
Surf Forecasts:
Croatan surf forecast from 7 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 8 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 9s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 13 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 7s period, NE swell with 445 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 8 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 9s period with ESE 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 Wednesday (Jul 08) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 3s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Croatan in the next 16 days are 2.1m 7s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 13) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-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 Tuesday (Jul 07) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Wed 8th Jul) | 1ft (0.3m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Wed 8th Jul) | 1ft (0.3m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Mon 13th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Croatan over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's take a look at what's on the table for Croatan over the next couple of weeks.
We've got a bit of a slow start, so don't bother paddling out just yet. The first week is pretty flat, with tiny, weak energy (23-55) and onshore or cross-on winds messing up any chance at a decent wave. Water temps are sitting at a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, about 80°, which is a nice bonus when we finally do get something rideable. The biggest problem is the swell just isn't there. From Monday the 6th right through to the 12th of July, it's a write-off—nothing but ankle-snappers with poor conditions. You'd be better off cleaning the wax off your board.
Things start to show a pulse the following week. On Monday morning the 13th, the combined energy climbs to a moderate 154, but the period is a short 6 seconds and the wind is cross-shore with chop, so it's still not worth getting wet.
Now, here’s the standout. The real action is looking at Tuesday morning the 14th of July. That’s the one to circle on the calendar. We’ve got a solid 6ft of northeast groundswell rolling in with a 9-second period, and the combined energy is a strong 594. The wind is swinging light cross-offshore from the WSW, practically glassy, which will clean things right up. This is a proper groundswell, so the waves will have some punch and shape. The only catch is the size—at 6ft, it’s pushing into intermediate territory and might be a bit much for beginners. Expect the beach at Croatan to be fairly consistent, but with a swell this size and that direction (NE matching the optimum ESE? Not quite, but close enough), it’ll be the best we’ve seen. The afternoon though, don't bother—the wind swings onshore from the SSE at 15 mph and blows it out completely with a wild 1009 energy reading.
After that peak, it drops back off. From the 15th through the 21st of July, we’re back to tiny, weak surf with poor to ordinary conditions. The energy drops into the weak two-digit range again, and the predominant cross-on or onshore breezes make sure it stays choppy and uninviting. There are a couple of clean windows on the 15th and 16th with offshore wind, but the swell is simply too small (2ft–2ft) to make it interesting.
So, bottom line: the first week is a total blank for surf, and the second week only offers one true standout on Tuesday morning, July 14th. Get on it early because the window is tight. From there, it's back to waiting.
Stay salty,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 65mm), heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 31°C on Mon afternoon, min 23°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Thu night. Warm (max 33°C on Fri afternoon, min 25°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mon 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | E 4 | SE 10 | ENE 5 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
16 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 29 | 23 | 34 | 20 | 25 | 46 | 31 | 23 | 10 | 23 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 31 | 192 | 128 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | on | glassy | on | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | off | cross-on | off | off | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross |
High Tide | 1:08AM0.92m | 1:48PM1.05m | 2:00AM0.89m | 2:43PM1.10m | 3:00AM0.86m | 3:43PM1.15m | 4:05AM0.86m | 4:45PM1.21m | 5:10AM0.88m | 5:46PM1.27m | 6:12AM0.92m | 6:44PM1.32m | 7:11AM0.97m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:17PM0.18m | 7:29AM0.02m | 8:15PM0.16m | 8:19AM0.01m | 9:14PM0.13m | 9:12AM-0.01m | 10:16PM0.09m | 10:09AM-0.02m | 11:19PM0.05m | 11:09AM-0.05m | 00:21AM-0.00m | 12:10PM-0.09m | 1:19AM-0.05m | 1:10PM-0.12m | |||||||
— | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | |
8:25 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:23 | — | 8:22 | |
mm | 1 | 3 | — | 5 | 50 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 31 | 24 | 28 | 30 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 27 | 30 | 27 | 30 | 33 | 29 | 29 | 31 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 23 | 24 |
Feels °C | 33 | 23 | 31 | 33 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 32 | 36 | 29 | 31 | 34 | 32 | 31 | 33 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 22 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | SSE 4 | SSE 5 | ESE 10 | SSE 5 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 9 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 4 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 7 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 10 |
16 | 15 | 9 | 18 | 14 | 29 | 23 | 32 | 20 | 25 | 46 | 31 | 23 | 5 | 23 | 17 | 1 | 14 | 14 | 23 | 23 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | NE 6 | ESE 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | SE 8 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | — | E 9 | E 9 | — | S 7 |
— | 18 | 18 | 1 | 16 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 13 | 10 | 4 | 2 | — | 1 | 2 | — | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NE 7 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 8 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 7 | E 9 | E 9 | — | E 9 | E 9 | — | — |
— | — | — | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 5 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 3 | SW 3 | — | SSE 3 | NE 3 | NE 4 | NE 5 | ENE 6 | SSE 4 | — | — | — | SW 2 | W 3 | NNW 3 | — | E 4 | E 4 | ENE 5 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 |
7 | 5 | — | 7 | 8 | 13 | 22 | 34 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | 1 | — | 17 | 19 | 31 | 192 | 128 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2218 | 197 | 175 | 485 | 0 | 138 | 165 | 210 | 78 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 137 | 137 | 138 | 1365 | 636 | 352 | 176 | 33 | 33 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Virginia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











