
Surf Forecasts:
South Padre Island surf forecast from 6 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s period, SE swell with 69 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 1.1m 6s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (CDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for South Padre Island over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for South Padre Island over the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – it’s a tough stretch. The whole 16-day window is looking pretty grim. There’s a glaring gap of no surf worth mentioning from now until the 5th of August, and honestly, the whole run is a bit of a write-off. The first real recommendation isn't even worth paddling out for, so we’re looking at a long, quiet spell.
For the entire period, the wind is the main villain here. It’s coming from the SE, ESE, or SSE, which is cross-onshore or onshore for the whole time. The swell is tiny, mostly between 2 ft and 4 ft, and the period is short – we’re talking 4 to 7 seconds, which is just windswell junk. The combined wave energy is weak, barely cracking triple digits until the 15th and 16th of August, when it hits 107 and 210 (moderate energy), but the wind is still ruining it. The water temperature is a warm 84°F on the 5th, which is about normal for the time of year.
Honestly, for a beginner spot, this is just messy. The consistent cross-onshore wind and short period swell are going to make it choppy and lumpy. If you’re a kitesurfer, this setup might actually look interesting with that steady SE wind, but for a paddle surfer? Save your energy.
The best of a bad bunch might be the 16th of August, Sunday. You’ve got a 4 ft to 4 ft swell from the ESE/SE with a 7-second period, and the combined energy is up there (194-210), so there’s a bit more push. But the wind is still a moderate cross-onshore from the SE at 16 mph, so it’s going to be choppy. It’s not a standout, just the least terrible option late in the forecast.
Overall, there’s nothing to get excited about here. It’s a long stretch of poor conditions. Sometimes that’s just how it goes on the island. Forecasts can change, but for now, I’d keep the board in the car and wait for a better day.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Thu morning, min 27°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Thu afternoon, light winds from the SSE by Fri night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sat night, min 27°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSE on Sun morning, fresh winds from the SE by Mon afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | |||||||||||||||
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 6 | SE 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | E 5 | E 5 | E 5 | E 5 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
31 | 23 | 24 | 20 | 28 | 27 | 14 | 14 | 25 | 20 | 33 | 33 | 39 | 33 | 37 | 27 | 31 | 25 | 29 | 51 | 55 | |
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 | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 5:46AM0.54m | 3:30AM0.59m | 3:49AM0.65m | 4:26AM0.68m | 5:03AM0.68m | 5:36AM0.66m | 6:01AM0.61m | 1:39PM0.57m | |||||||||||||
Low Tide | 4:09PM0.14m | 5:14PM0.08m | 6:20PM0.03m | 7:23PM-0.01m | 8:23PM-0.02m | 9:19PM0.00m | 10:26AM0.55m | 10:12PM0.05m | |||||||||||||
6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | |
— | 8:13 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:07 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
Feels °C | 30 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 32 | 30 | 30 | 32 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ESE 8 | — | E 9 | SE 9 | E 9 | E 5 | E 8 | E 8 | E 5 | — | — | ESE 6 | — | — | E 8 | SE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SE 9 | — |
— | 6 | — | 2 | 3 | 2 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 20 | — | — | 39 | — | — | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | ESE 9 | — | — | E 9 | ESE 8 | SE 6 | E 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 7 | — | — | 1 | 7 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 6 | SE 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | — | E 5 | E 5 | — | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 |
31 | 23 | 24 | 20 | 28 | 27 | — | 14 | 25 | — | 33 | 33 | 24 | 33 | 37 | 27 | 31 | 25 | 29 | 51 | 55 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1062 | 971 | 974 | 981 | 971 | 974 | 1062 | 971 | 974 | 1062 | 971 | 971 | 992 | 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.











