Surf Forecasts:
81st Street surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 8s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 10s period, SE swell with 157 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 8s 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 Sunday (Aug 30) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 5s is also forecast. 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 0.9m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for 81st Street over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s on the table for 81st Street over the next couple of weeks. I’ll be straight with you – it’s a lean period.
We’ve got a long stretch of small, weak surf ahead. The water temp is sitting at 79°, which is just about normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The first real chance to even think about paddling out doesn’t arrive until Thursday, September 3rd. That morning, we see a pulse of 3 ft swell from the SE, but it’s a short-period windswell at 5 seconds. The wind is offshore from the SW, blowing at 12 mph, and the combined energy is only 53 – that’s weak. The waves will be surfable, but the conditions are ordinary. It’s a quiet dawn patrol for someone who just needs to get wet.
After that, it’s back to flat or near-flat nothingness for days. The surf stays tiny, mostly 0.7 ft to 1 ft, with poor energy readings in the teens and twenties. The wind is a mess – onshore or cross-onshore – keeping things choppy and messy.
Then, we get a glimmer in the distance. The standout of the entire outlook is on Wednesday, September 9th. The afternoon session brings a 4 ft swell from the SE with a solid 14-second period. That’s a proper groundswell, and the combined energy jumps to 545 – moderate-strong energy. The wind is light cross-onshore from the SE at 6 mph, so it’ll have a few bumps, but the wave quality and power will be a cut above everything else. This is the best window. The 14-second period means the sets will be a bit more lined up, but it’s a beach break, so expect some sections to close out. Still, for an expert, this is the one to circle on the calendar. The morning of the 9th also has a 3 ft swell from the ESE at 14 seconds and 245 energy, but with a cross-shore wind – a decent warm-up.
Beyond that, the surf drops back to tiny, weak, and mostly choppy through the rest of the second week. There’s nothing else worth a second look.
So, to sum it up: the 9th of September is the only real standout. Head out that afternoon if you want a taste of something with a bit of grunt. The rest of the run is a write-off. Keep your eyes on the forecast, but it’s not looking hopeful.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 28°C on Sun afternoon, min 24°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 31°C on Tue afternoon, min 24°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | SE 4 | SE 5 | ESE 9 | ESE 6 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
23 | 22 | 25 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 7 | 28 | 46 | 56 | 40 | 31 | 15 | 13 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross | off |
High Tide | 9:23PM1.02m | 9:47AM1.02m | 10:01PM1.01m | 10:26AM1.05m | 10:40PM0.98m | 11:06AM1.07m | 11:22PM0.94m | 11:50AM1.08m | 00:08AM0.89m | 12:39PM1.06m | 1:00AM0.84m | 1:36PM1.04m | 2:01AM0.80m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:56PM0.12m | 3:17AM0.08m | 3:38PM0.11m | 3:51AM0.06m | 4:21PM0.11m | 4:27AM0.06m | 5:06PM0.12m | 5:06AM0.07m | 5:55PM0.15m | 5:50AM0.09m | 6:51PM0.18m | 6:41AM0.12m | 7:54PM0.21m | |||||||
— | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:34 | — | — | 7:32 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:30 | — | |
mm | 1 | 4 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 27 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 30 | 27 | 26 | 31 | 30 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 28 | 35 | 32 |
Feels °C | 30 | 30 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 32 | 31 | 28 | 28 | 25 | 30 | 37 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ENE 5 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | NNE 4 | SE 7 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ENE 5 | SE 5 | ESE 9 | ESE 6 |
23 | 22 | 25 | 16 | 16 | 7 | 17 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 2 | 12 | 46 | 56 | 9 | 31 | 15 | 10 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | SE 8 | ENE 4 | NE 4 | SSE 4 | E 5 | — | SSE 4 | SE 7 | ESE 12 | SE 6 | ENE 5 | E 5 | ESE 9 | ESE 6 | SE 4 |
2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 17 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | 3 | 7 | 28 | 6 | 6 | 20 | 16 | 6 | 5 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | E 10 | ENE 10 | S 5 | — | E 9 | E 9 | — | NE 6 | — | E 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | E 9 | ENE 6 | — | — | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ESE 8 |
2 | 2 | 10 | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | — | 1 | — | 1 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 3 | — | — | 6 | 3 | 13 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NE 3 | NE 4 | E 4 | — | — | S 4 | WSW 3 | SSE 4 | S 4 | — | — | — | — | SSE 3 | SE 4 | — | SE 5 | WNW 3 |
— | — | 5 | 7 | 10 | — | — | 15 | 2 | 1 | 10 | — | — | — | — | 5 | 40 | — | 12 | 3 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 126 | 91 | 152 | 91 | 562 | 91 | 2138 | 280 | 152 | 1360 | 306 | 152 | 2221 | 100 | 190 | 363 | 4 | 0 | 14 | 126 |
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.











