Surf Forecasts:
South Padre Island surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 5s period, ESE swell with 28 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 5s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) 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 (Sun 30th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for South Padre Island over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break it down. For most of this run, it’s pretty flat and frustrating down here on South Padre Island. We’ve only got this one break in the mix, and it’s a long stretch of tiny, gutless surf.
The first week and a half is a write-off. From Sunday the 23rd of August right through to the 5th of September, you’re looking at swell heights of 0.3ft to 3ft at best, with a period of 4 to 6 seconds. That’s short-period windswill, not real groundswell. The combined energy is weak, sitting mostly between 4 and 86, so there’s no punch. The wind is almost always cross-onshore or fresh and lumpy, blowing 15 to 35 mph from the south or southeast. It’s choppy, messy, and just not worth paddling out for.
Even the first few days of September keep up the same sad story. Tiny waves, onshore winds, poor conditions. The water temperature sits around 85°F, which is normal for the time of year, so no worries there.
Then, on Sunday the 6th of September morning, things finally line up. The wind drops to a light north-northwest breeze at 5 mph, coming cross-offshore. That means the surface will be glassy and clean. The swell is still small, only 3ft to 3ft from the southeast with a 6-second period, and the combined energy is 54, which is still weak. But with those clean conditions, it’ll be the best wave shape we’ve seen in ages. It’s still a small, weak wave, but it’s surfable.
Monday the 7th of September morning brings a light north wind at 5 mph, which is cross-shore, but the waves stay small and weak. The afternoons both days turn onshore again, so the clean window is really narrow.
So, if you’re itching for a paddle, that Sunday the 6th of September morning is your only real look. It’s nothing special in size, but it’ll be smooth. For beginners, those small 3ft waves are fine. For anyone else, expect a lot of flat spells and wind. Most of this extended forecast is better suited for a kite than a surfboard.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sun morning, min 27°C on Sun morning). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Wed morning, min 27°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | |||||||||||||||
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 4 | ESE 3 | SE 3 | E 9 | ESE 9 | SE 3 | SSE 4 | ESE 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | ESE 5 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 4 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | SE 4 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | ESE 4 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 16 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 16 | 17 | 21 | 21 | 17 | 22 | 13 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:47AM0.59m | 4:57AM0.57m | 5:06AM0.56m | 5:12AM0.54m | 2:08PM0.50m | 5:15AM0.52m | 3:17PM0.50m | 5:16AM0.50m | 4:24PM0.50m | ||||||||||||
Low Tide | 7:17PM0.14m | 7:59PM0.13m | 8:37PM0.14m | 10:09AM0.49m | 9:13PM0.15m | 10:07AM0.46m | 9:48PM0.18m | 10:21AM0.41m | 10:23PM0.22m | 10:44AM0.36m | 10:59PM0.28m | ||||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 7:03 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — |
 | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 30 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 31 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 28 | 29 | 31 | 28 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 4 | E 8 | E 8 | SE 4 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | SE 5 | ESE 8 | E 8 | SE 5 | E 8 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 |
| kJ | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 11 | 7 | 1 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 2 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | — | E 9 | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | — | — | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 9 | SE 7 | E 6 |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 2 | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | S 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ESE 3 | SE 3 | SSE 3 | ESE 3 | SE 3 | SSE 4 | ESE 4 | SE 4 | — | ESE 5 | SE 4 | — | SE 4 | SE 4 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | SE 4 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | ESE 4 |
| kJ | — | 3 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 16 | — | 14 | 12 | — | 10 | 16 | 17 | 21 | 21 | 17 | 22 | 13 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 974 | 1077 | 991 | 974 | 1063 | 971 | 992 | 1051 | 971 | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1062 | 971 | 974 | 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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