Surf Forecasts:
Croatan surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 10s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 15 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s period, ENE swell with 303 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 10s 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 Sunday (Sep 13) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 4s. 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 1.6m 8s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 15) 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 Sunday (Sep 13) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Tue 15th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Croatan over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, mate, Rusty here. Let me break down what we've got.
It's been a quiet, tough stretch, and I'm being straight with you – there's nothing worth paddling for over the next ten days. We're looking at a long dry spell from now all the way through to the 22nd of September. The water's sitting at a warm 80°, which is way above average for this time of year, but that's the only highlight. The swell's tiny, the wind's mostly onshore or cross-onshore, and every session is a total bust. It's a proper dead zone.
Now, here's where it gets exciting. After that long wait, things finally fire up on Wednesday the 23rd of September. The surf at Croatan is going to absolutely jack up, with a clean, moderate offshore wind from the west. We're looking at a solid 8ft to 10ft of ENE swell rolling in, and the energy reading is off the charts – a massive 1014 to 1421. This is big, powerful stuff. The period is 8-9 seconds, giving it some punch, but at that size, it's strictly for experienced surfers only. The break is a beach/jetty setup, so with that much power and size, it'll be a heavy, hollow wall that will eat beginners alive. If you're not on your game, stay on the sand.
But here's the rub. It gets even bigger on Thursday the 24th. The swell jumps to a massive 12ft from the ENE with a longer 11-second period. The energy reading is staggering, hitting 2382 to 2434. The problem is the wind swings to a fresh cross-shore from the north, which will chop things up and make it a real battle. At that size, it's just too much for the spot. You'd be dealing with ugly, lumpy conditions.
If you're an expert and you want the best of the bunch, you get out there early on Wednesday the 23rd. That morning session with 8ft and clean offshore wind is your only real window for something special. It won't last long before the swell gets too raw and the wind turns sour. For the rest of us, it's a frustrating wait, but that one morning is a proper, meaty standout.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 30mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 28°C on Sat afternoon, min 22°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, fresh winds from the N by Mon morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Thu afternoon, min 21°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | NE 5 | NE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 33 | 50 | 23 | 36 | 33 | 40 | 31 | 51 | 68 | 96 | 257 | 210 | 181 | 147 | 112 | 112 | 69 | 38 | 27 | 15 | 11 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 9:07AM1.30m | 9:21PM1.16m | 9:51AM1.29m | 10:02PM1.09m | 10:33AM1.25m | 10:43PM1.02m | 11:15AM1.20m | 11:24PM0.95m | 11:58AM1.14m | 00:08AM0.88m | 12:44PM1.08m | 00:56AM0.83m | 1:36PM1.03m | 1:51AM0.80m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:18PM0.03m | 3:30AM0.00m | 4:03PM0.08m | 4:09AM0.05m | 4:48PM0.15m | 4:49AM0.12m | 5:35PM0.22m | 5:31AM0.20m | 6:25PM0.28m | 6:18AM0.27m | 7:18PM0.33m | 7:10AM0.32m | 8:15PM0.36m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | | | |  |  |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — |
 | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:12 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — |
mm | 4 | — | 12 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 |
Temp °C | 27 | 28 | 27 | 24 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 29 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 23 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 24 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 4 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 15 | E 15 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 |
| kJ | 16 | 17 | 7 | 36 | 33 | 40 | 31 | 31 | 16 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 69 | 38 | 27 | 15 | 9 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 10 | ENE 4 | E 4 | E 4 | — | SSE 6 | E 15 | — | — | — | — | E 14 | — | — | E 12 | SSE 5 | SSE 4 | E 12 | E 12 |
| kJ | 20 | 32 | 23 | 4 | 2 | 2 | — | 3 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | 12 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 11 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 9 | ESE 9 | E 12 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 |
| kJ | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 8 | 12 | 7 | 7 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 4 | SE 9 | S 3 | SSW 4 | S 4 | — | N 3 | NE 5 | NE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 7 | E 7 | — | — | — | SE 3 | S 4 |
| kJ | 33 | 50 | 4 | 7 | 2 | — | 5 | 51 | 68 | 96 | 257 | 210 | 181 | 147 | 112 | 112 | — | — | — | 4 | 9 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1137 | 1129 | 137 | 0 | 78 | 0 | 176 | 292 | 852 | 481 | 481 | 242 | 255 | 255 | 242 | 747 | 1083 | 0 | 0 | 540 | 78 |
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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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