Surf Forecasts:
South Padre Island surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 5s period, SE swell with 71 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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 1AM. 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 | 1AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for South Padre Island over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's be straight with you about South Padre Island. The whole 16-day stretch is a bit of a write-off, if I'm honest. There's not a single good session to hang your hat on, so don't bother waxing up just yet.
We start off on Saturday the 18th of July, and right away it's a no-go. We've got a small, weak little 3ft SE swell with a period of just 6 seconds – that's pure wind-slop with no push. The 18 mph cross-onshore wind from the SSE is just tearing it up, making everything lumpy and messy. The combined energy is a paltry 56, which is barely a whisper. The water sits at a warm 83°, which is about average for the time of year, but you won't be feeling it because you'll be standing on the sand.
This grim pattern just locks in. From the 18th through to the end of the month, it's the same story: small, weak swell in the 0.3ft to 4ft range, mostly from the SE, with periods that barely hit 9 seconds. The wind is relentless, coming from the SSE or SE, always cross-onshore, and mostly fresh or moderate. The combined energy figures are all in the dumps, rarely cracking 100. Every single report says "poor surf conditions." There's nothing to work with.
We roll into the first week of August, and the swell does try to build a little. On the 1st of August, the afternoon swell hits 5ft from the SE, and the combined energy jumps to 311 (moderate), but the wind is still a fresh 18 mph cross-onshore. It's just going to be a blown-out, lumpy mess. By the 2nd of August, it's already dropping back down.
This area is known for these blank runs, and this is a classic example. There's just no good surf on offer. The setup is a beach/jetty, so it's exposed to that constant onshore wind, and it's just not coming together. Honestly, with the persistent cross-onshore wind and small, weak swell, this looks more like a kiteboarding setup than a paddle-surfing one for the entire forecast period.
Keep an eye on the charts, but for now, I'd leave the boards at home.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sat morning, min 26°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Tue afternoon, min 26°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 4 | E 9 | ESE 9 | SE 4 | SE 4 | ESE 9 | SE 4 | SE 5 | ESE 3 | SSE 4 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 56 | 42 | 71 | 35 | 36 | 35 | 19 | 17 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 16 | 10 | 7 | 21 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 7:03PM0.47m | 7:57AM0.48m | 9:22PM0.45m | 7:40AM0.49m | 7:08AM0.51m | 5:54AM0.54m | 5:01AM0.57m | 5:04AM0.60m | |||||||||||||
Low Tide | 1:42PM0.38m | 1:31AM0.31m | 2:37PM0.30m | 2:00AM0.41m | 3:35PM0.24m | 4:32PM0.20m | 5:26PM0.16m | 6:15PM0.14m | 7:00PM0.12m | ||||||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:46 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — |
 | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:21 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 28 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 28 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ESE 9 | E 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ESE 9 | E 8 | SE 5 | SE 9 | E 8 |
| kJ | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 10 | 3 | 1 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 9 | — | — | E 6 | — | — | ESE 9 | E 11 | — | E 6 | — | — | E 9 | SE 7 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 8 | 2 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 2 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 6 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 4 | ESE 3 | SE 4 | SE 4 | ESE 3 | SE 4 | — | ESE 3 | SSE 4 |
| kJ | 56 | 42 | 71 | 35 | 36 | 35 | 19 | 17 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 16 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 16 | — | 7 | 21 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 974 | 1051 | 971 | 971 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1063 | 971 | 974 | 1188 | 971 | 974 | 971 | 971 | 971 | 1350 | 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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