
Surf Forecasts:
South Padre Island surf forecast from 29 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 1 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 5s period, SE swell with 68 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 1.2m 5s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 01) at 7PM. 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 | 7PM (Sat 1st Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for South Padre Island over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, it's Rusty here. Let's be honest, we're looking at a rough stretch ahead for South Padre Island. This is one of those times where you’ll be better off finding a cold drink and a good book. The entire 16-day period is basically a write-off for anything rideable.
The forecast is filled with small, weak, and onshore slop. Even the couple of mornings with lighter wind are still cross-shore and messy. The water temp is sitting at 84°, which is pretty average for this time of year, so at least it’s warm for a swim.
For the morning of Tuesday, July 28th, we start with a tiny 2ft swell from the SE at a short period. The wind is a moderate cross-onshore from the SSE at 16 mph, making it choppy and poor. The combined energy is a measly 29, which is just a weak, wobbly mess. That’s your whole Tuesday.
Wednesday the 29th is a carbon copy – 2ft again, with that same onshore breeze. Thursday the 30th is even smaller at 2ft. The pattern just does not let up.
We get to the first of August, and it's still the same story. Saturday morning is 2ft with a cross-shore wind, and it gets worse in the afternoon with a strong 25 mph cross-onshore wind. You might get a glimpse of something on the morning of Sunday, August 2nd, with a gentle breeze, but it’s still only 2ft and weak.
The whole first week is a dead loss.
Moving into the second week, the first week of August, the swell stays tiny, mostly between 2ft and 3ft. The wind remains a persistent problem. The only small "standout" is Friday afternoon, August 7th, when you finally get an offshore breeze from the ESE at 12 mph with a 3ft swell – but that period is only 6 seconds, and the energy is just 99, right on the edge of weak. It would be junky and still likely bumpy.
Saturday, August 8th, is right back to the same old cross-onshore garbage.
The rest of the run into August 12th just keeps that rhythm of small, onshore swell and poor conditions. Honestly, there isn't a single day I'd point you to. For a spot like South Padre that’s exposed, this kind of dead stretch is just part of living here. Forecasts can change, but right now? Don't bother waxing the board.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Tue morning, min 27°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Sat afternoon, min 27°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SE on Sat afternoon, light winds from the SSE by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | |||||||||||||||
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 5 | SE 4 | SE 6 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 6 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 6 | SE 5 | SSE 5 | SE 6 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 4 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
27 | 55 | 38 | 30 | 41 | 32 | 24 | 22 | 12 | 9 | 23 | 14 | 16 | 53 | 46 | 15 | 15 | 27 | 14 | 27 | 19 | |
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 | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 6:33AM0.59m | 6:43AM0.57m | 2:05PM0.51m | 6:50AM0.55m | 3:22PM0.49m | 6:52AM0.53m | 4:37PM0.46m | 6:52AM0.51m | 5:59PM0.45m | 6:50AM0.50m | 7:43PM0.44m | ||||||||||
Low Tide | 9:36PM0.10m | 10:11PM0.11m | 11:50AM0.50m | 10:42PM0.15m | 12:02PM0.46m | 11:12PM0.19m | 12:26PM0.42m | 11:41PM0.25m | 12:57PM0.37m | 00:09AM0.31m | 1:33PM0.31m | 00:36AM0.38m | |||||||||
6:50 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | |
— | 8:19 | — | — | 8:17 | — | — | 8:17 | — | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
Feels °C | 29 | 27 | 29 | 31 | 27 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 33 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | E 8 | SE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | ESE 9 | E 9 |
2 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 7 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 9 | — | E 9 | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 2 | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 6 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 6 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 6 | SE 5 | SSE 5 | SE 6 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 4 |
27 | 55 | 38 | 30 | 41 | 32 | 24 | 22 | 12 | 9 | 23 | 14 | 16 | 53 | 46 | 15 | 15 | 27 | 14 | 27 | 19 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 974 | 1059 | 1000 | 974 | 1062 | 999 | 992 | 1062 | 971 | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1059 | 974 | 104 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1000 | 971 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Texas | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










