
Surf Forecasts:
Chicahauk surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period, ENE swell with 226 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 18 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s period with E 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 Friday (Sep 18) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Chicahauk in the next 16 days are 1.4m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 20) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chicahauk over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey, Rusty here again. Let’s talk about Chicahauk in feet and miles per hour.
First up, the first week is mostly a dud. Wind is coming from the worst directions, and the swell is weak and messy. There’s a tiny glimmer on the morning of Friday, September 18th with a clean 3ft wave from the east under a light offshore breeze, but the energy is a paltry 81 (combined energy). It’s surfable, but don't get your hopes up.
The morning of Sunday, September 20th offers clean 1ft waves from the ESE, but again, it’s very weak. Not worth the drive.
The real show starts in the second week. Tuesday, September 22nd brings a 6ft NE swell with moderate energy at 485, but with an onshore wind and a risk of storms, it’s gonna be choppy and ugly.
Friday the 25th and Saturday the 26th is where we score. Saturday morning, September 26th is the standout: a solid 7ft swell from the ENE, clean and glassy with a light cross-offshore breeze from the SSW, and strong wave energy at 555. This is a proper session – too big for beginners, but perfect for anyone with some experience. Crowds are possible, so be sharp.
Sunday morning the 27th pumps even bigger: 8ft from the ENE with huge energy at 897. The wind comes cross-shore from the NNW, so it might be a little bumpy, but the power is unreal. Only for experts.
After that, Monday the 28th still has a 5ft cross-shore swell with 421 energy, but strong north winds will make it lumpy – could be better for kite surfing.
Water temp is about 80°F, a touch warmer than average for this time of year, so you’ll be in boardshorts.
Overall, the first week has a long gap of poor to very ordinary surf. The only real windows for a good paddle are Saturday and Sunday mornings at the end of the month – big, powerful groundswells with clean wind. Mark your calendar.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Mon morning, min 22°C on Tue morning). Mainly strong winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sat afternoon, min 22°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Fri afternoon, fresh winds from the S by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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 | NNE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 12 | ENE 6 | E 11 | ESE 8 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
32 | 91 | 108 | 136 | 150 | 226 | 167 | 163 | 117 | 137 | 104 | 88 | 62 | 34 | 24 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 38 | 37 | 15 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-off | off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 10:20AM1.29m | 10:33PM1.05m | 11:04AM1.25m | 11:16PM0.99m | 11:46AM1.19m | 11:58PM0.93m | 12:28PM1.13m | 00:42AM0.88m | 1:17PM1.09m | 1:36AM0.84m | 2:19PM1.05m | 2:52AM0.84m | 3:26PM1.06m | 3:59AM0.87m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:45PM0.27m | 4:39AM0.25m | 5:34PM0.36m | 5:22AM0.34m | 6:21PM0.44m | 6:06AM0.43m | 7:10PM0.50m | 6:53AM0.50m | 8:08PM0.55m | 7:47AM0.55m | 9:11PM0.55m | 8:50AM0.56m | 10:03PM0.52m | ||||||||
6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | |
— | 7:12 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:08 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:06 | — | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:02 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 31 | 28 |
Feels °C | 29 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 28 | 25 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 32 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 15 | E 14 | E 14 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ESE 8 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 9 |
32 | 32 | 26 | 16 | 4 | 4 | 14 | 163 | 117 | 137 | 104 | 88 | 62 | 34 | 22 | 13 | 8 | 12 | 38 | 37 | 15 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 15 | E 15 | — | — | — | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | ESE 9 | E 11 | E 7 | E 7 | E 11 |
— | — | 4 | 4 | — | — | — | 4 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 25 | 24 | 11 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 9 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 11 | ENE 6 | — | — | E 7 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 3 | — | — | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 2 | NNE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 2 | — | SSE 2 | SSW 3 | SW 3 | S 3 | SSW 4 |
1 | 91 | 108 | 136 | 150 | 226 | 167 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 22 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 61 | 251 | 355 | 1277 | 1086 | 1086 | 1086 | 1086 | 181 | 179 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 594 | 17 | 68 | 1094 | 824 | 0 | 0 | 526 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Carolina | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










