
Surf Forecasts:
South Padre Island surf forecast from 4 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 7 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s period, SE swell with 82 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 6s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 07) at 10AM. 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 | 10AM (Fri 7th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 6s |
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 South Padre Island. The whole 16-day window is a tough one. We’ve got a long dry spell on our hands with no real surf to speak of, so don’t rush to wax up just yet.
Looking at the whole picture, it’s a persistent run of onshore and cross-onshore breezes, with the wind blowing from the SSE and SE, churning up the water. The swell is small and weak, hanging around 2 ft to 4 ft, coming from the SE and ESE. The periods are short, mostly 4 to 6 seconds, so it’s all wind swell with no push. The combined energy never gets going; we’re looking at weak readings in the 20s and 30s for most of the first week, with only a few days in the second week nudging into the low triple digits, like 109 or 106, but it’s still paired with poor conditions.
The water temperature is about average for the time of year, nothing to write home about.
The first spot we’d even consider, South Padre Island (beach/jetty), is an inconsistent break that rarely lines up. It’s a beginner-friendly spot, but the swell is tiny and the wind is wrong. From Tuesday 4th August right through the whole first week, it’s all “poor surf conditions” with cross-onshore winds from 9 to 22 mph. The wave comment is consistently “poor surf conditions,” and the score is zero across the board. The swell is a pathetic 2 ft to 3 ft, with periods of 4 to 6 seconds, and energy barely cracking 30 or 40. It’s choppy, lumpy, and not worth a paddle.
The second week doesn’t get much better. From Thursday 13th August onward, the swell picks up a little, hitting 4 ft to 4 ft from the ESE, with periods creeping up to 6 or 7 seconds. The energy finally gets into the 100s, like 109 on Friday 14th August afternoon, but the wind is still cross-onshore, blowing 12 to 19 mph. The wave comment stays “poor surf conditions.” It’s still a mess.
There is one brief moment on Saturday 15th August morning with a gentle breeze and a cross-shore wind, but the swell is only 3 ft and the energy is weak. It’s not enough to get excited about.
Honestly, with this setup, it’s more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. The beach and jetty layout is exposed, and with the wind howling onshore, it’s a better day for the rig than the log.
For a true standout, there isn’t one. The best you’ll get is the afternoon of Tuesday 18th August, when the swell hits 4 ft from the ESE with a 7-second period, and the energy is 147. But the wind is cross-onshore at 19 mph, so it’s still lumpy. If you’re desperate, that’s your window, but don’t expect much.
This is a classic blank run for the area. It’s normal for it to go quiet like this, but forecasts can change. Keep your eyes peeled.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Tue afternoon, min 27°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sat morning. Warm (max 29°C on Sat afternoon, min 27°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SE on Sat morning, fresh winds from the SE by Sun afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | |||||||||||||||
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 5 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 4 | ESE 5 | ESE 6 | SE 5 | ESE 6 | SE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | SE 6 | ESE 6 | E 5 | ESE 6 | ESE 5 | ESE 6 | SE 5 | SE 5 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
24 | 32 | 30 | 28 | 31 | 37 | 40 | 57 | 46 | 82 | 60 | 36 | 24 | 51 | 31 | 21 | 31 | 36 | 34 | 47 | 47 | |
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 | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 6:45AM0.50m | 10:23PM0.46m | 6:30AM0.51m | 5:46AM0.54m | 3:30AM0.59m | 3:49AM0.65m | 4:26AM0.68m | 5:03AM0.68m | |||||||||||||
Low Tide | 2:17PM0.26m | 00:51AM0.45m | 3:09PM0.20m | 4:09PM0.14m | 5:14PM0.08m | 6:20PM0.03m | 7:23PM-0.01m | 8:23PM-0.02m | |||||||||||||
6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | |
— | 8:14 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:09 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
Feels °C | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 31 | 28 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | ESE 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | SE 6 | — | — | ESE 6 | SE 6 | E 9 | E 5 | — | — | SE 8 | — | SE 9 |
6 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 82 | — | — | 24 | 51 | 2 | 21 | — | — | 3 | — | 3 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 9 | SE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 4 | ESE 5 | ESE 6 | SE 5 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | — | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | — | ESE 6 | ESE 5 | ESE 6 | SE 5 | SE 5 |
24 | 32 | 30 | 28 | 31 | 37 | 40 | 57 | 46 | 46 | 60 | 36 | — | 26 | 31 | — | 31 | 36 | 34 | 47 | 47 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 974 | 1063 | 971 | 992 | 1187 | 971 | 974 | 1208 | 971 | 974 | 1062 | 974 | 974 | 997 | 971 | 974 | 1059 | 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.











