Surf Forecasts:
Chicahauk surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 8s period, E swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 8s period, SE swell with 51 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 8s 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m 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 0.6m 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chicahauk over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s happening at Chicahauk over the next couple of weeks.
We’re starting off with a flat, quiet stretch. Nothing worth paddling out for in the first few days – a gap that runs from now all the way to the end of August. The water temp is about what you’d expect for this time of year.
Around the 31st of August, there’s a little pulse of life. Monday morning brings a long-period groundswell at 1ft from the east with an 18-second period. The combined energy is moderate at 125, and with light offshore winds from the WSW at 12 mph, it’ll be glassy. But it’s tiny – more of a hint than a session.
Into the first week of September, the energy picks up. Wednesday the 2nd is the day. Morning sees a solid 5ft east swell with a 12-second period and the combined energy hits 845 – that’s strong. Winds are offshore from the WSW at 12 mph, so it’s clean and well-shaped. By the afternoon, it’s 5ft, still offshore from the SW at just 6 mph, and the energy is 534. This is the clear standout. The swell direction lines up perfectly with the optimum from the east, the winds are right, and the quality is there. It’s not huge, but it’s solid for an intermediate. The period is moderate so the shape should be good at this sandbar. Crowds are possible, so get out early.
Thursday the 3rd holds the size at 5ft but the wind swings to the NNE, cross-onshore and choppy. Quality drops fast. That Wednesday window is your only real shot.
After that, the forecast gets rough – onshore winds, shorter periods, and messy conditions. Nothing else in the second week is worth chasing. It’s one good day in an otherwise quiet run.
So, if you can, aim for Wednesday the 2nd of September at Chicahauk. That’s the one.
Stay salty,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Mon night. Warm (max 30°C on Sun afternoon, min 23°C on Mon afternoon). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Thu night. Warm (max 29°C on Fri afternoon, min 22°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | E 12 | E 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 8 | ESE 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
20 | 12 | 11 | 28 | 27 | 50 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 17 | 27 | 33 | 18 | 42 | 40 | 36 | 23 | 26 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross | cross | off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 4:33AM0.80m | 5:00PM1.07m | 5:24AM0.84m | 5:47PM1.11m | 6:14AM0.90m | 6:32PM1.15m | 6:57AM0.96m | 7:12PM1.18m | 7:35AM1.03m | 7:48PM1.20m | 8:11AM1.10m | 8:24PM1.20m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:47PM0.45m | 10:22AM0.42m | 11:36PM0.41m | 11:13AM0.39m | 00:23AM0.34m | 12:05PM0.34m | 1:02AM0.27m | 12:53PM0.28m | 1:35AM0.19m | 1:35PM0.22m | 2:06AM0.12m | 2:14PM0.18m | 2:38AM0.09m | ||||||
— | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | |
7:44 | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | |
mm | 4 | — | — | — | — | 7 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 6 | 1 | 4 | 4 |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 30 | 29 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 25 | 26 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 27 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 24 | 29 | 30 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | E 8 | E 12 | SSE 4 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | SSE 6 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 8 | ESE 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 |
14 | 11 | 11 | 5 | 27 | 50 | 12 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 17 | 27 | 33 | 18 | 42 | 40 | 36 | 23 | 26 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | NE 6 | E 8 | ESE 12 | SSE 5 | E 7 | ESE 11 | SSE 6 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | E 16 | E 15 | SE 4 | ESE 7 | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 |
20 | 5 | 4 | 28 | 2 | 1 | 23 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 17 | 3 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | E 12 | NNE 5 | E 8 | E 7 | — | E 7 | E 7 | E 6 | E 6 | NE 7 | NE 6 | E 14 | SSE 4 | — | E 8 | NE 5 | — | E 10 |
13 | 12 | 3 | 5 | 4 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 15 | 4 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 8 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 3 | SW 3 | SSE 6 | WSW 3 | — | SSE 5 | — | N 3 | N 4 | NE 4 | E 3 | ESE 3 | — | — | S 3 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 |
4 | 2 | 6 | 1 | — | 9 | — | 3 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 4 | — | — | 5 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 18 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 61 | 466 | 355 | 240 | 61 | 61 | 179 | 492 | 417 | 594 | 854 | 100 | 61 | 1086 | 295 | 0 | 354 | 0 |
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.











