Croatan Surf Break

Lat Long: 36.79° N 75.96° W

Croatan Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 14 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Croatan sea temperature is
26.6° C
0.8° 

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


Croatan surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 7s period, E swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 5s period, SSE swell with 59 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 7s period with E 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 Monday (Aug 17) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Croatan in the next 16 days are 1.2m 5s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 11AM.

Wave TypeTime (EDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11AM (Mon 17th Aug)1.5ft (0.5m) 7s
Best Surf11AM (Mon 17th Aug)1.5ft (0.5m) 7s
Most Powerful 2AM (Mon 17th Aug)4ft (1.2m) 5s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve gotta be straight with you—this run coming up is about as flat as it gets. We’re looking at a long, drawn-out stretch of tiny, gutless swell with wind that’s mostly working against us. There’s no real punch in the whole 16-day window, so don’t be holding your breath for anything worth getting wet for. The short board and the step-up can stay in the car for a while.

Let’s start at Croatan—our only real option here, and that’s not saying much. It’s an exposed beach and jetty setup, which means it catches whatever’s out there, but what’s out there is next to nothing. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

We kick off Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th with nothing but junk. Winds are cross-onshore from the NE and SE, bumping up a tiny 0.7ft to 3ft of wind-slop with periods so short (4 to 5 seconds) it’s just chop. Combined energy is barely registering (16 to 46)—this is strictly a sit-on-the-beach day.

Monday the 17th morning is the first faint glimmer. We get a clean 2ft from the east with a 7-second period and offshore wind from the WNW. It’s small, but the surface will be clean. Combined energy is still weak (49). If you’re a beginner or you just want to get wet without a fight, it’s *surfable but very ordinary*. The afternoon turns messy again.

Tuesday the 18th through Thursday the 20th is a write-off. Cross and cross-onshore winds, tiny swell (1ft to 3ft), and periods all over the place. The energy stays in the 20s and 30s, peaking at 56 on Wednesday afternoon, but the wind’s chopping it up.

Friday the 21st to Sunday the 23rd? More of the same. A morning of glassy conditions on the 23rd with a 1ft, 8-second swell and light ENE breeze (39 combined energy) is about as good as it gets, which tells you everything.

The following week, from Monday the 24th to Sunday the 30th, the swell tries to push period a little—up to 13 seconds by Wednesday the 26th—but the height stays tiny (0.7ft to 2ft). The mornings of the 26th, 27th, 28th, and 29th all have clean conditions with offshore or glassy wind, but we’re looking at 1ft to 2ft of groundswell. The energy finally climbs into the 80s on Thursday the 27th (87), which is the highest we see, but it’s still a weak, slow-moving bump. Combined energy reaches 94 on Thursday afternoon, but that’s with cross-onshore wind messing it up.

The best bet? Honestly, if you’re desperate, the morning of Thursday the 27th. Croatan will have 2ft from the ESE (10-second period) with light offshore wind from the W, clean conditions, and the most energy of the whole run (87). It’s small, but it’s the cleanest wave on offer. Saturday morning the 29th is another call with glassy conditions and a 1ft, 9-second ESE swell (47 energy), but it’s a long wait for very little.

There’s nothing here for anyone beyond a beginner on a foamie. The crowd at Croatan is listed as “often,” but with this lack of swell, you’ll have the place to yourself. No standouts, no punch, just a long flat spell.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Sun night. Warm (max 33°C on Mon afternoon, min 24°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 34°C on Thu afternoon, min 25°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
15
Sunday
16
Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
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
1
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)
0.2
ESE
9
0.2
ESE
9
0.6
NE
5
0.6
E
5
0.5
E
5
0.9
SE
4
1.2
SSE
5
0.5
E
7
0.5
ESE
7
0.4
ESE
7
0.5
SE
7
0.4
ESE
11
0.5
SE
10
0.4
ESE
9
0.6
ESE
9
0.7
SSE
4
0.3
ESE
8
1
SSE
4
0.7
SSE
5
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
7
8
17
17
11
22
59
27
27
19
25
49
51
34
53
17
13
38
19
Wind (km/h)
15
NNW
15
NE
15
ENE
10
SE
15
SE
25
SSE
25
SSW
15
WNW
10
ENE
5
ENE
15
N
15
ENE
10
ESE
15
SE
20
SE
15
SSW
15
SSW
25
SSE
10
NW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
off
on
glassy
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
9:50PM1.21m
10:21AM1.21m
10:33PM1.13m
11:07AM1.20m
11:16PM1.04m
11:53AM1.16m
11:58PM0.95m
12:38PM1.12m
00:42AM0.87m
1:26PM1.07m
1:30AM0.81m
2:19PM1.03m
2:26AM0.76m
Low Tide
4:05AM-0.06m
4:28PM0.02m
4:47AM-0.02m
5:19PM0.10m
5:30AM0.05m
6:10PM0.17m
6:14AM0.11m
7:04PM0.23m
7:00AM0.18m
8:00PM0.28m
7:49AM0.23m
8:57PM0.31m
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:20
6:20
6:22
6:22
6:22
6:24
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:55
7:54
7:53
7:52
7:51
7:50
7:49
 mm
3
8
14
Temp °C
31
27
27
25
27
28
26
31
33
29
26
26
25
27
28
26
31
34
31
Feels °C
35
29
29
26
27
27
28
33
34
31
27
27
27
29
29
26
33
35
32
  • 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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