The Texas coastline accounts for a good proportion of the USA’s beaches on the massive Gulf of Mexico, referred to by surfers as the Third Coast. The state may not be first choice when planning a USA surf trip, but its continuous string of barrier islands receive regular windswell and occasional hurricane swell from the Gulf. There are numerous passes, inlets, piers and jetties, providing the focus for waves along the endless, featureless strands. The intracoastal waterway creates access difficulties away from the bridges and ferries, but 4WDs are permitted on many of the public beaches.
When to Go
Weekly frontal activity brings several days of strong onshore NE-SE winds that can build surf up to the 4-6ft range, but the following W-N offshore winds diminishes the size quickly. Summer is usually flat and although the hurricane season stretches from Jun to Nov, Sept and Oct are more likely to produce storms that cross into the Gulf from the Caribbean. Tidal range is minimal but can affect the strength of the currents at inlets and passes.
Surf Spots
Statistics |
J
|
F
|
M
|
A
|
M
|
J
|
J
|
A
|
S
|
O
|
N
|
D
|
dominant swell |
S -S |
S -SE |
S -SE |
S -SE |
S -SE |
S -S |
swell size (ft) |
3 |
2-3 |
2 |
1-2 |
3 |
3-4 |
consistency (%) |
40 |
35 |
30 |
20 |
50 |
40 |
dominant wind |
N -S |
N -S |
E -S |
E -S |
NE -SE |
N -S |
average force |
F4 |
F4 |
F4 |
F3-F4 |
F4 |
F4 |
consistency (%) |
84 |
81 |
84 |
80 |
67 |
86 |
water temp (C) |
18 |
19 |
24 |
27 |
26 |
21 |
wetsuit |
3/2 |
3/2 |
boardshorts |
boardshorts |
boardshorts |
springsuit |
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Travel Information
Weather
Influenced by continental systems and the warm Gulf of Mexico Texas is constantly switching between periods of settled and unstable weather. South Padre Island enjoys a sub-tropical environment with mild dry winters, and warm breezy summers. Winters are usually mild averaging 18ºC (65°F) and 28ºC (82°F) in summer. Night temperatures are usually much cooler, but very rarely does the temperature drop to freezing. Hurricanes strike Texas once every 3 years on average. Water is warm enough to trunk it all summer long, but winter requires a 3/2 full suit.
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Lodging and Food
A huge spring break hotel capacity ensures good deals the rest of the year. In SPI try La Quinta ($88/dble) or Tiki Condominiums ($100/dble). In Galveston, the Flagship on the pier gave its name to one of the best breaks, but got damaged and demolished. Eat at the Surf Club in Corpus Christi or the pier house next to Horace Caldwell Pier.
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Nature and Culture
Beach is the big attraction here, plus a variety of amusement parks. Schlitterbahn Water Park has a standing wave you can bodyboard on, while Nland Surf Park has opened in Austin showcasing the Wavegarden technology.
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