88°
Mostly Sunny
14%
76
Cameron County, TX · Gulf of Mexico
South Padre Island Beach
33174 State Park Rd 100, South Padre Island, TX 78597
The southernmost beach town in Texas — 34 miles of barrier-island sand fronting clear Gulf water, a popular spring-break destination, but family-friendly outside that window. Sea Turtle Inc. rehab center is here, dolphin tours run from the harbor, and the SpaceX Boca Chica launch site is visible 5 miles south.
Today's Conditions
Great day for a beach walk.
78°F water · 88°F air
Full NWS forecast for Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Southeast wind 9 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 81. South southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
Weather
- 88°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — mostly sunny
Water
- 78°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
Safety
- UV 10 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
73 /100
great
73 Swim
68 Sunbathe
79 Walk
63 Fish
77 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.6 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
88°F
Partly Cloudy
Wind
9 to 15 mph
SE
Rain
14%
Today
UV Peak
10 Very High
High 11 AM–04 PM · burn in ~20m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
88°F
Mostly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
78°F
Swimming weather
Next Low Tide
7:52 PM
-1.1 ft · in 4.6h
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (TXZ454)
The BRO office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.
- TXZ451 Kenedy Island-Willacy Island-Cameron Island — South Padre Island and Boca Chica n/a
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
7:44 AM
Sunset
9:24 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:03 AM | High | 1.6 ft |
| 7:52 PM | Low | -1.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:58 AM | High | 1.6 ft |
| 8:48 PM | Low | -1.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 7:50 AM | High | 1.5 ft |
| 9:44 PM | Low | -1.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 8:34 AM | High | 1.4 ft |
| 10:39 PM | Low | -0.7 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 8:59 AM | High | 1.2 ft |
| 11:32 PM | Low | -0.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 8:53 AM | High | 1.1 ft |
| 1:39 PM | Low | 0.9 ft |
| 4:33 PM | High | 0.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:23 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 8:07 AM | High | 0.9 ft |
| 1:58 PM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 6:32 PM | High | 0.8 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8779749, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
88°
Mostly Sunny
4%
77
88°
Partly Sunny
2%
80
88°
Partly Sunny
13%
76
88°
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny
15%
43
88°
Mostly Sunny
7%
79
88°
Mostly Sunny
3%
79
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 10 — very high
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 9 to 15 mph wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 78°F
- critical Extra water / electrolytes 88°F - heat risk
- recommended Cooling towel or hat sustained heat
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Best Fishing Times Today
Solunar theory: fish activity peaks at moon transits (major) and moonrise/moonset (minor). All times local.
Major
11:20 PM - 1:20 AM
Minor
5:10 AM - 6:10 AM
Major
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Cameron County parks (Andy Bowie, Isla Blanca) $10/day vehicle fee; drive-on beach access north of the city with permit.
Dogs
Dogs allowed leashed year-round on most of the beach (Isla Blanca near the jetty has restrictions).
Entry Fee
$10/day Cameron County Parks vehicle fee at Andy Bowie and Isla Blanca.
Address
33174 State Park Rd 100, South Padre Island, TX 78597
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at South Padre Island Beach today?
South Padre Island Beach shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is South Padre Island Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs allowed leashed year-round on most of the beach (Isla Blanca near the jetty has restrictions).
Is there an entry fee at South Padre Island Beach?
$10/day Cameron County Parks vehicle fee at Andy Bowie and Isla Blanca.
Are there lifeguards at South Padre Island Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol South Padre Island Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at South Padre Island Beach?
Amenities at South Padre Island Beach include lifeguards, restrooms, showers, restaurants, sea turtle center, dolphin tours.
When is the water warmest at South Padre Island Beach?
The Gulf of Mexico is bathwater-warm by mid-summer — 84-88°F is typical from July through September on the FL Gulf, TX coast, and AL/MS coast. Swimming comfortable from April through October on most of the Gulf.
Where is South Padre Island Beach located?
South Padre Island Beach is in Cameron County, TX, at 33174 State Park Rd 100, South Padre Island, TX 78597.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS