
Surf Forecasts:
Chicahauk surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 8s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 22 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period, SE swell with 138 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 8s period with SSE 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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Chicahauk in the next 16 days are 1.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 2PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 8s |
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 in store for Chicahauk.
Honestly, mate, this is a tough stretch. The next week and a half is a bit of a write-off. The first recommendation doesn’t pop up until late July, and even then, it’s nothing to write home about. We’re looking at a long, dry spell with next to nothing on offer until the end of the month.
For the first few days, from the 19th through the 24th, it’s pretty grim. The swell is tiny, mostly ankle to knee-high, with a short, weak period around 8 seconds. The combined energy is weak, barely breaking 100 (46), and the wind is a problem – strong onshore or cross-onshore breezes making a mess of things. You’d be better off looking at a different hobby for this week.
The 25th and 26th are more of the same: small, weak swell, poor quality, and bumpy conditions. The combined energy stays in the doldrums (92). Not worth wetting a wetsuit for.
Finally, on Monday, July 27th morning, we get a brief glimmer. The wind goes glassy, dead calm, which is a major positive. The swell is still tiny, only 3 ft from the east with a short period of 8 seconds, but that glassy surface will make it look better than it is. The combined energy is still weak (77). It’s a surfable wave, but it’s very ordinary. This is the best we’ve got, and it’s not saying much.
The 28th sees a moderate offshore breeze with a 2 ft east swell, keeping things clean, but again, it’s small and weak. The rest of the period into early August stays small, with occasional clean conditions but nothing with any punch. The swell on August 3rd morning shows a 3 ft north-easterly, but it’s a dismal 4-second period, making it just fat and weak.
The standout, if you can call it that, is the glassy morning of July 27th. It’s the only time the stars align for truly clean, if utterly small, waves. The break is a sandbar, exposed to the east, and it’s fairly consistent in terms of breaking, but the swell just isn’t there. Expect crowds to be *sometimes* present, but with this quality, I doubt many will bother.
Bottom line: It’s a lean period. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual. The combined energy barely nudges into the "moderate" range (138) on the 22nd, but the wind ruins it. For the most part, the energy is weak, under 100. For a beginner, the swell never gets above 5 ft, so it’s not too big, but it’s also not good enough. The set-up is more interesting for a kite surfer on a windy day than a paddle surfer.
Stay patient, the forecasts can change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 50mm), heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 31°C on Sun afternoon, min 24°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Mon morning, strong winds from the WSW by Tue afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Wed night. Warm (max 29°C on Wed afternoon, min 24°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SW on Tue night, light winds from the SSW by Wed afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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) | E 13 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 7 | SE 8 | E 10 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ESE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
3 | 42 | 19 | 43 | 19 | 16 | 9 | 10 | 2 | 88 | 138 | 138 | 95 | 77 | 106 | 64 | 128 | 88 | 54 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | cross-off | cross | on | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 11:39PM1.06m | 12:19PM1.10m | 00:25AM0.96m | 1:08PM1.08m | 1:11AM0.86m | 2:04PM1.05m | 2:07AM0.78m | 3:05PM1.04m | 3:15AM0.74m | 4:00PM1.03m | 4:14AM0.73m | 4:48PM1.04m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:06AM-0.04m | 6:42PM0.16m | 6:51AM0.04m | 7:41PM0.24m | 7:36AM0.12m | 8:45PM0.30m | 8:25AM0.20m | 9:44PM0.33m | 9:16AM0.25m | 10:37PM0.34m | 10:05AM0.28m | 11:28PM0.32m | |||||||
— | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | |
8:17 | — | 8:17 | — | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | 2 | 29 | 7 | — | 4 | 2 | 5 | 6 | — | 3 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 29 | 27 | 31 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 |
Feels °C | 28 | 27 | 34 | 26 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 20 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | ENE 4 | SE 8 | — | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 |
3 | 42 | 19 | 43 | 19 | 16 | 6 | 10 | — | 88 | 138 | 138 | 95 | 77 | 71 | 51 | 69 | 69 | 54 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 13 | SE 8 | — | SE 9 | — | SSE 7 | ENE 4 | E 10 | — | — | W 5 | ESE 9 | SE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | S 6 |
2 | 3 | 11 | — | 12 | — | 9 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 1 | 16 | 16 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | E 8 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | ESE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 5 | WSW 4 | SW 3 | SW 4 | NE 4 | ENE 4 | SW 2 | SSW 3 | S 4 | SSW 5 | SSW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | NNW 2 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 5 |
73 | 13 | 2 | 21 | 15 | 6 | 1 | 9 | 50 | 111 | 31 | 20 | 28 | 1 | 106 | 64 | 128 | 88 | 45 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 76 | 91 | 355 | 87 | 61 | 61 | 757 | 383 | 1086 | 77 | 77 | 77 | 0 | 179 | 179 | 321 | 323 | 245 | 100 |
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.










