Surf Forecasts:
Croatan surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 4s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 11s period, SE swell with 99 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 4s period with SSE 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 4s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 6s 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 0.6m 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 4s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 4s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Croatan over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ve stared at the charts for this stretch, and I’m not gonna lie—this is a tough run for Croatan. For the whole 16‑day window, there’s hardly a wave worth paddling out for. The first week and a half is dead: nothing but tiny dribble and bump. From Thursday August 20 to Tuesday September 1, we’re stuck with flat to knee‑high junk, weak energy (14–56 in the combined swell energy), and junky winds. You’d be better off staying at work or cleaning the garage. Even the glassy moments (like Saturday 22 August, calm winds) and the cleaner offshore breezes (Sunday 23 August) can’t fix the fact the waves are barely a ripple at 0.7–1 ft.
The only flicker of something happens on Wednesday 2 September morning—a little 4 ft pulse from the NNE, but it’s a short period wind chop (5–6 seconds), and while the WSW offshore wind keeps it clean, the energy is still weak (117). It’s just “surfable but very ordinary.” Hardly worth calling in sick.
Now, here’s the one true standout, but it comes with a big caveat: Thursday 3 September morning. A 6 ft NE groundswell (6‑second period) rolls in with glassy conditions (ESE 3 mph). The combined swell energy jumps to 323, which is solid moderate energy. The water here is 80° and a touch warmer than normal for the time of year—about a degree above average. That morning looks genuinely clean and fun for a beach/jetty spot. But by Thursday afternoon, the swell picks up to 8 ft and gets messy with cross‑onshore wind and bump. Then Friday 4 September morning pumps a 10 ft NE swell (period 9 seconds) and a massive 1340 combined energy—that’s strong stuff. Wind is light offshore (SW 6 mph), so it would be clean, but 10 ft is too big for this beginner‑friendly break. It’s expert territory and likely closes out or washes through. Afternoon Friday holds 8 ft but with cross‑shore wind and more chop.
So, if you’re an experienced local looking for a window, Thursday 3 September morning is the pick—clean, chest‑high+ groundswell, and the offshore flow should hold. After that, the size gets too heavy for this spot. Friday morning is only for the brave. Otherwise, it’s a long dry spell before and after.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 29mm), heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 32°C on Thu afternoon, min 23°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Warm (max 31°C on Sun afternoon, min 22°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | ESE 8 | SSE 4 | SSE 4 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | E 13 | SSE 5 | E 12 | SE 6 | E 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | S 5 | SSE 6 | ESE 11 | SE 9 | SE 3 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 13 | 25 | 18 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 24 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 27 | 26 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 9 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | on | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 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 | 7:11AM0.96m | 7:30PM1.15m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 1:10PM0.16m | 1:46AM0.11m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | |  | | |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — |
 | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:40 | — |
mm | 1 | — | 6 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | 14 |
Temp °C | 29 | 32 | 29 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 31 | 29 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 31 | 32 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 30 | 29 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSE 4 | SE 4 | ESE 9 | SSE 3 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | SSE 5 | SE 6 | SSE 5 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SSE 6 | ESE 11 | SE 9 | NE 4 |
| kJ | 13 | 13 | 18 | 4 | 16 | 2 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 3 | 27 | 26 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 3 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 4 | — | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 4 | ESE 9 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 5 | E 8 | E 8 | E 12 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | — | E 7 | E 6 | ESE 11 | SSE 6 | E 15 | E 14 |
| kJ | 1 | — | 13 | 13 | 3 | 16 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 11 | 4 | 11 | 3 | 3 | — | 1 | 1 | 11 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 6 | E 15 | E 7 | NE 6 | SSE 4 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | ESE 8 | E 7 | E 7 | NE 4 | — | — | — | E 16 | E 9 | E 9 |
| kJ | — | — | 1 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 5 | 1 | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSE 4 | SW 3 | — | SSE 4 | WSW 2 | — | S 3 | SSE 5 | WSW 3 | WSW 2 | — | N 3 | — | SE 4 | SSW 4 | S 5 | NW 2 | N 3 | NNE 3 | SE 3 |
| kJ | — | 25 | 3 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 5 | 24 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — | 15 | 13 | 24 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 9 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 768 | 803 | 803 | 1231 | 1689 | 138 | 78 | 78 | 0 | 175 | 175 | 176 | 137 | 175 | 356 | 356 | 210 | 175 | 138 | 529 | 484 |
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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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