Texas
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.
Sat, May 16: 3–4ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 3-4ft and poor with moderate SSE wind around 12mph. Afternoon breeze fills in to 21mph.
Sun, May 17: 3–4ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 3-4ft and poor conditions with 26mph out of the SSE.
Mon, May 18: 4–5ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 4-5ft and mostly poor with 22mph out of the SE.
Tue, May 19: 5–6ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 5-6ft and mostly poor with 19mph ESE winds.
Wed, May 20: 4–5ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Early morning is your best window — 4-5ft waves on ESE swell at 7s with light winds out of the SE. The ESE wind kicks in by afternoon — 14mph and poor by then.
7s period — unlock the full 16-day forecast to track it
Takes 10 seconds with Google or Apple.
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 3-4ft with a 5.4s swell period. Wind is SSE at 23mph and conditions are rated 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 3-4ft, produced by a 4.7ft SE 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 Wednesday from 7 AM to 10 AM with 5ft waves, a 7.4s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
