
Surf Forecasts:
South Padre Island surf forecast from 10 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period, SE swell with 172 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 1.4m 6s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 7AM. 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 | 7AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for South Padre Island over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s happening on the South Padre Island stretch.
Honestly, looking at the full 16-day window, it’s a pretty tough run. We’ve got a long stretch of messy, onshore slop that’s not doing anyone any favours. The wind is almost constantly cross or cross-onshore, and the swell is mostly short-period windswell with periods barely hitting 6 to 7 seconds. The wave energy stays low, often under 100, and even when it climbs a bit, the conditions are just too lumpy. There are a lot of days where you’re better off staying home. It’s not looking good for a proper paddle session for most of the run. The first real glimmer of anything even slightly interesting shows up around Saturday, August 15th, and it’s still a struggle.
The standout, if you can call it that, comes on Saturday the 15th. The morning shows a 5ft swell out of the SE, and the combined energy finally pushes up to 238 – that’s a decent kick. But even then, the wind is a moderate cross-onshore breeze from the SE at 16 mph, which is going to put a chop on it. Saturday afternoon sees the wind swing a little more onshore from the ESE at 16 mph, with the swell dropping back to 4ft. It’s the best of a bad bunch, but you’ll be working for it.
There’s another tiny window on Saturday the 22nd of August. The morning shows a 4ft SE swell with a little more energy (156) and a gentle onshore breeze from the ESE at 9 mph. It’s not clean, but it’s the least ugly option in the second week. It’s a long way out though, so don't bank on it.
South Padre Island is a beach/jetty setup, so it’s exposed to everything. With the constant cross-shore winds and short-period swell, this stretch is honestly looking more appealing for someone with a kite than a paddle. The water temp is a balmy 84°F, which is about average for the time of year, so at least it’ll be a warm paddle. But don’t expect any gems. I wouldn’t be rushing out the door for any of this. We just have to wait and hope the forecasts change. If you’re a beginner, steer clear of the bigger days (like the 5ft on the 15th) as it might be a handful in these conditions.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Mon morning, min 27°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Thu afternoon, min 27°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Thu afternoon, light winds from the SSE by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 5 | ESE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 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 | SE 7 | ESE 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
20 | 37 | 32 | 21 | 32 | 24 | 40 | 89 | 66 | 98 | 105 | 91 | 77 | 75 | 82 | 158 | 118 | 60 | 44 | 65 | 30 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | 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 | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 5:36AM0.66m | 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 | ||||||||||
Low Tide | 8:23PM-0.02m | 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 | |||||||||
6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | |
— | 8:09 | — | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:05 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
Feels °C | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 31 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 5 | — | E 8 | E 8 | SE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 7 | SE 7 | — | ESE 6 | SE 7 | — |
20 | — | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 158 | 118 | — | 44 | 65 | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 3 | ESE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 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 |
1 | 37 | 32 | 21 | 32 | 24 | 40 | 89 | 66 | 98 | 105 | 91 | 77 | 75 | 82 | 80 | 64 | 60 | — | 44 | 30 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1063 | 971 | 974 | 1077 | 971 | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 971 | 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.











