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 be straight with you: the next couple of weeks for South Padre Island are looking pretty grim. The onshore and cross-onshore winds are going to be a persistent problem, and the swell just isn't cooperating. There's a long stretch of no real surf on offer, so don't get your hopes up.
The first surfable recommendation doesn't show up until the 15th of August, and even then, it's a struggle. Before that, it's all poor surf conditions with those onshore winds chopping everything up. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so at least you won't be freezing while you're waiting for a wave that never comes.
From the 15th of August, Saturday afternoon, we finally see a pulse of energy. The swell will be around 4ft from the ESE, with a period of 7 seconds. The combined energy of all swells directed here is moderate (113). The wind is still cross-onshore from the SE at 16 mph, so it's going to be choppy and lumpy. This is a beach/jetty setup, so with that weak, short-period swell and the wind, it's honestly looking more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. The crowds are sometimes a factor here, but with conditions this average, you might have it to yourself.
The energy picks up again on the 16th of August, Sunday afternoon, with a similar 4ft swell from the SE, but the combined energy jumps to 173 (moderate). The wind is still cross-onshore from the ESE at 12 mph. Again, it's a messy, choppy affair. The 17th of August, Monday afternoon, shows a 3ft swell from the ESE with a 7-second period and moderate energy (102). The wind is still cross-onshore.
There just isn't a standout session in this forecast. The winds never truly swing offshore, and the swell is too weak and short-period to overcome the chop. This is one of those stretches where you're better off saving the energy for a day when the forecast changes.
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  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 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 | — |
| kJ | — | 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 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 7 | — | — | 1 | 7 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
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 |
| kJ | 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.
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