Croatan Surf Break

Lat Long: 36.79° N 75.96° W

Croatan Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 19 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Croatan sea temperature is
26.6° C
1.0° 

Croatan surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Croatan surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 8s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 4s period, SSE swell with 31 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 8s 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 4s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 4s is also forecast. 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 0.9m 4s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) 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 0.6m 4s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 2PM.

Wave TypeTime (EDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5PM (Sat 22nd Aug)1ft (0.3m) 8s
Best Surf 5PM (Sat 22nd Aug)1ft (0.3m) 8s
Most Powerful 8PM (Thu 20th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 4s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Croatan over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s happening at Croatan for the next couple of weeks.

First off, I gotta be straight with you – this is a tough stretch. The water temperature is sitting at 80°, which is about 2° warmer than normal for this time of year, so it’s a little above average. But the surf? Man, it’s a grind. From the 19th of August all the way through to the 27th of August, we’re looking at a long run of tiny, weak, and often messy conditions. The combined swell energy is barely cracking double digits for most of that time, with values like 21 (weak energy), 14, and 26 – just not enough push to get excited about. Winds are often cross or onshore, and the swell is mostly under 2 ft. There’s a few clean moments on the 22nd and 23rd with light cross-off winds, but the swell is still pathetic – 1.0 ft to 2 ft. It’s not really surfable.

Then, from the 28th of August, things start to get a little better. The 28th morning sees a slight improvement with 1 ft ESE swell, period 9 seconds, and clean cross-off winds. The afternoon goes glassy, with 2 ft SE swell. The combined energy is still low at 47 and 46 (weak energy), but at least you can paddle out and catch a few crumbly ones. The 29th morning is similar – 2 ft SE swell, period 8 seconds, clean cross-off, energy at 72 (weak). Still nothing to write home about, but it’s surfable.

Now, the real standout – and I mean the only one that might get your heart pumping – is the morning of the 30th of August. We’ve got 4 ft NE swell with a period of 6 seconds, and clean cross-off winds. The combined energy jumps to 175 (moderate energy). That’s the biggest swell we’ve seen in this whole forecast. The wind is clean, so it’ll be rideable. Just a heads up – that 4 ft is getting a little tall for beginners, but it’s still manageable for most surfers. The short period (6 seconds) means it’ll be a bit choppy and less powerful, but with the clean wind, it’s our best window.

After that, the 31st of August and into early September picks up some more energy – 3 ft ENE swell on the 1st of September morning with 260 (moderate energy) – but the wind is cross-on and choppy, so it’s a bit of a mess. The swell is there, but the quality is poor. Croatan is a beach/jetty break, so it can handle a bit of wind, but this is getting rough for paddle surfing. Honestly, that setup on the 1st of September with moderate wind and cross-on conditions might be more interesting for kite surfing than regular surfing.

To sum it up: there’s very little to recommend until the 28th of August, and even then it’s small. Your best bet is the morning of the 30th of August with the 4 ft NE swell and clean wind. After that, the energy builds but the wind turns ugly. Keep an eye on the forecasts, because right now, it’s a waiting game.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 32°C on Thu afternoon, min 24°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Sun night. Warm (max 29°C on Sun afternoon, min 22°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SE
9
0.3
ESE
8
0.9
SSE
4
0.6
SSE
4
0.3
ESE
8
0.3
ESE
9
0.3
ESE
9
0.3
ESE
8
0.2
E
13
0.5
SSE
5
0.4
SSE
7
0.7
SE
4
0.6
SSE
5
0.2
E
12
0.3
ESE
12
0.3
ESE
11
0.3
ESE
11
0.3
ESE
11
0.3
ESE
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
19
13
25
13
13
16
16
14
14
14
18
12
17
11
26
23
22
22
22
Wind (km/h)
10
S
10
S
25
SSE
10
WSW
15
NNE
15
NNE
10
W
10
WSW
15
SSW
15
SSW
15
SW
20
SSE
15
NW
15
NNW
15
NNE
10
S
0
SSE
20
SE
10
SSE
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
glassy
cross-on
cross
High Tide
1:30AM0.81m
2:19PM1.03m
2:26AM0.76m
3:19PM1.01m
3:33AM0.75m
4:22PM1.01m
4:43AM0.77m
5:19PM1.04m
5:41AM0.82m
6:08PM1.08m
6:29AM0.89m
6:51PM1.12m
Low Tide
7:49AM0.23m
8:57PM0.31m
8:42AM0.27m
9:54PM0.32m
9:38AM0.28m
10:51PM0.31m
10:36AM0.27m
11:43PM0.27m
11:32AM0.24m
00:29AM0.22m
12:24PM0.20m
1:09AM0.16m
clear
clear
part cloud
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:24
6:24
6:26
6:26
6:26
6:28
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:50
7:49
7:47
7:45
7:45
7:44
7:42
 mm
13
8
1
6
8
Temp °C
28
30
32
28
25
26
25
24
27
27
26
29
25
24
26
25
25
27
26
Feels °C
30
32
32
30
27
29
27
28
28
30
28
29
25
24
24
23
27
27
25
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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.

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