
Surf Forecasts:
Croatan surf forecast from 5 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 6 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 8s period, SSE swell with 73 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 6 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s 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 Thursday (Aug 06) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 10s. 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 0.8m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 08) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Thu 6th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 6th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Sat 8th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Croatan over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's settle in and have a look at what's coming down the line for our local stretch. I've got the charts spread out, and I'm not gonna lie—it's a bit of a quiet stretch ahead.
Right off the bat, we have a gap that stretches from now, right the way through the first part of August. The first possible surf recommendation doesn't kick in until Wednesday the 5th of August. But even then, from Wednesday the 5th all the way through to Sunday the 16th of August, the conditions at Croatan are just not cooperating. We're looking at swell heights barely cracking the 3 ft, with periods that are short and weak—mostly around 4 to 8 seconds. The combined wave energy is low, sitting mostly in the teens or low double-digits (like 37, 48, 35). You're looking at a lot of small, weak slop and a cross-shore wind that keeps it unappealing. The water temp is right around 79°F, which is basically normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.
Honestly, through this entire first stretch, the setup at Croatan is more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. The wind is up, the surf is small and choppy, and the quality just isn't there for a wave count. It's a beach/jetty setup, and with these weak, short-period swells, it's just not going to hold together.
Now, for the brighter side of things. Hang in there, because we get a very slight but noticeable shift around the 16th of August. On Sunday the 16th, the afternoon shows a little bump from the northeast with a swell of 4 ft and a period of 5 seconds. The energy climbs a bit to 71. It's not a stand-out, but it's a shift. Then, Monday the 17th of August morning is where it gets slightly more interesting. We've got a clean 3 ft easterly swell with a period of 6 seconds and a combined energy of 86. The wind is light and cross-offshore, making for clean conditions.
That early session on Monday the 17th is the best on offer across this whole 16-day window. It's not a massive groundswell, but for this region, that clean, glassy morning with easterly energy pushing in will give you some fun, rideable lines. It's a beach break, so the short period (6 seconds) means it won't be too fat, and with only 3 ft, it's a great size for all levels. The water will be clean, the wind will be light, and you'll have the place to yourself. It's a true standout, but only in the context of how flat this run has been.
After that, Tuesday the 18th slides back into cross-onshore chop, and the rest of the week stays small and uninspiring. So, the takeaway is this: get out early on Monday the 17th of August if you can. That's your window. Otherwise, it's a blank run for a while.
Stay patient, stay stoked.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 33°C on Fri afternoon, min 24°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 34°C on Sat afternoon, min 25°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | ||||||||||||||
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 4 | SSE 5 | SE 6 | SSE 4 | S 5 | SE 6 | SSE 4 | S 5 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSE 5 | SE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 9 | SSE 5 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
33 | 25 | 30 | 31 | 27 | 19 | 17 | 33 | 44 | 24 | 33 | 12 | 36 | 40 | 11 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 21 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:35AM0.90m | 2:16PM1.16m | 2:36AM0.87m | 3:20PM1.18m | 3:44AM0.87m | 4:28PM1.21m | 4:54AM0.91m | 5:33PM1.25m | 5:59AM0.97m | 6:33PM1.29m | 6:57AM1.05m | 7:27PM1.31m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:53PM0.17m | 7:51AM0.05m | 8:54PM0.16m | 8:48AM0.05m | 9:58PM0.15m | 9:50AM0.03m | 11:03PM0.12m | 10:55AM0.01m | 00:05AM0.07m | 11:59AM-0.03m | 1:02AM0.01m | 12:59PM-0.07m | 1:52AM-0.04m | |||||||
— | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | |
8:06 | — | — | 8:05 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | |
mm | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 31 | 29 | 28 | 32 | 30 | 29 | 33 | 30 | 28 | 34 | 31 | 30 | 33 | 29 | 30 | 34 | 32 | 30 | 33 | 30 |
Feels °C | 31 | 31 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 33 | 31 | 29 | 33 | 31 | 31 | 33 | 31 | 32 | 36 | 33 | 32 | 36 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 4 | ESE 6 | SE 6 | E 10 | ESE 6 | SE 6 | E 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSE 5 | SE 7 | E 9 | ESE 7 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SSE 5 |
1 | 16 | 30 | 2 | 8 | 19 | 2 | 28 | 44 | 24 | 33 | 12 | 2 | 5 | 11 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 21 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 9 | E 9 | NE 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | ESE 7 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ESE 7 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 |
1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 21 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 9 | — | E 8 | — | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 4 | SSE 5 | — | SSE 4 | S 5 | SW 3 | SSE 4 | S 5 | SSW 4 | S 4 | SW 3 | SSW 4 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | W 3 | S 6 | S 3 | SW 3 | S 3 | — |
33 | 25 | — | 31 | 27 | 1 | 17 | 33 | 10 | 12 | 6 | 7 | 36 | 40 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 5 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1132 | 1365 | 14 | 1137 | 210 | 78 | 401 | 137 | 0 | 78 | 175 | 137 | 0 | 175 | 175 | 228 | 514 | 378 | 218 | 175 |
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.











