Fort Fisher Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.90° N 77.95° W

Fort Fisher Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 19 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Fort Fisher sea temperature is
28.8° C
0.7° 

Fort Fisher surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Fort Fisher surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 5s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 9s period, SE swell with 42 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 5s period with S swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Fort Fisher this week:

The surf forecast for Fort Fisher 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 0.7m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 13s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Fort Fisher in the next 16 days are 0.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (EDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Sat 22nd Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 5s
Best Surf 8PM (Sat 22nd Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 5s
Most Powerful11AM (Wed 19th Aug)1.5ft (0.5m) 9s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fort Fisher over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it. Over the next 16 days, the outlook for Fort Fisher is pretty bleak. We’re looking at a long stretch of tiny, weak swell that just isn’t going to get the blood pumping. The water temperature is sitting at a warm 84°F — that’s about 1°F warmer than average for this time of year, so at least the ocean feels nice for a swim, but for surfing? It’s a tough watch.

From Wednesday, August 19, right through to the end of the first week, there’s basically nothing doing. Swell heights are stuck below 2 ft with periods of 8 to 9 seconds, meaning the combined energy is weak, hovering around 40–60 (43–60). The wind is mostly cross or cross-onshore, so the surface is choppy and messy. Saturday morning, August 22, goes glassy with a tiny 1 ft SE swell — calm, but utterly flat. Sunday the 23rd sees a cleaner 0.7 ft swell with a longer period of 12 seconds and offshore wind, but there’s just no size to work with. It’s frustrating.

The gap of poor conditions continues all the way through to the end of the month. Thursday, August 28, finally shows a bit of life: the swell bumps up to 2 ft from the SE, 9 seconds, with the combined energy jumping to 102 — moderate wave energy for the first time. The morning has clean offshore winds from the W, and the afternoon is gentle offshore from the WSW. It’s surfable, but honestly, very ordinary. The break at Fort Fisher is a beach and reef setup, exposed to the NE, but the swell is coming from the SE, which is off its optimum direction. It’s inconsistent here, so don’t expect much. The crowd factor is “often,” so if you’re paddling out, you won’t be alone. This is the best on offer in the whole outlook — a real “if you’re desperate” kind of session.

After that, things go back downhill. The weekend of August 29–30 sees a return to small, messy, cross-onshore junk. On Sunday, August 30, the swell climbs to 3 ft but with a short period of 9 seconds and onshore winds, making it choppy and poor. The combined energy is moderate at 106, but the quality is just not there.

Looking further out, the first two days of September give a glimmer of hope. Tuesday, September 1, shows a 1 ft swell from the SE with a long period of 13 seconds and clean cross-offshore winds in the morning — combined energy of 83. It’s still small, but that period gives it some shape. Wednesday, September 2, has a 2 ft ESE swell, 11 seconds, with clean winds and moderate energy of 106. Again, surfable but ordinary. Nothing here is going to get you excited.

So, to wrap it up: the only real standout is that Thursday, August 28, and maybe a cheeky dawn patrol on September 1 or 2 if you’re feeling optimistic. Otherwise, it’s a long, flat, frustrating run. The water is warm, the wind is mostly annoying, and the waves are just not cooperating. Forecasts can change, but right now, this is a tough one.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 31°C on Thu afternoon, min 23°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 23mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 29°C on Sat afternoon, min 23°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
SE
9
0.5
SE
9
0.4
ESE
9
0.4
SE
8
0.4
SE
8
0.4
SE
8
0.4
SE
8
0.4
SE
8
0.3
ESE
8
0.3
ESE
9
0.7
S
5
0.2
ESE
13
0.2
ESE
12
0.7
S
6
0.2
ESE
12
0.2
ESE
12
0.6
S
5
0.4
SE
11
0.4
SE
11
0.4
SE
10
0.4
SE
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
42
40
30
18
17
17
17
17
12
16
27
17
15
32
14
13
20
30
29
28
28
Wind (km/h)
15
ENE
15
SSE
10
S
10
S
15
S
10
SE
5
ESE
15
SSE
5
NE
0
E
15
S
10
SW
10
WSW
15
SSW
15
SSW
10
SW
20
SE
10
WSW
10
SSW
20
S
25
SSW
Wind State
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
glassy
glassy
cross
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
1:39PM1.53m
1:48AM1.34m
2:28PM1.52m
2:38AM1.32m
3:19PM1.52m
3:29AM1.31m
4:11PM1.53m
4:21AM1.32m
5:03PM1.54m
5:14AM1.34m
5:53PM1.56m
6:04AM1.36m
6:40PM1.57m
Low Tide
7:30PM0.31m
7:22AM0.20m
8:26PM0.34m
8:14AM0.23m
9:20PM0.34m
9:08AM0.22m
10:13PM0.32m
10:01AM0.21m
11:02PM0.29m
10:53AM0.18m
11:49PM0.25m
11:44AM0.16m
00:34AM0.21m
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
clear
clear
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
cloud
mod rain
thunderstorm
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
clear
rain showers
thunderstorm
clear
thunderstorm
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:35
6:35
6:37
6:37
6:37
6:39
6:39
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:53
7:52
7:52
7:50
7:49
7:47
7:46
 mm
4
3
2
8
2
5
3
3
2
6
Temp °C
29
30
29
30
31
29
28
29
28
26
29
25
27
29
28
29
29
27
28
29
28
Feels °C
31
32
32
33
34
32
33
33
31
30
31
27
30
31
30
31
29
29
30
30
29
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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

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