Surf Forecasts:
81st Street surf forecast from 13 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 9s period, SE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 9s period, SE swell with 114 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 9s period with SE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for 81st Street this week:
The surf forecast for 81st Street over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 4s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at 81st Street in the next 16 days are 0.8m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for 81st Street over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's be straight with you about the surf situation we've got on the horizon. It's a quiet one for now, so if you're Jonesing for a wave, patience is the name of the game.
Right now, and for the next couple of weeks, the only break on the menu is 81st Street. Don't get your hopes up just yet, though. This is a beginner spot and it's notoriously inconsistent, which means it doesn't break often. The water's a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting at 81°F.
Looking at the immediate forecast, Thursday the 13th through the weekend is a washout. We're talking tiny, weak swell - 0.7ft to 1ft from the ESE. The energy in the water is weak (under 100), and the conditions are choppy or blown out. It's just not worth paddling out.
Monday the 17th morning gives a little flicker of hope. The wind goes glassy out of the west, but the swell is still microscopic at 2ft from the SSE with a very short period of 6 seconds. Still labelled as poor surf.
Things stay flat and messy until we get to Friday, August 28th. This is the only real standout in the whole 16-day window, but it comes with a massive caveat. We see a jump in swell, with 5ft from the ENE running at a short period of just 7 seconds. The combined energy jumps to a moderate 293, so the ocean's got some push. However, the wind is onshore from the ENE at 16 mph all day. This is going to create choppy, blown-out conditions. At this size, it's getting too big for the typical beginner crowd, and with the onshore wind, the quality will be low. For an inconsistent spot like this, don't be surprised if it’s a complete mess. Honestly, with that wind and a beach setup, it looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
So, to sum it up: we've got a long, flat run from now until nearly the end of August. The one day with size on the 28th is plagued by onshore wind. It’s a tough outlook. For this area, a blank run like this isn't that unusual. Keep your eyes peeled and your board waxed; forecasts change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Thu afternoon, min 24°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 34mm), heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 32°C on Sun afternoon, min 22°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | |||||||||||||||
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 | E 10 | ESE 8 | SSE 4 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 6 | SSE 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 9 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
7 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 27 | 12 | 9 | 19 | 58 | 47 | 40 | 24 | 114 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-on | off | on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 9:32AM1.00m | 9:53PM1.06m | 10:20AM1.03m | 10:38PM1.01m | 11:05AM1.03m | 11:22PM0.96m | 11:50AM1.02m | 00:06AM0.89m | 12:35PM0.99m | 00:49AM0.82m | 1:22PM0.95m | 1:36AM0.77m | 2:11PM0.92m | 2:26AM0.73m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:17PM-0.06m | 3:48AM-0.07m | 4:08PM-0.04m | 4:30AM-0.05m | 4:58PM0.00m | 5:11AM-0.01m | 5:47PM0.06m | 5:51AM0.04m | 6:36PM0.12m | 6:32AM0.09m | 7:28PM0.19m | 7:16AM0.15m | 8:23PM0.24m | ||||||||
6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | |
— | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:50 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | — | — | 22 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 |
Temp °C | 26 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 32 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 28 |
Feels °C | 27 | 31 | 29 | 32 | 31 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 28 | 31 | 26 | 31 | 31 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SSE 4 | SSE 4 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | ENE 4 | ESE 8 | NE 5 | ENE 5 | E 6 | SSE 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 9 | ESE 12 | SE 4 | ESE 5 | SE 10 | ESE 9 |
7 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 27 | 12 | 9 | 19 | 58 | 11 | 11 | 24 | 16 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 5 | E 10 | E 13 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | SSE 6 | NE 5 | ESE 4 | ESE 8 | — | WSW 4 | SE 9 | SE 15 | ESE 13 | — | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | NE 4 | NE 4 |
1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 7 | — | 1 | 3 | 9 | 17 | — | 47 | 40 | 1 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | E 9 | SE 5 | E 7 | E 7 | ESE 9 | SSE 5 | ESE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | — |
1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SSE 3 | — | NE 3 | NE 3 | NE 4 | — | ESE 3 | S 3 | SSE 5 | S 6 | NW 3 | — | SSE 3 | SE 3 | ESE 4 | SW 2 | — | SE 5 | SE 9 |
— | — | 3 | — | 1 | 2 | 4 | — | 4 | 3 | 69 | 121 | 2 | — | 4 | 6 | 7 | 2 | — | 14 | 114 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2001 | 562 | 1980 | 1656 | 2903 | 304 | 255 | 1235 | 1142 | 937 | 2160 | 271 | 126 | 345 | 4 | 178 | 178 | 2 | 152 | 223 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Virginia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the 81st Street Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for 81st Street provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at 81st Street can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our 81st Street 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 (81st Street) 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 81st Street 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.
81st Street is 4 km (2 miles) from the city of Pylos. If you plan a vacation in Virginia, look for hotels and other accommodation in Pylos. Pylos has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











