Surf Forecasts:
South Padre Island surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 10AM (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 Saturday (Aug 15) 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 (Sat 15th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for South Padre Island over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m looking at the South Padre Island forecast. And honestly, buddy, it’s a tough stretch. We’ve got a long 16-day window, but the surf is just not cooperating. The first real chance to even talk about getting wet doesn’t come until Saturday, August 15th, and even then, it’s a struggle.
The whole run is plagued by a persistent cross-onshore wind, mostly from the SE and SSE. It’s choppy, lumpy, and messy. The swell is weak, with short periods around 5 to 6 seconds – that’s pure windswell, no power behind it. The energy levels are low, mostly two-digit numbers, which tells you there’s nothing moving. The water temp is a warm 84°, which is about normal for this time of year.
The only day that even gets a little pulse is Saturday, August 15th. The morning sees the swell bump up to 4ft from the SE, with a combined energy of 222 – that’s moderate energy, finally. But the wind is still a cross-on from the SE at 9 mph, so it’s going to be fairly choppy. It’s a beach/jetty setup, so it’s exposed, but with that wind and short period, it’s not going to be a classic. It’s the best on offer, but that’s a low bar.
The following week is a total washout. The swell drops back to the 1ft to 2ft range, and the wind stays onshore or cross-onshore. Conditions are just plain poor. There’s a glimmer on Sunday, August 23rd morning with a brief offshore wind from the W at 9 mph, which would clean things up, but the swell is a pathetic 2ft. It’s flat.
Bottom line: if you’re a beginner, Saturday, August 15th is your only real shot at a few rideable waves, but don’t expect anything special. For everyone else, it’s a waiting game. The consistent truth for South Padre is that when it’s poor, it can stay poor for a while. This is one of those stretches.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Wed morning, min 28°C on Tue morning). Mainly strong winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Fri morning, min 27°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSE on Fri night, light winds from the SE by Sun morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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 | ESE 5 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | E 6 | E 6 | ESE 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 27 | 27 | 22 | 31 | 89 | 50 | 72 | 83 | 72 | 58 | 90 | 87 | 144 | 109 | 43 | 40 | 81 | 31 | 24 | 24 | 26 |
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 | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 6:01AM0.61m | 1:39PM0.57m | 6:16AM0.56m | 3:13PM0.56m | 6:22AM0.51m | 4:38PM0.54m | 6:20AM0.48m | 6:05PM0.52m | 6:11AM0.47m | 7:45PM0.49m | 5:55AM0.48m | 10:13PM0.49m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 12:40PM0.27m | 00:57AM0.41m | 1:33PM0.22m | 00:54AM0.48m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — |
 | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:05 | — | — | 8:04 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
Feels °C | 30 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | SE 9 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 7 | SE 7 | — | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | — | E 6 | E 11 | E 10 |
| kJ | 1 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 144 | 109 | — | 40 | 81 | — | 24 | 2 | 8 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 5 | ESE 5 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | — | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | — | E 6 | ESE 6 |
| kJ | 27 | 27 | 22 | 31 | 89 | 50 | 72 | 83 | 72 | 58 | 90 | 87 | 78 | 68 | 43 | — | 44 | 31 | — | 24 | 26 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1063 | 971 | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 106 | 1063 | 971 | 9 | 1062 | 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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