Surf Forecasts:
South Padre Island surf forecast from 4 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 9 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s period, ESE swell with 39 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 0.8m 6s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 1PM. 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 | 1PM (Wed 9th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 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 – the outlook for South Padre Island over the next 16 days is a tough one. We’re looking at a real dry spell, with no good surf on the cards right through the forecast period. The waves are tiny, the wind is messy, and it’s gonna be a long wait.
The first few days, from Friday the 4th of September right through the weekend, are a washout. We’re talking tiny swell, around 1ft to 2ft, coming from the SE and ESE. The period is super short, between 3 and 5 seconds, so there’s no real push. The wind is cross-onshore and choppy, making it even more of a struggle. The combined wave energy is weak, mostly in the single digits (5 to 15), which tells you everything you need to know. It’s not worth paddling out.
This pattern basically holds right through the first week and into the second. From Monday the 7th of September all the way through to Friday the 18th of September, we’re stuck with the same story: small, weak swell, poor conditions, and cross-onshore or onshore winds. The water temperature is about average for the time of year, nothing to write home about. The only tiny flicker of hope comes on Wednesday the 16th of September, when the swell pushes up to 3ft from the E, with a period of 7 seconds and energy hitting 61 (moderate). But even then, the wind is onshore or cross-onshore, and the surf is still rated as poor. It’s just not going to be any good for a proper paddle session.
The last day we got data for, Saturday the 19th of September, is more of the same: 2ft, short period, messy wind. There’s a clear gap of many days here with no decent surf. For South Padre Island, a blank run like this is more normal for this time of year, so don’t lose hope. Forecasts can change, but for now, I’d leave the board in the car and find something else to do.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 29°C on Fri morning, min 28°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 29°C on Mon morning, min 28°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 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 | ESE 4 | SE 3 | SE 4 | ESE 3 | SE 4 | SE 4 | ESE 3 | SE 4 | SE 5 | ESE 3 | ESE 4 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | ESE 6 | ESE 5 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | SE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 14 | 12 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 9 | 17 | 17 | 22 | 23 | 34 | 28 | 8 | 13 | 32 |
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 | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 2:45AM0.63m | 3:20AM0.65m | 3:50AM0.63m | 4:13AM0.60m | 4:28AM0.56m | 1:27PM0.55m | 4:36AM0.51m | 2:52PM0.56m | |||||||||||||
Low Tide | 3:46PM0.10m | 5:04PM0.07m | 6:17PM0.06m | 7:22PM0.06m | 9:21AM0.53m | 8:21PM0.09m | 9:05AM0.48m | 9:15PM0.14m | 9:22AM0.41m | 10:05PM0.21m | |||||||||||
 | |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | |  | | |  | |
 | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — |
 | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:38 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
Feels °C | 31 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 32 | 30 | 30 | 33 | 30 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 28 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 | — | E 8 | — | — | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | — | ESE 5 | — | — | SE 6 | ESE 6 | — |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 23 | — | — | 8 | 13 | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | E 7 | — | — | — | E 5 | — | — | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 8 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 5 | ESE 4 | SE 3 | SE 4 | ESE 3 | SE 4 | SE 4 | ESE 3 | SE 4 | SE 5 | ESE 3 | ESE 4 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | ESE 6 | — | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ENE 5 | ENE 3 | ESE 6 |
| kJ | 14 | 12 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 9 | 17 | 17 | 22 | — | 34 | 28 | 8 | 4 | 32 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 971 | 971 | 974 | 1062 | 971 | 974 | 1062 | 971 | 971 | 1000 | 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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