Fort Fisher Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Look, I’m gonna level with you – this forecast is a tough one. We’ve got a long, dry stretch ahead with barely a whisper of worthwhile surf. The first real chance to even think about paddling out doesn’t show up until Wednesday, July 15th, and even then, it’s a real struggle.

From now until Tuesday the 14th, it’s mostly flat or tiny, choppy, and onshore. Don’t bother. There’s a brief spike of windswell on Monday the 13th pushing 5 ft to 5 ft, but it’s coming from the east with a nasty onshore breeze and a short, weak period of just 6 seconds. The combined energy is moderate (116 to 138), but it’s a total mess. This is a kite surfer’s setup, not a paddle surfer’s.

The only glimmer of hope comes on Wednesday morning, July 15th. Fort Fisher (beach and reef) is forecast to have some tiny, surfable waves around 2 ft from the east. The combined energy is weak (57). But here’s the thing worth getting slightly excited about – the wind goes dead calm, glassy. That’s a major positive for a spot that’s inconsistent at the best of times. On a glassy morning, even knee-high waves can be fun if you’ve got a log. The water temp is sitting at 83°, which is about average for this time of year.

After that little window, we’re back into a long gap of nothing. From Thursday the 16th right through until Friday the 24th, it’s all cross-offshore breezes and tiny, weak swell that barely registers. The combined energy values are pitiful, mostly in the single digits or low teens. It’s a blank run. For an area like this, that’s not totally unusual, but it still stings. There’s a tiny pulse of 4 ft south swell on Saturday the 25th, but the period is short (6 seconds) and the wind is cross-off, so it’ll be lumpy and weak. Not a standout.

Best on offer: Wednesday, July 15th, first light at Fort Fisher. It’s not a classic, but it’s the only chance for a clean, glassy session on a tiny wave.

Rusty.

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