Surf Forecasts:
South Padre Island surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 27 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 5s period, SE swell with 51 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 1.0m 5s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 27) 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 (Mon 27th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for South Padre Island over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty comin’ at you from the South Padre Island beachfront. Let’s be real with you right off the bat: if you’re looking to paddle out for the next two weeks, you’re gonna be fighting an uphill battle. The whole 16-day window is pretty much a write-off for decent surf. The first recommendation for a surf doesn't even show up, because honestly, there isn't a good one in the whole run. We’re looking at a solid 16-day gap with nothing worth paddling out for.
Looking at South Padre Island (*beach/jetty*), we've got tiny, short-period wind swell trying to push in, but it’s getting hammered by persistent cross to cross-onshore winds. Swell heights barely scrape past 3 ft on the best days, but the period is a weak 4-5 seconds, so there’s zero push. The wave energy reads as weak throughout – we’re talking values in the 30s and 40s (38, 37, 42) most days, with only a couple of afternoons hitting a higher but still moderate 66 on the 27th of July and 47 on the 1st of August. But even then, the winds are junk – fresh to strong cross-onshore making everything lumpy and messy. That 4 ft swell on the 27th of July afternoon? Sounds like it might be a bit of size, but at 5 seconds and hammered by a 25 mph cross-onshore wind, it’s just a blown-out, choppy mess. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so at least you won’t freeze.
This is a beach break setup, and with this persistent onshore wind and weak, short-period swell, it’s honestly looking more like a kite surfer’s playground than a place to get a clean wave face. For the few moments the wind might ease, you’re looking at knee-to-waist high slop.
Bottom line: If you’re a surfer, save your energy. This is a long, blank run, but it’s not unusual for this area during this time of year. The forecast can always change, but right now, there’s nothing to get excited about.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Mon morning, min 26°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Mon afternoon, light winds from the S by Wed morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Warm (max 28°C on Wed night, min 25°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSE on Thu morning, fresh winds from the SE by Fri afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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 4 | SE 4 | ESE 9 | SE 4 | SSE 4 | E 9 | SE 3 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 3 | SSE 4 | SE 5 | SE 3 | SE 4 | SSE 4 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 4 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 23 | 29 | 20 | 8 | 13 | 19 | 6 | 8 | 16 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 10 | 7 | 13 | 27 | 20 | 37 | 29 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:40AM0.49m | 7:08AM0.51m | 5:54AM0.54m | 5:01AM0.57m | 5:04AM0.60m | 5:20AM0.61m | 5:39AM0.61m | ||||||||||||||
Low Tide | 3:35PM0.24m | 4:32PM0.20m | 5:26PM0.16m | 6:15PM0.14m | 7:00PM0.12m | 7:42PM0.11m | 8:22PM0.09m | ||||||||||||||
 | |  | | | |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:47 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — |
 | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:20 | — | — | 8:20 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 27 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | ESE 9 | E 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 6 | E 7 | SE 4 | E 6 | E 8 | E 8 | SE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | SE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
| kJ | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | — | — | E 5 | — | — | E 6 | E 6 | E 9 | E 9 | E 6 | — | E 6 | — | — | E 6 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 8 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SSE 4 | SE 4 | SSE 4 | SE 4 | SE 3 | SE 4 | — | SE 3 | SSE 4 | SE 5 | SE 3 | SE 4 | SSE 4 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 4 |
| kJ | 23 | 29 | 20 | 8 | 13 | 19 | 5 | 8 | 16 | — | 4 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 10 | 7 | 13 | 27 | 20 | 37 | 29 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 974 | 1063 | 900 | 992 | 1063 | 971 | 974 | 1063 | 971 | 974 | 1062 | 971 | 974 | 1062 | 971 | 900 | 1062 | 971 | 974 | 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.
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