE, but with a period of just 4 seconds and the wind howling out of the SE at 22 mph, it’s a bumpy, lumpy mess. The combined energy is a weak 42, so there’s just no push. You’re better off staying on the sand.
That pattern just keeps going. Thursday the 30th, Friday the 31st, Saturday the 1st of August – it’s all the same story. Small waves, mostly 2ft to 3ft, with period dropping as low as 4 seconds and a persistent cross-onshore wind. The water is staying clean, but the conditions are just poor. The combined energy stays in the teens and low 30s, which is whisper quiet.
We get a little bump in size on Wednesday the 5th of August, with the swell reaching 4ft from the SE, and the combined energy jumps to 198, which is a moderate push. But the period is still only 6 seconds, and the wind is still cross-onshore from the SSE at 16 mph. The waves are there, but they’re going to be choppy and hard to ride. Thursday the 6th holds a little better energy at 122, but again, the wind is a factor.
The second week isn’t any kinder. The swell stays between 2ft and 4ft, the period never gets above 6 seconds, and the wind is a constant cross-onshore or onshore from the SE or SSE. By Wednesday the 12th, the wind is howling at 25 mph from the SE, making it a strong cross-onshore mess. The combined energy drops back into the 30s and 40s.
Honestly, there is not a single standout day in this 16-day window. The wind is just never going our way, and the swell is too short-period and weak to do much with. If you’re a beginner, the 3ft days might be okay for a mess-around, but it’s not going to be fun. For anyone else, this is a flat spell. It’s a tough stretch, but it tends not to stay this poor for long, and forecasts can change. For now, keep the board in the car and the beer cold.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Wed afternoon, min 27°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sat afternoon, min 27°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Sat afternoon, light winds from the ESE by Sun morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SE 4 | SE 6 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | ESE 10 | SE 4 | SE 6 | SE 5 | ESE 6 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 36 | 25 | 25 | 29 | 24 | 14 | 29 | 16 | 21 | 41 | 18 | 21 | 34 | 35 | 15 | 19 | 38 | 50 | 65 | 75 |
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 | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 6:43AM0.57m | 2:05PM0.51m | 6:50AM0.55m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:11PM0.11m | 11:50AM0.50m | 10:42PM0.15m | 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 | |||||||
 |  | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | |  |  | | |
 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — |
 | 8:17 | — | — | 8:17 | — | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 34 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 28 | 29 | 32 | 31 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | SE 6 | E 11 | E 10 | SE 6 | ESE 10 | — | E 9 | — | — |
| kJ | 6 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 20 | 2 | 2 | 15 | 19 | — | 2 | — | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 9 | — | — | E 10 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 10 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 6 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SSE 5 | SE 6 | SE 6 | — | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 6 | SE 5 | ESE 6 |
| kJ | 36 | 25 | 25 | 29 | 24 | 14 | 29 | 16 | 21 | 41 | 18 | 21 | 34 | 35 | — | 12 | 38 | 50 | 65 | 75 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1062 | 971 | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1077 | 991 | 104 | 1013 | 61 | 157 | 974 | 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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