Surf Forecasts:
Columbia St surf forecast from 27 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 29 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 6s period, S swell with 105 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Columbia St this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Columbia St in the next 16 days are 1.3m 6s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 02) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Wed 29th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Columbia St over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. This is Rusty, and I’m looking at the next couple of weeks for Columbia St. Honestly, I’ve gotta be straight with you – it’s a pretty grim stretch for paddle surfing. The whole 16-day window is basically a write-off, with nothing worth paddling out for. The first few days here are flat and messy, and it just doesn’t get any better.
We’re looking at at least a week and a half of virtually nothing. From July 27th right through to August 7th, the swell is tiny, the wind is a constant problem, and it’s just poor surf conditions day after day. The combined swell energy is weak, barely cracking 24 (24) on the 27th, and it’s all short-period, 8-second slop from the east and southeast. That’s windswill, not a wave you want to be on. The water temp is about average for the time of year, but that’s small comfort.
Wednesday the 29th morning sees a brief moment of clean, offshore wind from the northwest, but the swell is a pathetic 0.7ft from the east. There’s just no energy. The same goes for the 30th and 31st – glassy or light winds, but the swell is non-existent, with combined energy of 1 (1) and 2 (2). It’s torture.
We do see a tiny bump of energy on August 6th and 7th, with the swell pushing to 3ft from the south, but it’s dogged by terrible cross-onshore and cross-shore winds, making it a lumpy, choppy mess. The combined energy hits 71 (71) on the 7th, but it’s a 6-second period, which is just a short, weak, wobbly wave. For a beginner spot, 3ft is already pushing it, but with those winds, it’s not even worth a look. Honestly, this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
The very end of the run, August 11th Tuesday morning, offers a tease – a glassy morning with 2ft from the south-southwest at 5 seconds. The combined energy is 51 (51), and it’s a clean window, but it’s still a short, weak wave. It’s the only thing that even remotely resembles a surfable moment, but it’s a far cry from a standout. For a spot that’s usually consistent, this is a barren patch. It won’t stay this way forever, but for now, save your wax.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Tue night. Warm (max 34°C on Wed afternoon, min 24°C on Wed morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Sun night, fresh winds from the WSW by Tue night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Wed night, min 25°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | ||||||||||||||
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 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | S 6 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | SE 7 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | S 6 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 40 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 31 | 25 | 105 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 15 | 30 | 31 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 6:31AM0.98m | 7:00PM1.37m | 7:09AM1.03m | 7:36PM1.40m | 7:46AM1.08m | 8:12PM1.41m | 8:23AM1.12m | 8:48PM1.41m | 9:03AM1.17m | 9:27PM1.39m | 9:46AM1.21m | 10:09PM1.36m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:41AM0.24m | 12:30PM0.15m | 1:22AM0.20m | 1:14PM0.13m | 2:01AM0.15m | 1:56PM0.10m | 2:38AM0.10m | 2:37PM0.09m | 3:13AM0.06m | 3:16PM0.08m | 3:48AM0.03m | 3:56PM0.09m | 4:23AM0.02m | ||||||
 | |  |  | |  |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — |
 | 8:16 | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:12 | — |
mm | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 |
Temp °C | 26 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 34 | 32 | 29 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 27 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 30 | 33 | 33 | 30 | 33 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | S 7 | S 6 | S 7 | SSW 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | S 6 | SE 7 | ESE 9 | SE 8 |
| kJ | 40 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 31 | 25 | 41 | 50 | 41 | 43 | 50 | 43 | 12 | 18 | 17 | 28 | 7 | 7 | 10 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 5 | SSE 5 | S 5 | S 5 | E 6 | E 6 | — | E 9 | E 9 | SSE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | SE 7 | SSW 6 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | 33 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 8 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 4 | — | ENE 6 | — | — | — | — | ESE 9 | — | E 8 | — | E 8 | — | SE 9 | ESE 9 | E 8 | E 7 | E 6 | — |
| kJ | 2 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | 3 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 4 | — | S 3 | SSW 5 | SSW 4 | S 6 | — | — | SSW 6 | — | — | — | — | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 |
| kJ | — | 2 | — | 1 | 4 | 17 | 105 | — | — | 58 | — | — | — | — | 5 | 28 | 15 | 30 | 31 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 236 | 925 | 284 | 748 | 259 | 978 | 161 | 1 | 33 | 33 | 21 | 121 | 121 | 111 | 651 | 506 | 284 | 839 | 684 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Carolina | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Columbia St Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Columbia St provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Columbia St can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Columbia St 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 (Columbia St) 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 Columbia St 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.
Columbia St is 12 km (7 miles) from the city of Wilmington. If you plan a vacation in North Carolina, look for hotels and other accommodation in Wilmington. Wilmington has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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