Texas
A slow one — 1-2ft waves and very poor conditions with strong SSE wind at 15mph.
A slow one — 1-2ft waves and very poor conditions with strong SSE wind at 15mph.
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at South Padre Island for the cleanest windows.
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at South Padre Island, Texas. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Thu, Sep 3: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly very poor with strong SSE wind at 15mph.
Fri, Sep 4: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and very poor conditions with 13mph S winds.
Sat, Sep 5: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and very poor with moderate S wind around 10mph. Afternoon breeze fills in to 15mph.
Sun, Sep 6: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 1-2ft waves on SE swell at 5s and moderate SE wind around 8mph. Onshore flow builds through the day to 14mph, bringing conditions down to very poor.
Mon, Sep 7: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 1-2ft waves on ESE swell at 5s and moderate SSE wind around 9mph. Onshore flow builds through the day to 14mph, bringing conditions down to very poor.
Two days at a glance. Swipe for later hours.Five days at a glance. Drag for later hours.
Very Poor today — get one free email when South Padre Island turns Good.
Check South Padre Island from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
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.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at South Padre Island is 1-2ft with a 5s swell period. Wind is SE at 15mph. Conditions are rated Very Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at South Padre Island is 1-2ft, produced by a 3ft SSE wind swell swell at 5s. 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.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf South Padre Island is Sunday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 1ft waves, a 4.9s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
South Padre Island works best with a E swell and W winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.
Tide plays a big role at South Padre Island. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.
South Padre Island is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. 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.
The prime season at South Padre Island is fall, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.
Common hazards at South Padre Island include jellyfish, strong currents, rip currents, sharks, flat spells. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
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. We also verify our offshore swell predictions against NOAA buoy measurements daily — see our accuracy page for those swell-verification metrics (buoys measure open-water swell, not breaking surf size).
