Surf Forecasts:
South Padre Island surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 5s period, SE swell with 49 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 5s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) 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 (Mon 20th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for South Padre Island over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let's break down the Texas coast for the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, it’s a pretty bleak stretch from the start. The first surf we see is a tiny, weak pulse on Sunday, July 19th, with a short-period 3ft swell from the SE, but that SSE wind is blowing 15 mph, cross-onshore, and it’s choppy. Combined wave energy is a pathetic 37. This isn't surf, it's a washing machine. Monday and Tuesday are even smaller, with winds from the SSE and SE making a mess of things. The wind barely lets up; it’s mostly cross-onshore or cross-shore, but never clean. The water temp is about average for this time of year.
The whole first week is a total washout. We’re looking at a gap of about 10 days with nothing worth paddling out for. Things stay weak and messy right through until the end of July. The swell direction is all from the SE, and with the wind never getting truly offshore, it’s just blown-out slop.
Now, towards the very end of the run, into the first few days of August, we finally see a bit of a bump. The morning of August 1st has a 4ft swell from the SE, period 6 seconds, and the wind is a gentle cross-shore breeze from the SSE at 9 mph. The energy jumps to 106, which is moderate. That’s our one true standout. It’s still not perfect, but it’s the cleanest we’re going to get. The afternoon of August 1st and 2nd also have some size, with 4ft from the SE, but the wind shifts to a fresh cross-onshore from the ESE at 18 mph, lumping it up. The morning of Sunday, August 3rd has a 4ft SE swell again, but with a moderate cross-onshore wind, it’s choppy. So, the call is Saturday morning, August 1st, for the best chance. It’s still a beach/jetty setup, and with inconsistent waves, you’ll be waiting. Bring a log.
So, there’s no good surf for the next week and a half. The forecast can always change, but right now, it’s a tough stretch for the Island. The only thing that might be fun is the wind for the kite crew on those stronger afternoons.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sun morning, min 26°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Warm (max 28°C on Wed afternoon, min 26°C on Wed morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the SE on Wed morning, fresh winds from the SE by Fri afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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 5 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 4 | ESE 9 | SE 4 | SSE 4 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | ESE 9 | SSE 3 | SE 6 | SE 5 | SE 3 | SE 6 | SE 3 | SE 4 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 35 | 45 | 49 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 8 | 13 | 22 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 10 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:57AM0.48m | 9:22PM0.45m | 7:40AM0.49m | 7:08AM0.51m | 5:54AM0.54m | 5:01AM0.57m | 5:04AM0.60m | 5:20AM0.61m | |||||||||||||
Low Tide | 2:37PM0.30m | 2:00AM0.41m | 3:35PM0.24m | 4:32PM0.20m | 5:26PM0.16m | 6:15PM0.14m | 7:00PM0.12m | 7:42PM0.11m | |||||||||||||
 | |  | | | |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:47 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — |
 | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:20 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 29 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ESE 9 | E 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 6 | E 9 | E 9 | ESE 9 | E 8 | SE 6 | E 8 | E 8 | SE 6 | SE 8 | E 8 |
| kJ | 2 | 9 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 1 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | ESE 9 | — | — | E 5 | — | — | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 | — | — | — | SE 5 | SE 8 | — | E 8 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | — | 1 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | SE 7 | — | SE 8 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | 3 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SSE 4 | SE 4 | SSE 4 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | ESE 3 | SSE 3 | — | SE 5 | SE 3 | — | SE 3 | SE 4 |
| kJ | 35 | 45 | 49 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 7 | 13 | 22 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 12 | 6 | 8 | — | 7 | 6 | — | 5 | 10 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1059 | 971 | 974 | 1063 | 971 | 974 | 1062 | 971 | 974 | 1273 | 971 | 974 | 1062 | 971 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Texas | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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