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.

Great day for a beach walk.

82°F water

Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon

Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Southeast wind around 20 mph.

Tonight

Partly cloudy, with a low around 81. South southeast wind 13 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.

Weather

  • 89°F air — hot — hydrate and seek shade
  • 20 mph wind — breezy — anchor everything
  • Sunny skies — mostly sunny

Water

  • 82°F water — warm — full-day swim weather

Safety

  • UV 10 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
67 /100
good
68 Swim
58 Sunbathe
77 Walk
58 Fish
73 Photo

Best for walking today

Air Temp
89°F
Clear
Wind
20 mph
SE
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
10 Very High
High 11 AM–04 PM · burn in ~20m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
89°F
Mostly Sunny
Water Temp
82°F
Swimming weather

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

NWS SRF · BRO · Issued Jul 18, 7:42 AM

Sunrise
7:46 AM
Sunset
9:23 PM
Moon · 18%
Waxing Crescent
Neap tides — smaller range
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.

Today Jul 18
89°

Mostly Sunny

0%
71
Sun Jul 19
89°

Mostly Sunny

1%
71
Mon Jul 20
89°

Sunny

0%
73
Tue Jul 21
89°

Sunny

0%
74
Wed Jul 22
89°

Sunny

1%
78
Thu Jul 23
90°

Sunny

0%
75
Fri Jul 24
89°

Sunny

1%
78
  • critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 10 — very high
  • optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 82°F
  • critical Extra water / electrolytes 89°F - heat risk

Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).

Solunar theory: fish activity peaks at moon transits (major) and moonrise/moonset (minor). All times local.

Minor
11:30 PM - 12:30 AM
Major
5:00 AM - 7:00 AM
Minor
11:40 AM - 12:40 PM
Major
5:20 PM - 7:20 PM

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

lifeguardsrestroomsshowersrestaurantssea turtle centerdolphin tours
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.

Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS

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