
Surf Forecasts:
Chicahauk surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 10s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 15 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 7s period, ENE swell with 141 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 10s period with ESE 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 (Sep 13) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 5s. 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 1.3m 7s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Friday (Sep 11) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Tue 15th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chicahauk over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what Chicahauk has got cooking over the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – this isn’t a classic run for the sandbar. We’re looking at a pretty flat and messy start. The first proper chance to even think about getting wet won’t roll around until Sunday the 13th, and even then, it’s barely a whisper of swell. Most of the first week is dominated by poor surf conditions with weak energy readings down around 36 to 43, so don't even bother paddling out before then.
Sunday, September 13th is where we finally see a pulse. The morning offers up a clean 2ft swell out of the ESE with a moderate offshore wind from the WSW. The combined energy is a modest 69. It’s surfable, but very ordinary. The afternoon glass-off is the real highlight here – a 2ft ESE swell with 9-second period and glassy conditions. The energy is still low at 64, so it’s small and gutless, but the clean surface means you’ll get a few fun ones if you’re on a log. Nothing to write home about, but it’s the best we get in the first week.
Then the long-range window gets interesting. After a massive gap of nothing much beyond crummy, blown-out junk from strong onshore winds and weak swell, we finally see something promising on Saturday, September 26th. This is the standout of the entire outlook. The morning shows a clean 4ft swell from the E, with an 11-second period, pushed by a moderate offshore wind from the WSW. The combined energy hits 299, which is a solid moderate punch. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there. This is the one to circle on the calendar.
Keep in mind that longer-period groundswell like this (11 seconds) can break a bit straight at a beach setup like Chicahauk, but the offshore wind and clean conditions make it the best trade-off on offer. Crowds can be a factor here sometimes, so don’t expect to have it to yourself if word gets out.
For the rest of that second week, Saturday is your day. The week before it is a write-off with near-gale force winds and huge, blown-out waves – that's kite-surfing territory, not paddle surfing.
Stay stoked, wait for that Saturday session, and I’ll catch you in the water.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 29°C on Sat afternoon, min 24°C on Fri morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Thu night, calm by Fri afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sun night, min 22°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
14 | 34 | 35 | 20 | 32 | 35 | 37 | 61 | 59 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 87 | 84 | 85 | 128 | 105 | 100 | 88 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | off | glassy | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 8:14AM1.30m | 8:29PM1.25m | 8:56AM1.33m | 9:09PM1.19m | 9:37AM1.32m | 9:50PM1.12m | 10:20AM1.29m | 10:33PM1.05m | 11:04AM1.25m | 11:16PM0.99m | 11:46AM1.19m | 11:58PM0.93m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:05AM0.02m | 2:26PM0.07m | 2:43AM0.02m | 3:11PM0.11m | 3:20AM0.07m | 3:57PM0.18m | 3:58AM0.15m | 4:45PM0.27m | 4:39AM0.25m | 5:34PM0.36m | 5:22AM0.34m | 6:21PM0.44m | |||||||
— | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | |
7:17 | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:12 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:08 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 24 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
Feels °C | 25 | 28 | 32 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 25 | 32 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 25 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | NE 5 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ENE 7 | E 14 | E 14 | E 7 |
14 | 34 | 35 | 20 | 32 | 35 | 13 | 61 | 59 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 15 | 15 | 128 | 14 | 4 | 88 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 9 | E 8 | NE 8 | E 11 | NNE 5 | NE 5 | ESE 10 | NE 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | S 5 | E 15 | E 15 | E 15 | E 14 | — | — | E 13 |
3 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 5 | 6 | 37 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | — | — | 14 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 8 | — | E 8 | E 8 | — | E 9 | E 8 | — | SSE 5 | ENE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 4 | W 3 | — | — | SE 2 | SE 3 | S 3 | SW 3 | W 3 | — | — | NNE 3 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | — | ENE 7 | E 7 | — |
24 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 3 | 87 | 84 | 85 | — | 105 | 100 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 91 | 61 | 1279 | 61 | 878 | 1090 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 93 | 181 | 439 | 833 | 1269 | 1640 | 1874 | 907 | 907 | 93 |
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.










