Surf Forecasts:
81st Street surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 8s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 4s period, SE swell with 45 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 8s period with ESE 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m and 3s 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 1.1m 4s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 2PM. 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 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 1ft (0.3m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 1ft (0.3m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Tue 25th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 4s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for 81st Street over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for 81st Street over the next couple of weeks.
Straight up, I gotta be honest with you – this is a tough stretch. We’re looking at a long, dry spell. From Wednesday the 19th of August right through to the end of the month, it’s pretty much a write-off. The waves are tiny, mostly under 2 feet, and the wind is just never on our side. There’s a few moments of glassy conditions on Monday the 24th morning and again on Tuesday the 25th morning, but with swell heights of only 0.7 feet to 3 feet and a period of 3 seconds on that Tuesday, there’s just no energy. The combined swell energy is weak, sitting between 20 and 30 (24 on Monday, 23 on Tuesday). The water temp is about average for the time of year, so no surprises there.
We finally see a little flicker of hope on the 1st of September. Tuesday morning brings a clean 1.0 foot swell from the east-southeast with a very long period of 15 seconds, and a light cross-offshore breeze. The combined energy is still weak (75), but it’s surfable. That long period means the waves will have some shape, but at this size, it’s really only for the beginner crew or someone wanting a longboard cruise. The afternoon gets messy, so the morning is your only window.
Then Wednesday the 2nd of September morning, we get a similar situation: 1.0 foot from the east-southeast, a 13-second period, and a gentle offshore wind from the southwest. Again, combined energy is weak (68), but it’s clean. This is a spot that’s inconsistent and sometimes has crowds, so don’t expect a party, but if you’re a beginner lookin’ for a paddle, this is the best on offer.
Honestly, there’s no standout swell in this whole 16-day window. The best you can hope for are those two mornings in September with tiny, clean waves. If you’re a more experienced surfer, this stretch is a bust. The consistent poor conditions and small size mean it’s not worth getting excited about. Forecasts can change, but as it stands, we’re in a quiet patch.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 32°C on Thu afternoon, min 22°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 28mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Sun afternoon, min 24°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSE 4 | NE 5 | ENE 5 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 13 | ESE 13 | E 12 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
41 | 23 | 20 | 19 | 13 | 13 | 7 | 43 | 31 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 11 | 20 | 14 | 26 | 24 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | off | off | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:36AM0.77m | 2:11PM0.92m | 2:26AM0.73m | 3:06PM0.89m | 3:23AM0.70m | 4:05PM0.87m | 4:24AM0.70m | 5:04PM0.88m | 5:25AM0.73m | 5:58PM0.91m | 6:20AM0.77m | 6:46PM0.94m | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:16AM0.15m | 8:23PM0.24m | 8:05AM0.20m | 9:22PM0.28m | 9:00AM0.23m | 10:23PM0.29m | 10:00AM0.25m | 11:20PM0.28m | 10:59AM0.24m | 00:10AM0.25m | 11:55AM0.22m | 00:54AM0.21m | |||||||
— | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | |
7:52 | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | |
mm | 3 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | — | — | 7 | 4 | 8 | 1 | — | 1 | 5 | — | 2 | 2 |
Temp °C | 28 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 30 | 32 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 31 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 33 | 34 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 31 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSE 4 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ENE 5 | NE 5 | ENE 5 | E 8 | SSE 5 | SE 5 | ESE 12 | SE 7 | SE 5 | SSE 4 |
41 | 23 | 20 | 19 | 13 | 13 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 14 | 13 | 7 | 6 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 8 | SSE 4 | SSE 4 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ENE 5 | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 |
3 | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 14 | 26 | 24 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NE 4 | — | — | E 6 | E 15 | E 15 | E 14 | SE 4 | E 13 | E 13 | ESE 13 | E 12 | NE 5 | E 7 | — | E 7 |
— | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 16 | 11 | 1 | 4 | — | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 2 | NNE 2 | — | S 2 | S 3 | SSE 4 | NE 3 | NE 5 | ENE 5 | SE 4 | — | SE 4 | SSE 5 | — | NNE 2 | SSE 7 | — | — | WSW 3 |
1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 43 | 31 | 5 | — | 3 | 22 | — | 1 | 20 | — | — | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 164 | 164 | 790 | 407 | 458 | 793 | 793 | 801 | 1597 | 793 | 310 | 91 | 14 | 164 | 379 | 119 | 4 | 418 | 109 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Virginia | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.











