Surf Forecasts:
81st Street surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 7s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 15 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period, ENE swell with 221 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 17 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 7s period with E 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 (Sep 17) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at 81st Street in the next 16 days are 1.4m 8s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 5PM. 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 Friday (Sep 18) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Tue 15th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for 81st Street over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming our way.
Honestly, it’s a bleak start. We’ve got a 16-day window ahead, but for the first week and a half, there’s next to nothing worth paddling out for. Expect a long dry spell from now all the way until late in the second week. The first real glimmer of hope doesn't show up until Wednesday the 23rd.
The Early Days (12th to 22nd September): Forget it. The surf is tiny, the wind is mostly onshore or cross, and the energy is weak – mostly under 100 (weak energy) through the first week. It’s all marked as poor conditions. Even when the wind goes offshore or glassy, like Sunday the 13th afternoon (light westerly 3 mph), the swell is only 1 ft from the SE with a period of 9 seconds. That’s barely a ripple. The combined energy is 28 (weak). There's nothing to work with.
The Standout – Wednesday 23rd September (81st Street): After days of nothing, this is the one to circle. Wednesday morning sees a jump to 8 ft from the ENE, period 8 seconds, with a cross-offshore westerly wind at 16 mph. The combined swell energy hits 807 (moderate). The water temp is 80°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year. The afternoon cleans up even more with the same 8 ft swell, 9-second period, and a combined energy of 1132 (moderate). This is the only real window of decent, clean surf. It’s a bit on the bigger side (over 8 ft), so this one’s for the experienced crew only. The break is a beach, so with that ENE swell direction and the period at 9 seconds, it should offer some shape.
The Glimmer (27th September): By Sunday the 27th, things settle back down. Morning and afternoon both show 3 ft to 3 ft from the E, with a clean offshore SW wind at 6 mph. The combined energy is 117-137 (weak). It’s surfable but very ordinary. You’ll get a wave, but don’t book the day off work.
Crowd Warning: 81st Street can see crowds sometimes. Given that the only solid swell in the whole 16 days is on Wednesday the 23rd, expect it to be busy.
Overall, we’re looking at a long period of flatness, then one standout day for experts, then a return to small, clean but weak waves. It’s a tough run.
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 Sat night, fresh winds from the N by Mon morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Thu night, min 20°C on Wed morning). 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) | E 4 | ESE 5 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | NE 5 | NE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ESE 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 29 | 32 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 29 | 20 | 35 | 48 | 80 | 221 | 173 | 147 | 117 | 88 | 112 | 65 | 37 | 16 | 15 | 14 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 9:54AM1.11m | 10:11PM1.00m | 10:35AM1.10m | 10:52PM0.95m | 11:16AM1.08m | 11:31PM0.89m | 11:57AM1.04m | 00:12AM0.84m | 12:39PM0.99m | 00:55AM0.80m | 1:26PM0.94m | 1:44AM0.76m | 2:19PM0.91m | 2:41AM0.74m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:49PM0.03m | 3:55AM0.02m | 4:34PM0.07m | 4:33AM0.06m | 5:18PM0.12m | 5:10AM0.11m | 6:03PM0.19m | 5:50AM0.17m | 6:50PM0.26m | 6:33AM0.22m | 7:42PM0.31m | 7:21AM0.27m | 8:39PM0.34m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | |  |  |  | | | | |  |  | | | | | | |
 | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — |
 | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:12 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:08 | — | — | 7:07 | — |
mm | 2 | 3 | 14 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 |
Temp °C | 26 | 28 | 28 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 27 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 32 | 32 | 28 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 31 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ESE 9 | ENE 5 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 15 | E 14 | E 14 | E 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 |
| kJ | — | 8 | 7 | 24 | 23 | 29 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 117 | 88 | 70 | 65 | 37 | 16 | 15 | 9 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ESE 9 | SE 10 | E 4 | SSE 4 | E 4 | — | SSE 6 | E 15 | E 15 | — | E 14 | — | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | SSE 4 | SSE 5 | E 12 | ESE 12 |
| kJ | — | 32 | 23 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | 4 | 4 | 4 | — | 4 | — | 4 | 4 | 13 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 14 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | E 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 9 | E 13 | ESE 12 | SE 9 | ESE 8 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 13 | 15 | 3 | 7 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 4 | ESE 5 | S 4 | SSW 4 | S 4 | — | N 3 | NE 5 | NE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | — | — | E 7 | — | — | — | SE 3 | S 4 |
| kJ | 29 | 28 | 4 | 8 | 2 | — | 7 | 35 | 48 | 80 | 221 | 173 | 147 | — | — | 112 | — | — | — | 2 | 10 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1145 | 1142 | 126 | 4 | 91 | 4 | 190 | 280 | 842 | 490 | 490 | 243 | 243 | 243 | 254 | 738 | 1073 | 2 | 4 | 530 | 91 |
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.
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