
Surf Forecasts:
81st Street surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 5s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 6s period, ENE swell with 211 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 5s period with S 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 Tuesday (Jul 21) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 7s. 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 1.7m 6s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) 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 1.1m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Tue 21st Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 5s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Tue 21st Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 5s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for 81st Street over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer.
Alright, I won’t sugarcoat it – the next 16 days are looking pretty flat for the most part. We’ve got a real dry spell on the cards, with hardly any surf worth getting excited about. The first solid chance to even think about a paddle won’t come until nearly a week into the forecast, and even then, it’s touch and go. There’s a stretch from the start of the outlook where you’re better off doing something else entirely.
The only name on the sheet is 81st Street. It’s a beginner spot, exposed to swells, but it’s inconsistent, so it’s not the kind of place that’s always pumping. Even when it does get a little bump, it’s rarely a standout.
Let’s run through it. The first few days are a write-off. Tiny waves, poor conditions, and a lot of wind. On Wednesday the 22nd, we get a sniff of something in the afternoon with a 3 ft swell from the SSE at 8 seconds, and offshore wind from the SW. The combined energy is only moderate (98), and it’s described as “surfable but very ordinary.” It’s clean, but honestly, it’s not calling me.
Thursday the 23rd brings a bit more size, with 5 ft from the NE in the morning, but the wind is a cross-onshore mess, and the energy is weak (166). It jumps to 6 ft from the ENE in the afternoon, but the period is a short 6 seconds, and the cross-onshore wind makes it lumpy. That’s not a paddle, that’s a struggle.
The best chance in this whole window comes on Sunday the 26th. The morning looks glassy with a light 5 km/h cross-off wind from the ENE. The swell is tiny, only 2 ft from the ENE, but the glassy conditions are a major positive. The combined energy is weak (44), so it’s going to be small and clean, but for a beginner or someone wanting a longboard cruise, it’s the pick of the bunch. The crowds at 81st Street can be around sometimes, so keep an eye out.
After that, it’s back to the doldrums. There’s a long gap of poor surf and weak energy until the very end. On Monday the 3rd of August, we get another glassy morning with a light W wind, and a 1 ft swell from the East at 10 seconds. The period is getting longer, but the energy is still low (42). It’s another “surfable but ordinary” scenario.
Then on Tuesday the 4th of August, we get a 2 ft SSE swell with offshore wind from the WSW, and a bit more energy (75). It’s clean, but again, it’s not going to set the world on fire.
So, the long and short of it: There is no standout. The glassy Sunday the 26th morning is the best you’ll get, but it’s a small wave day. The late August window is promising but less certain. If you’re a beginner, the 26th might be your one chance. If you’re after anything with power, you’re out of luck. The water temperature is about average for the time of year.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 70mm), heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 32°C on Tue afternoon, min 23°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, fresh winds from the SW by Tue night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 28°C on Wed night, min 22°C on Fri morning). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | SE 8 | ESE 4 | E 5 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 5 | ENE 6 | NE 5 | NE 6 | ENE 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
15 | 14 | 19 | 16 | 12 | 8 | 145 | 77 | 98 | 103 | 120 | 189 | 141 | 77 | 67 | 53 | 56 | 64 | 34 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 1:28AM0.81m | 2:04PM0.91m | 2:19AM0.75m | 2:57PM0.89m | 3:12AM0.70m | 3:52PM0.87m | 4:08AM0.67m | 4:48PM0.87m | 5:05AM0.67m | 5:42PM0.87m | 6:00AM0.68m | 6:32PM0.89m | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:17AM0.02m | 8:06PM0.12m | 8:03AM0.08m | 9:05PM0.16m | 8:52AM0.12m | 10:04PM0.19m | 9:44AM0.15m | 11:02PM0.20m | 10:38AM0.16m | 11:55PM0.19m | 11:32AM0.16m | 00:44AM0.17m | |||||||
— | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | |
8:21 | — | 8:20 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:17 | — | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:16 | — | |
mm | 14 | — | — | 5 | 7 | 3 | 35 | 4 | 2 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 32 | 26 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 24 |
Feels °C | 27 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 32 | 25 | 23 | 29 | 30 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 7 | E 5 | SE 7 | SE 7 | — | SE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ENE 6 |
15 | 14 | 10 | 16 | 12 | 8 | — | 77 | 98 | 103 | 46 | 57 | 43 | 52 | 43 | 44 | 37 | 37 | 34 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 | SE 8 | E 4 | E 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 8 | — | — | — | SSE 6 | — | ESE 7 |
3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 23 | — | — | — | 8 | — | 21 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 10 | — | — | — | E 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
1 | 2 | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 3 | E 4 | ESE 4 | S 3 | S 4 | S 4 | SSE 8 | SSW 4 | SW 4 | NNE 3 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 5 | ENE 6 | NE 5 | NE 6 | — |
3 | 6 | 19 | 4 | 21 | 28 | 145 | 42 | 13 | 3 | 120 | 189 | 141 | 77 | 67 | 53 | 56 | 64 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 178 | 152 | 152 | 805 | 1140 | 1140 | 428 | 272 | 0 | 14 | 190 | 255 | 246 | 246 | 612 | 198 | 246 | 254 | 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.










