Surf Forecasts:
Chicahauk surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 9s period, SE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 9s period, SSE swell with 51 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 9s period with SE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Chicahauk this week:
The surf forecast for Chicahauk over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Chicahauk in the next 16 days are 0.3m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chicahauk over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s shaping up for us, and I’ll be straight with you: the first week and a half is going to be tough. Surf is tiny, messy, or just plain not cooperating. We’re looking at Chicahauk (sandbar) for the whole run, and it’s a slow start.
The water is running at 83°F right now, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – you might not need a spring suit at all.
From Tuesday the 11th all the way through to the end of Sunday the 16th, the surf is poor. We’re talking ankle-snappers at 0.7ft to 2ft with weak energy readings in the teens and twenties (energy values like 13, 18, 24), mixed with onshore and cross-shore winds that are going to keep it lumpy and uninviting. There’s nothing worth paddling out for here. You’re better off doing something else.
Wednesday the 19th is where things finally wake up. The swell jumps to 3ft from the ESE with a period of 12 seconds – that’s a proper groundswell, and the combined energy hits 204 (moderate energy). The catch is that the wind is onshore from the ENE, so it’ll be bumpy and closed out. Not exactly clean, but there’s some push behind it. This is the first day it’s even worth looking at the ocean. Thursday the 20th morning hangs in there with 3ft from the SE, same period, energy at 151, but again the wind is onshore. It’s a step forward from the flat spell, but not a standout.
Honestly, the best shot in this whole 16-day window is the morning of Sunday the 23rd. We get 3ft of swell from the SSE, a light offshore breeze from the WSW, and clean conditions. The energy is 84 (still weak, but the wind and tide alignment make it surfable). It’s nothing to call home about, but if you’ve been checking the forecast for two weeks, this is the cleanest window we get. The swell direction isn’t a perfect match for the optimum (E), but the glassy offshore wind makes up for a lot.
This isn’t a time for beginners or anyone expecting a proper wave. It’s small, inconsistent, and most of the days are a write-off. Still, that Sunday morning might give you a few fun walls if you’re patient.
Stay tuned, things can shift. Forecasts change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 32°C on Tue afternoon, min 23°C on Tue night). Mainly strong winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Fri morning, min 23°C on Sat afternoon). Winds increasing (calm on Sat night, fresh winds from the SSW by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SSE 4 | ESE 8 | N 5 | ESE 8 | SE 4 | SE 4 | ESE 8 | SE 6 | SE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | NE 5 | NE 5 | SE 8 | SSE 3 | SE 8 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 7 | 18 | 8 | 6 | 21 | 22 | 18 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 17 | 42 | 32 | 24 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:14PM1.33m | 7:43AM1.11m | 8:04PM1.33m | 8:33AM1.17m | 8:50PM1.30m | 9:21AM1.21m | 9:36PM1.23m | 10:09AM1.22m | 10:22PM1.15m | 10:58AM1.21m | 11:07PM1.05m | 11:43AM1.19m | 11:50PM0.97m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:50PM-0.02m | 1:47AM-0.06m | 1:47PM-0.06m | 2:31AM-0.10m | 2:38PM-0.06m | 3:13AM-0.10m | 3:29PM-0.01m | 3:56AM-0.06m | 4:22PM0.07m | 4:40AM0.01m | 5:17PM0.17m | 5:24AM0.09m | 6:10PM0.26m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — |
 | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — |
mm | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | 17 |
Temp °C | 27 | 32 | 31 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 31 | 25 |
Feels °C | 29 | 34 | 31 | 25 | 29 | 26 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 30 | 25 | 24 | 21 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 33 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SSE 4 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | NNE 4 | NE 6 | SE 4 | ESE 8 | SE 6 | SE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SSE 6 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 | SE 8 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 |
| kJ | 4 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 21 | 22 | 18 | 11 | 8 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 17 | 42 | 32 | 24 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | S 6 | E 8 | ESE 8 | E 10 | NE 5 | ENE 5 | — | E 13 | E 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | NE 5 | NE 6 | — | E 18 |
| kJ | 8 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 2 | — | 3 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 7 | 1 | 1 | — | 6 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 11 | NNE 5 | E 14 | ESE 8 | E 13 | E 13 | E 7 | E 12 | E 12 | SE 4 | — | SE 8 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — | 11 | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | WSW 3 | NW 3 | N 5 | SE 3 | SE 4 | WSW 2 | S 4 | WSW 3 | WNW 3 | NNE 3 | NE 4 | NE 5 | SSE 6 | — | SSE 3 | S 4 | SW 4 | S 4 | S 6 |
| kJ | — | — | 4 | 5 | 14 | 2 | 18 | 1 | 19 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 14 | 4 | — | 8 | 35 | 11 | 18 | 35 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1403 | 2660 | 1403 | 1070 | 1699 | 183 | 1403 | 2789 | 417 | 1991 | 100 | 327 | 417 | 594 | 594 | 837 | 916 | 837 | 0 | 327 | 197 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Carolina | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Chicahauk Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Chicahauk provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Chicahauk can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Chicahauk surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Chicahauk) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Chicahauk may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Chicahauk is 52 km (32 miles) from the city of Elizabeth City. If you plan a vacation in North Carolina, look for hotels and other accommodation in Elizabeth City. Elizabeth City has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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