Croatan Surf Break

Lat Long: 36.79° N 75.96° W

Croatan Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 13 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Croatan sea temperature is
26.8° C
1.2° 

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


Croatan surf forecast from 13 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 9s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 13 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period, E swell with 153 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 9s 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 Wednesday (Jul 15) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m 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 1.4m 6s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 13) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be 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 Thursday (Jul 16) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (EDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Wed 15th Jul)1.5ft (0.5m) 9s
Best Surf 5AM (Wed 15th Jul)1.5ft (0.5m) 9s
Most Powerful 2PM (Mon 13th Jul)4.5ft (1.4m) 6s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be honest about the next two weeks at Croatan. Looking at the whole picture, it’s a pretty grim stretch. We’ve got a full 16 days on the calendar, but the surf is going to be a real struggle for most of it. There’s a long gap with nothing worth paddling out for from the start all the way through until the very end. The conditions are mostly poor, with onshore winds and weak, short-period windswell. The water is sitting at 80°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year.

For the first week and a half, from July 13th right through July 27th, the call is basically "leave the board in the car." The swell is tiny, with heights barely scraping 3ft, and the energy is weak (between 13 and 224). The wind is a mess – mostly onshore or cross-onshore, making it choppy and bumpy. It's just not worth the effort.

Now, there is a glimmer right at the very end. On July 28th afternoon, we finally see a change. The wind swings offshore from the W, and the waves, while still small at 1ft from the ESE with an 8-second period, become clean. The combined energy is still weak (54), but it’s the only window with clean, surfable conditions. It’s not a standout by any stretch, just the only option. The break is a beach/jetty here, so the long-period groundswell isn't a factor, but we don't have any. For beginner surfers, this tiny, clean surf is about as safe as it gets.

If you’re really desperate for a paddle, that Tuesday afternoon is your only shot. The rest of the period is a write-off, and frankly, the setup looks more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer on most days with that consistent onshore wind.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Wed afternoon, min 22°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 34°C on Sat afternoon, min 24°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Thu morning, fresh winds from the SSW by Sat night).

Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
AM
PM
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
0
0
0
0
0
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)
1.4
E
6
1.3
E
6
0.9
E
6
0.8
ESE
6
0.5
E
6
0.3
ESE
9
0.3
ESE
9
0.4
ESE
8
0.3
ESE
8
0.3
ESE
8
0.7
SSE
4
0.8
S
4
0.2
ESE
8
0.2
ESE
8
0.2
ESE
8
0.3
SSE
6
0.5
E
3
0.8
SSE
5
0.5
SSE
6
0.6
SSE
7
0.7
SE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
148
137
63
43
16
15
15
22
12
11
14
24
6
7
6
6
6
27
21
35
67
Wind (km/h)
25
E
20
E
15
E
15
ENE
10
ESE
15
SW
10
WSW
15
SSE
15
SW
5
SW
20
SSE
15
SW
20
NNE
10
E
10
SSE
15
SSE
25
S
15
SW
20
WSW
20
NNE
15
NNE
Wind State
on
on
on
cross-on
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
off
cross-on
cross
High Tide
7:40PM1.34m
8:07AM1.02m
8:34PM1.34m
9:02AM1.07m
9:26PM1.30m
9:56AM1.10m
10:15PM1.24m
10:48AM1.11m
11:03PM1.16m
11:39AM1.11m
11:49PM1.06m
12:29PM1.10m
00:34AM0.96m
Low Tide
1:10PM-0.12m
2:12AM-0.10m
2:07PM-0.14m
3:02AM-0.12m
3:02PM-0.13m
3:50AM-0.12m
3:56PM-0.09m
4:38AM-0.10m
4:50PM-0.03m
5:25AM-0.06m
5:46PM0.04m
6:11AM-0.02m
6:44PM0.11m
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
thunderstorm
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:54
5:54
5:56
5:56
5:56
5:58
5:58
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:22
8:22
8:22
8:22
8:21
8:21
8:20
 mm
1
2
1
Temp °C
25
25
25
25
26
24
28
32
31
30
33
33
28
29
27
29
34
31
30
33
27
Feels °C
25
24
25
26
26
25
30
32
31
33
34
34
27
28
26
32
33
31
30
35
27
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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