
Surf Forecasts:
81st Street surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 22 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s period, S swell with 307 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period with SSE 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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at 81st Street in the next 16 days are 1.6m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for 81st Street over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about the next couple of weeks for your local stretch.
To be straight with you, it’s a pretty grim run of surf. There’s a long gap of nothing-worth-paddling-out-for from the start, all the way through the first week. You’re looking at tiny, weak waves most days, with a lot of wind blowing straight onshore or cross-on, making a mess of any potential. The water temp is sitting right around 78°, which is totally normal for the time of year, so no surprises there.
The one day that might get your heart beating a little is Wednesday, July 22nd. On the morning, we’ve got the best of the whole forecast. A clean 5ft swell from the south, with a fresh offshore wind from the WSW. That’s the kind of combo that can make a beach break look decent. The combined energy jumps up to 224 (moderate wave energy), which is the biggest pulse we see. The period is only 8 seconds, so it’s a short-period wind swell, not a groundswell, but with that offshore wind cleaning it up, it could offer up some fun, punchy little waves. It’s not a standout for the history books, but in this dry spell, it’s the best on offer. Expect crowds possible at 81st Street, as it’s usually the go-to when conditions line up.
The rest of the run is pretty much a write-off. After that Wednesday window, the swell drops back to knee-high dribble and the wind turns ugly again. There’s a small window on the morning of August 1st with a gentle offshore and a tiny 1ft SSE swell, but that’s a maybe-at-best session. So overall, we’re looking at about 10 days of poor conditions after that Wednesday, with only a few flickers of hope. It’s a tough spell.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 35°C on Sat afternoon, min 25°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Sat night, calm by Sun night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 33°C on Tue afternoon, min 22°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, strong winds from the SSW by Tue night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 13 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | E 5 | E 5 | SE 7 | SSE 4 | SSE 8 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 57 | 43 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 45 | 22 | 27 | 35 | 193 | 222 | 157 | 125 | 36 | 32 | 34 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:32AM0.94m | 11:51PM0.96m | 12:23PM0.94m | 00:39AM0.88m | 1:13PM0.93m | 1:28AM0.81m | 2:04PM0.91m | 2:19AM0.75m | 2:57PM0.89m | 3:12AM0.70m | 3:52PM0.87m | 4:08AM0.67m | 4:48PM0.87m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:19PM-0.05m | 5:47AM-0.07m | 6:14PM0.00m | 6:32AM-0.02m | 7:09PM0.06m | 7:17AM0.02m | 8:06PM0.12m | 8:03AM0.08m | 9:05PM0.16m | 8:52AM0.12m | 10:04PM0.19m | 9:44AM0.15m | 11:02PM0.20m | ||||||||
5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | |
— | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:20 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:17 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | 3 | 3 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 5 | 2 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 29 | 28 | 31 | 35 | 32 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 29 | 33 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 26 | 22 | 24 | 24 |
Feels °C | 32 | 29 | 29 | 33 | 36 | 30 | 29 | 32 | 30 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 29 | 32 | 27 | 29 | 31 | 29 | 19 | 22 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 4 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 13 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | ENE 4 | SSE 8 | E 9 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 |
2 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 57 | 43 | 23 | 23 | 15 | 6 | 15 | 27 | 4 | 193 | 2 | 157 | 125 | 36 | 32 | 34 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | SSE 4 | — | — | E 9 | SSW 5 | E 13 | S 4 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | — | ENE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 |
6 | 2 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 4 | 29 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 15 | E 14 | E 10 | E 14 | E 9 | E 13 | — | E 13 | E 8 | — | E 10 | E 9 | — | E 12 | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 8 | SE 6 |
4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | — | 3 | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNE 2 | — | S 3 | SSE 5 | WSW 4 | SW 4 | — | E 3 | E 4 | E 5 | E 5 | — | SSE 4 | SW 4 | S 8 | SW 4 | NNE 2 | NE 5 | NE 4 | ENE 4 |
— | 1 | — | 5 | 91 | 11 | 3 | — | 4 | 24 | 45 | 22 | — | 35 | 26 | 222 | 8 | 1 | 31 | 9 | 3 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2323 | 1224 | 1232 | 1681 | 283 | 0 | 0 | 119 | 91 | 152 | 584 | 802 | 2138 | 629 | 272 | 751 | 10 | 119 | 246 | 207 | 189 |
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.










