
Surf Forecasts:
Croatan surf forecast from 29 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 2 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 4s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 4 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 7s period, SSE swell with 88 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 2 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 4s period with SE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Croatan this week:
The surf forecast for Croatan over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 4s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Croatan in the next 16 days are 1.0m 7s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Monday (Aug 03) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 4s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 4s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Tue 4th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Croatan over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking for the next 16 days around Croatan. I’ll be straight with you—this stretch is a tough one. We’re looking at a long, dry spell with barely a ripple worth getting wet for. The first real glimpse of anything surfable doesn’t show up until late in the game.
The pattern is flat and frustrating. For the first ten days, from the 29th of July right through to the 8th of August, the swell is tiny—mostly 1ft to 2ft from the southeast, with short periods around 4 to 8 seconds. The combined wave energy is weak, sitting in the low-to-mid double digits (mostly 19 to 36). Winds are a mixed bag, but the surf is consistently described as “poor surf conditions.” A few mornings do offer clean conditions with offshore or cross-off breezes, like Wednesday the 29th morning with a 2ft SE swell at 7 seconds, but the wave height is just too small to do anything with. It’s a real bummer.
There’s a slight uptick on the 3rd of August (Monday morning), where the combined energy finally bumps up to 91, but the swell is still only 3ft from the SE at 7 seconds. The wind is cross-off, so it’s clean, but the waves are weak and crumbly. Still not worth calling in sick for.
The most promising window comes right at the tail end of the forecast. On the 13th of August (Thursday morning), we finally see a bit of life. Swell picks up to 3ft from the SSE with a period of 8 seconds, and the combined energy is 83. It’s still not big, but the wind is a light SW cross-off, almost glassy. The water temp is about 76°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so grab a spring suit. This is the standout session if you’re itching for a paddle, but it’s still just “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions.” Keep expectations low.
The rest of the period sees a return to tiny, weak swell and onshore winds. There’s a glassy morning on the 11th of August (Tuesday) with 2ft from the SSE, but the energy is a meager 23. It’s honestly more of a flat spell than a surf forecast.
So, the best bet is the morning of the 13th of August at Croatan. It’s clean, the swell direction is okay for the break (optimum from ESE, we’re getting SSE), and it’s the only time the energy cracks into the 80s. For a beginner break, it’s about as good as it’s going to get in this run. But honestly? It’s a long way off, and I wouldn’t hold your breath. The crowds are “often” here, so even on a marginal day, you might have company.
Stay tuned, and maybe clean the wax off your board for that 13th.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Wed afternoon, min 23°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 68mm), heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 28°C on Sun afternoon, min 23°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 3 | SSE 4 | SE 7 | SE 4 | SSE 5 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
18 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 14 | 25 | 23 | 14 | 10 | 15 | 18 | 35 | 19 | 57 | 33 | 31 | 37 | 29 | 16 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross |
High Tide | 8:39PM1.13m | 9:02AM0.95m | 9:17PM1.12m | 9:42AM0.99m | 9:55PM1.11m | 10:21AM1.02m | 10:33PM1.08m | 11:02AM1.06m | 11:13PM1.04m | 11:44AM1.09m | 11:56PM0.99m | 12:29PM1.12m | 00:42AM0.94m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:17PM0.11m | 2:57AM0.06m | 2:58PM0.10m | 3:32AM0.03m | 3:40PM0.11m | 4:08AM0.02m | 4:22PM0.12m | 4:45AM0.02m | 5:09PM0.14m | 5:25AM0.02m | 5:59PM0.15m | 6:09AM0.03m | 6:54PM0.16m | |||||||
— | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | |
8:13 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:07 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 5 | 7 | 40 | 6 | 2 | 1 |
Temp °C | 29 | 25 | 25 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 26 |
Feels °C | 30 | 26 | 23 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | NE 6 | ESE 8 | SE 7 | NE 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | E 8 | SE 7 |
18 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 14 | 25 | 23 | 14 | 5 | 6 | 18 | 1 | 14 | 57 | 33 | 31 | 37 | 1 | 16 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | N 3 | NE 8 | E 10 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NE 5 | NE 6 | SSE 6 | ESE 8 | — | NE 6 | — | — | E 13 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 7 | — | 1 | — | — | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | — | NE 7 | — | SE 6 | ESE 9 | — | NE 6 | NE 6 | — | NE 6 | E 5 | E 13 | — | ESE 8 | — | — |
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | — | 1 | 8 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 3 | — | 7 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 4 | — | NNW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 3 | SSE 4 | SSE 3 | SE 4 | SSE 5 | SW 3 | S 4 | SSE 4 | — | SE 7 | SSE 4 |
4 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 15 | 4 | 35 | 19 | 4 | 12 | 15 | — | 29 | 10 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 137 | 292 | 242 | 175 | 242 | 95 | 622 | 78 | 418 | 1365 | 593 | 694 | 878 | 175 | 0 | 137 | 78 | 138 | 178 | 588 |
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Information about the Croatan Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Croatan provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Croatan can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Croatan 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 (Croatan) 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 Croatan 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.
Croatan is 7 km (4 miles) from the city of Virginia Beach. If you plan a vacation in Virginia, look for hotels and other accommodation in Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










