Swell Intel

South Padre Island Surf Forecast, Texas

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Texas

Isla Blanca State Park2-3ftBoca Chica2-3+ftPort Mansfield Jetties2-3ft
South Padre Island surf spot

Current Conditions

Poor
Wave Height
2-3+ft
knee to waist high
Swell Period
5.85s
Wind
18mph
SE / Gusts 24mph
Conditions
Poor
Active Swells
Primary
1.5ft @ 7sE
Wind Swell
4.0ft @ 6sSE

Nearby Webcams

Daily Forecast

3 of 5 days
Tue, Mar 312-3ft
Poor

Slim pickings today — 2-3ft and poor with 19mph out of the SSE.

6am9am12pm3pm
8s ENE|19mph SSE
Wed, Apr 12-3ft
Poor

Not the most exciting day — 2-3ft and poor conditions with strong SSE wind at 21mph.

6am9am12pm3pm
6s E|21-24mph SSE
Thu, Apr 23-4ft
Poor

A slow one — 2-3ft waves and poor conditions with strong SSE wind at 27mph.

6am9am12pm3pm
6s ESE|20-27mph SSE
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Sat

Forecast Charts

South Padre Island Surf Spot Guide

Break
Beach
Bottom
Sand
Level
Beginner
Crowd
Light
Best Swell
E
Best Wind
W
Season
Fall

South Padre Island is Texas's most popular surf destination, a long barrier island along the Gulf of Mexico coastline where gentle, rolling waves break over sandy shallows. The Gulf of Mexico's limited fetch means waves are typically small and mushy, making it an ideal learning ground, though tropical storms and cold fronts during fall and winter can generate surprisingly punchy surf. This laid-back Texas spot sees far fewer surfers than most coastal destinations, offering uncrowded lineups and a relaxed atmosphere that embodies the easygoing South Texas beach culture.

JellyfishStrong currentsRip currentsSharksFlat spells

Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.

South Padre Island Surf Forecast FAQ

What is the current surf forecast for South Padre Island?
The current wave height at South Padre Island is 2-3+ft with a 5.85s swell period. Wind is SE at 18mph. Conditions are rated Poor.
How accurate is the South Padre Island surf forecast?
Our South Padre Island forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable. Extended forecasts show general trends.
What is the breaking wave height at South Padre Island?
The current breaking wave height at South Padre Island is 2-3+ft, produced by a 1.5ft E primary swell at 7s, a 4ft SE wind swell swell at 6s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
When is the best time to surf South Padre Island?
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf South Padre Island is Saturday from 12 PM to 3 PM with 4ft waves, a 7.65s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.