Surf Forecasts:
South Padre Island surf forecast from 21 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 5s period, SE swell with 74 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 Saturday (Jul 25) at 4PM. 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 | 4PM (Sat 25th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for South Padre Island over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down the surf outlook for South Padre Island in the next couple of weeks.
Alright, I’m not gonna sugarcoat it – this looks bleak. A long stretch of poor conditions ahead. The wind is a constant problem, and the swell is mostly small and weak. The first recommendation we see is for the morning of July 21st. It’s a sad start, with a tiny 0.2m swell from the ESE, and a cross-shore wind. It’s poor, and the energy is basically nothing – just 14 on the scale. The water is a warm 85°F, which is about average for the time of year, so at least you won’t need a wetsuit.
From there, we go through a long, frustrating gap. The wind just doesn't let up, blowing cross-on or cross-shore day after day. The swell is tiny, mostly under 3 feet, with periods all over the shop but often short. The morning of July 25th, a Saturday, we get a bit of a pulse, but it’s still cross-on. The whole first week is a write-off for anything decent.
Honestly, this whole period looks like a kite surfer’s paradise more than a paddle surfer’s. The wind is strong and consistent, but the waves are small and messy. The combined swell energy barely gets into the double digits for most of the first week, only reaching a moderate 74 on the afternoon of July 25th, but it’s still a messy 3 feet with a 5-second period. It’s junk.
The second week doesn’t get much better. We’re still looking at the same story: SE wind, cross-on, and small swell. The best on offer appears to be the afternoon of August 5th. The swell ticks up to 4 feet from the SE, with a 7-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 246 (moderate). But it’s still blowing a fresh 19 mph cross-on. The break is a beach/jetty setup, so it’s going to be lumpy and choppy. Not the gem you’re looking for. It’s the standout, but only because the rest is so flat.
So, what’s the call? Don’t get your hopes up for clean, glassy barrels. The best you can hope for is a choppy, bumpy ride on a small wave. It’s a blank run for the area, and it’s pretty normal for this time of year. Forecasts can change, but as it stands, you’re better off looking for a different activity.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 28°C on Tue afternoon, min 26°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Wed morning, strong winds from the SSE by Thu afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Fri morning, min 27°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | ESE 9 | SSE 4 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SSE 4 | E 9 | SSE 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 6 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 5 | SE 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 8 | 9 | 14 | 8 | 8 | 13 | 2 | 7 | 21 | 21 | 45 | 51 | 52 | 74 | 28 | 28 | 57 | 49 | 46 | 49 | 41 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 5:54AM0.54m | 5:01AM0.57m | 5:04AM0.60m | 5:20AM0.61m | 5:39AM0.61m | 5:58AM0.61m | |||||||||||||||
Low Tide | 4:32PM0.20m | 5:26PM0.16m | 6:15PM0.14m | 7:00PM0.12m | 7:42PM0.11m | 8:22PM0.09m | 9:00PM0.09m | ||||||||||||||
 | |  | | | |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — |
 | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:20 | — | — | 8:20 | — | — | 8:19 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 29 | 28 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 26 | 27 | 29 | 27 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | SSE 4 | ESE 9 | E 7 | SSE 4 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | SE 8 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 11 | E 10 |
| kJ | 8 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 5 | — | — | ESE 9 | E 6 | E 9 | E 9 | E 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | — | — | 8 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | E 6 | E 8 | — | E 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 4 | SE 3 | SSE 4 | — | SE 3 | SSE 4 | — | SSE 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 6 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 5 | SE 5 |
| kJ | 5 | 9 | 14 | — | 3 | 13 | — | 7 | 21 | 21 | 45 | 51 | 52 | 74 | 28 | 28 | 57 | 49 | 46 | 49 | 41 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 974 | 1063 | 971 | 974 | 1063 | 320 | 974 | 1062 | 971 | 974 | 971 | 971 | 974 | 1062 | 971 | 974 | 1062 | 971 | 974 | 971 | 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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