Fort Fisher Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. I gotta be straight with you – this stretch is gonna test your patience. We’ve got a long, quiet spell ahead. From July 9th right through to July 24th, there’s just nothing on offer that’s worth paddling out for. That’s a solid 16-day window with no real surf. It’s the kind of blank run that’s more normal for this area, but don’t let it get you down; things can change.

Let’s look at the only spot we’ve got, Fort Fisher. It’s a beach and reef setup, popular with the intermediate crew, but it's inconsistent and the crowds can be a problem. The swell direction is mostly from the SE, which is fine for the NE exposure, but the energy is pathetically weak – we’re talking values in the 20s and 30s (a combined energy of just 24 to 34) for most of the first week. The waves are tiny, between 1.0 ft and 1 ft. The swell period is a modest 9 seconds, so it’s weak, short-period windswell.

For a brief moment on Sunday, July 12th, the morning looks glassy with a 5 km/h west wind, and the water temp is about average for the time of year. But with a 1 ft swell, it’s basically a lake. We do see a spike on Tuesday, July 14th, with a 4 ft swell from the ENE, but the period is a short 6-7 seconds, and the energy is moderate (185 combined energy). The problem is it’s accompanied by a risk of thunderstorms and strong cross/onshore winds of 25 km/h, making for a choppy, messy mess. That’s too big for beginners and not clean enough for anyone else.

The second week is even quieter. By July 19th, there’s a fleeting 2 ft glassy morning, but it’s a 5-second period, which is just bumpy, weak mush. The wind stays light, but the swell is gone. Honestly, for paddle surfing, this is a complete write-off. If you’re a kite surfer, the windier afternoons, especially around July 14th with that 4 ft bump and strong wind, might look a little more interesting. But for us, it’s a no-go.

Rusty.

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