
Surf Forecasts:
Fort Fisher surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 7s period, ENE swell with 157 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Fort Fisher this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Fort Fisher in the next 16 days are 1.3m 7s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 12) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fort Fisher over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer for Fort Fisher over the next couple of weeks. I’ve gotta be straight with you – it’s a pretty grim stretch. The wind and swell just aren’t lining up for much of anything rideable for the vast majority of the forecast. There are big gaps here where you’re better off leaving the boards in the shed.
The first solid shot doesn’t even show up until Monday the 21st of September, and even then it’s barely a whisper. Before that, we’re staring down a solid week of tiny, wind-affected junk. From now right through to the 20th, it’s all super small – ankle to knee-high max – with a constant cross or onshore breeze messing up what little bumps there are. The combined wave energy is weak, barely registering (45 or less). It’s just not worth paddling out.
Now, on Monday the 21st of September afternoon things finally get a pulse. The swell bumps up to about 4ft, coming from the ENE, but it’s a short-period slop at 5 seconds, with a combined energy of 95 – still weak. The wind swings light offshore from the SSW, so it’ll be clean, but the wave quality is still just “very ordinary” because there’s no power or shape. You might get a few crumbly walls, but it’s not turning any heads.
The best bet in the whole window is Tuesday the 22nd of September morning. The wind goes completely glassy – dead calm – and we have a clean 3ft swell from the ESE with a period of 8 seconds. The water temp is sitting at 81°, which is pretty standard for this time of year. Combined energy is only 79, so it’s not pumping by any means, but with glassy conditions it will be the most user-friendly surf of the whole run. Ideal for a longboard or a fun shape to get a few gentle, clean lines. The break itself is a beach and reef setup, and crowds are often around, so you won’t be alone.
After that, it’s back to mediocrity. Wednesday the 23rd sees a bit of bump with 3ft and a clean cross-off wind, but the energy is still low (116), and it’s hardly a standout. By Thursday the 24th we get a tiny pulse of 3ft from the south with a clean offshore wind in the morning, but the swell period is a pathetic 5 seconds – totally weak sauce.
For a couple of days around the 26th and 27th of September the swell tries to push back up to 4-4ft from the ENE, but the wind is straight onshore or cross-on from the NE at 15 mph, making it choppy and lumpy. Combined energy climbs a bit (124-164), but the quality is poor – it’s basically a messy, blown-out shorebreak. With the strong onshore wind and a beach setup, this looks more interesting for kite surfing than a paddle session.
To wrap it up: Tuesday the 22nd morning is your one true standout. It’s the only time you’ll find clean, glassy surf, even if it’s small. Everything else in this 16-day window is either too small, too windy, or both. A long gap of nothing from now until the 21st, then just a few fleeting glimpses of hope. Keep an eye on the forecasts – things can change, but right now, don’t get your hopes up.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 31°C on Mon afternoon, min 22°C on Tue morning). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Fri morning. Warm (max 27°C on Thu afternoon, min 20°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | E 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | E 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | E 6 | E 7 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
39 | 42 | 45 | 41 | 39 | 38 | 30 | 130 | 139 | 114 | 119 | 74 | 139 | 157 | 122 | 39 | 27 | 15 | 14 | 7 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 9:18PM1.60m | 9:47AM1.65m | 10:01PM1.54m | 10:33AM1.63m | 10:46PM1.47m | 11:20AM1.60m | 11:33PM1.41m | 12:09PM1.56m | 00:22AM1.37m | 12:59PM1.54m | 1:12AM1.34m | 1:50PM1.52m | 2:03AM1.34m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:00PM0.03m | 3:19AM0.01m | 3:46PM0.09m | 3:58AM0.07m | 4:30PM0.16m | 4:35AM0.14m | 5:15PM0.25m | 5:09AM0.21m | 6:01PM0.33m | 5:45AM0.27m | 6:51PM0.40m | 6:26AM0.30m | 7:45PM0.44m | |||||||
— | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | |
7:22 | — | — | 7:21 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:17 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:14 | — | |
mm | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 2 |
Temp °C | 27 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 31 | 26 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 30 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 32 | 34 | 25 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 5 | ESE 9 | — | E 15 | E 15 | E 14 | E 9 | SE 14 | SE 14 | SE 13 | E 6 | E 7 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 |
39 | 42 | 45 | 41 | 39 | 13 | 30 | — | 4 | 4 | 4 | 24 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 39 | 27 | 7 | 6 | 6 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | E 5 | SE 9 | S 5 | — | — | — | — | SE 14 | — | — | SE 9 | E 7 | ESE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ESE 9 |
— | — | — | — | 1 | 38 | 7 | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | — | 3 | 16 | 12 | 10 | 5 | 7 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | E 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 12 | SE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | E 7 |
— | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | 6 | 15 | 14 | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 4 | S 4 | S 5 | S 5 | SSW 5 | — | — | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | E 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | E 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | — | — | — | SE 5 | — |
6 | 20 | 23 | 22 | 32 | — | — | 130 | 139 | 114 | 119 | 74 | 139 | 157 | 122 | — | — | — | 9 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1236 | 504 | 290 | 318 | 13 | 70 | 833 | 514 | 127 | 127 | 22 | 621 | 64 | 127 | 151 | 942 | 311 | 982 | 806 | 543 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Carolina | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Fort Fisher Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Fort Fisher provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Fort Fisher can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Fort Fisher 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 (Fort Fisher) 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 Fort Fisher 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.
Are you planning a vacation in North Carolina? If you are looking for accommodation near Fort Fisher, camping, hotels and condos and appartments in North Carolina, consider staying in Wilmington which is 41 km (25 miles) away. Alternatively, find information about places to stay and car hire in Myrtle Beach which is 90 km (56 miles) away










