
Surf Forecasts:
South Padre Island surf forecast from 2 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 7 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 6s period, SE swell with 109 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 6s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 07) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 02) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Fri 7th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for South Padre Island over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, and the word on South Padre Island for the next 16 days ain't pretty. We're looking at a long stretch of flat and choppy water. There's no real decent surf on the menu until the very end of the run.
Right now, all through early August, the ocean is just a mess. The water's a warm 83°, which is normal for now, but that's about the only good news.
The big problem is the wind. It's a constant cross-onshore breeze out of the southeast, just tearing the surface apart. The swell is tiny, from 2ft to 4ft, and what little energy there is – currently a weak 41 – is coming from the southeast with a super-short period of just 4 seconds. That's just choppy junk, not a rideable wave. Day after day it's poor conditions with a fresh, lumpy wind. Even as we get into the second week, around August 12th, the energy bumps up a bit to 102, but that damn cross-onshore wind is still ruining any chance of clean surf.
Honestly, for most of this, the setup at South Padre Island looks way better for kite surfing than paddle surfing. That steady side-shore wind and small, lumpy surf is perfect for them.
If you're really patient, there's one very small window. On Saturday, August 15th, the afternoon shows a little pulse. The swell is still only 4ft from the ESE, but the period reaches a slightly better 7 seconds, and the combined energy hits a moderate 224. But the catch is it's still a "fresh cross-onshore and lumpy" mess with that southeast wind blowing at 22 mph. It'll be a fight.
This spot is known for being inconsistent, and this forecast proves it. The only time you might find something to ride is that final weekend, the 15th of August, and even then, you'll be battling the wind. For now, I'd say take a break.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Sat afternoon, min 27°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 29°C on Wed morning, min 27°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 3 | SE 4 | SE 6 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 6 | SE 4 | ESE 6 | SE 6 | SE 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | SE 6 | ESE 6 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
41 | 41 | 14 | 8 | 10 | 15 | 25 | 22 | 20 | 47 | 25 | 36 | 38 | 48 | 71 | 100 | 77 | 49 | 83 | 47 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:37PM0.46m | 6:52AM0.51m | 5:59PM0.45m | 6:50AM0.50m | 7:43PM0.44m | 6:45AM0.50m | 10:23PM0.46m | 6:30AM0.51m | 5:46AM0.54m | 3:30AM0.59m | 3:49AM0.65m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 11:41PM0.25m | 12:57PM0.37m | 00:09AM0.31m | 1:33PM0.31m | 00:36AM0.38m | 2:17PM0.26m | 00:51AM0.45m | 3:09PM0.20m | 4:09PM0.14m | 5:14PM0.08m | ||||||||||
— | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | |
8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:12 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
Feels °C | 29 | 29 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 27 | 30 | 31 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 32 | 30 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SE 5 | SE 9 | E 10 | E 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | ESE 9 | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 6 | SE 6 | — |
— | — | 14 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 49 | 83 | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 9 | — | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | 2 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 4 | SE 5 | — | SE 3 | SE 4 | SE 6 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 6 | SE 4 | ESE 6 | SE 6 | SE 7 | ESE 6 | — | ESE 6 | ESE 6 |
41 | 41 | — | 8 | 10 | 15 | 25 | 22 | 20 | 47 | 25 | 36 | 38 | 48 | 71 | 100 | 77 | — | 47 | 47 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1063 | 971 | 974 | 999 | 971 | 974 | 1326 | 971 | 974 | 1077 | 971 | 974 | 1193 | 971 | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 971 | 1059 | 971 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Texas | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Latest Updates
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.











