Surf Forecasts:
South Padre Island surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 5s period, SE swell with 47 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 5s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) 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 0.2m 2s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for South Padre Island over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, my salty crew. Let's talk South Padre Island. I'm looking at the long-term picture, and I gotta be straight with you: it's a baked-in, sixteen-day drought for any kind of decent paddle surf. We are stuck in a pattern of ankle-biting, wind-scratched junk. The wave energy readings are pathetic, mostly in the weak zone (like 9, 27, 50), so there's just no guts or shape to the lines. It's a tough pill to swallow.
We got a massive gap right off the bat. The first real chance to paddle out would be Wednesday morning, August 19th, but I wouldn't get your hopes up. You're looking at ankle-slappers around 0ft 7in from the ESE, with a cross-onshore wind out of the SSE at 12 mph churning it up. 'Poor surf conditions' is the technical term for it. The rest of that week is a write-off. Swell gets up to a whopping 3ft 6in on Thursday the 20th, but it's all junked by a strong cross-onshore breeze from the SE at 25 mph. Not worth the paddle-out.
Next week is more of the same blue-balls routine. The mornings around August 23rd and 24th have the lightest wind, a gentle breeze, but the swell is a miserable 1ft 3in from the SE with a 5-second period. The ocean is basically whispering. The water temps are normal for the time of year, so you can't even use that as an excuse.
As we roll into the end of August and early September, I'm sorry to say the story doesn't change. The wave energy stays anemic—mostly single and low double-digit numbers (e.g., 8, 16, 34). There's a tease on the afternoon of August 25th with a 9-second period, but it's on a 0ft 7in wave. Surfing it would be like wrestling a wet noodle. By September 2nd and 3rd, the forecast is just a broken record of 'poor surf conditions' with tiny swells, short periods, and cross-onshore winds. It’s a brutal, boring, 16-day lull.
Bottom line: there is not a single standout day in this window. Not one. If you're desperate, drag out the log and a high tolerance for disappointment, but honestly, this constant SE wind makes the jetty setup look way more fun for a kite than a paddle. For us wave riders, all I can say is hang tough. Forecasts can flip, but this kind of blank stretch is just what we're dealing with right now.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Thu morning, min 27°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Fri night, min 27°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 8 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | ESE 3 | SE 4 | SE 4 | ESE 9 | SE 3 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 7 | 17 | 14 | 24 | 47 | 25 | 25 | 38 | 22 | 17 | 12 | 12 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 5 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 4:42AM0.54m | 4:07AM0.57m | 4:10AM0.58m | 4:21AM0.59m | 4:35AM0.59m | 4:47AM0.59m | 4:57AM0.57m | ||||||||||||||
Low Tide | 3:32PM0.18m | 4:36PM0.17m | 5:37PM0.16m | 6:31PM0.15m | 7:17PM0.14m | 7:59PM0.13m | 8:37PM0.14m | ||||||||||||||
 | |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 7:01 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — |
 | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 31 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 33 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | E 9 | SE 9 | E 8 | E 9 | — | E 9 | E 8 | — | — | SE 5 | E 8 | E 8 | SE 5 | S 4 | E 9 | SE 4 | ESE 9 | E 9 |
| kJ | 7 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 7 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 1 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | — | — | E 10 | SE 9 | E 8 | E 9 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 10 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 3 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 4 | — | SE 4 | SE 4 | — | ESE 3 | SE 4 | — | ESE 4 | SE 3 |
| kJ | 2 | 17 | 14 | 24 | 47 | 25 | 25 | 38 | 22 | 17 | 12 | 12 | — | 10 | 8 | — | 7 | 6 | — | 8 | 5 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 992 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1201 | 992 | 974 | 971 | 971 | 971 | 999 | 971 | 974 | 1063 | 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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