South Padre Island Surf Break

Lat Long: 26.67° N 97.29° W

South Padre Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 am 09 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's South Padre Island sea temperature is
29.1° C
0.4° 

South Padre Island surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


South Padre Island surf forecast from 9 Aug 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 7s period, SE swell with 122 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 Sunday (Aug 16) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (CDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful 1PM (Sun 16th Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 7s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for South Padre Island over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let me be straight with you about the next 16 days for South Padre Island. It’s a rough look. There’s a massive gap at the start with no decent surf, and the first real chance doesn't come until the very end.

From the 9th of August right through to the 23rd, it’s a long, dry spell. The wind is just wrong, blowing onshore or cross-onshore from the SE almost every day. The swell is tiny, mostly under 3 feet, with a short period of 4 to 6 seconds. That’s just wind chop. The combined energy is weak, barely hitting triple digits (42) on the 10th afternoon, but it’s all lumpy and blown out. Water temp is a warm 85°, which is normal for the season, but you won’t be in the water much. This is a beach/jetty setup, and with that wind, it’s honestly looking more like a kite-surfing zone than a place to paddle.

The only glimmer of hope is on the morning of Monday, the 24th of August. South Padre Island is inconsistent, so a blank stretch like this is more normal for the area, but it’s still frustrating.

The one standout—and really the only one—is South Padre Island. On the morning of the 24th, we’ve got a 4-foot swell coming from the SE with a 6-second period. The combined energy hits 120 (moderate), the best we’ll see. The wind is a light 10 km/h cross-onshore, which is a gentle breeze that should keep the surface pretty clean. The swell direction is SE, close to the optimum ESE. It’s small enough for beginners, but the 6-second period means long lulls between sets. The afternoon looks choppier with a 4-foot swell and a moderate breeze.

So, if you’re keen, that Monday morning window is your only play. Everything else is a no-go. Keep an eye on it, because it usually doesn’t stay this flat for long.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 29°C on Mon morning, min 27°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SE on Sun morning, fresh winds from the SE by Mon afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 29°C on Fri afternoon, min 28°C on Wed morning). Mainly fresh winds.

Sunday
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
E
5
0.5
E
5
0.7
E
5
0.7
ESE
6
0.9
ESE
5
0.9
SE
5
0.7
ESE
5
0.9
SE
5
0.9
SE
4
1.1
SE
6
1.4
SE
6
1.1
SE
6
1.1
SE
6
1.2
SE
6
1
ESE
6
1
ESE
6
1.1
ESE
6
1.1
ESE
6
1
ESE
6
1
ESE
7
0.9
ESE
6
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
7
13
27
31
42
35
23
36
29
69
120
92
88
109
68
73
97
88
82
85
66
Wind (km/h)
10
SE
20
E
25
SE
25
SSE
35
SE
30
SE
20
SE
30
SE
30
SSE
30
SSE
35
SE
35
SSE
30
SSE
35
SE
30
SSE
30
SE
25
SE
25
SSE
25
SE
20
SE
25
SSE
Wind State
cross-on
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
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
5:03AM0.68m
5:36AM0.66m
6:01AM0.61m
1:39PM0.57m
6:16AM0.56m
3:13PM0.56m
6:22AM0.51m
4:38PM0.54m
6:20AM0.48m
6:05PM0.52m
Low Tide
7:23PM-0.01m
8:23PM-0.02m
9:19PM0.00m
10:26AM0.55m
10:12PM0.05m
10:40AM0.48m
11:01PM0.13m
11:12AM0.41m
11:47PM0.23m
11:53AM0.33m
00:26AM0.32m
clear
clear
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:56
6:58
6:58
6:58
6:58
7:00
7:00
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:10
8:09
8:08
8:07
8:07
8:07
8:06
 mm
1
1
1
Temp °C
28
28
28
29
29
28
29
29
28
28
28
28
28
28
28
28
29
28
29
29
28
Feels °C
32
29
29
29
28
29
30
30
30
29
27
29
29
28
28
29
31
29
31
32
30
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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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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