Surf Forecasts:
Fort Fisher surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 15 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 6s period, ENE swell with 182 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 1.6m 6s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 15) 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 0.7m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fort Fisher over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here with the look ahead for Fort Fisher. Gotta be straight with you – it’s a tough stretch. We’ve got a long, dry spell of nothing but poor conditions staring us down right from the start. No real surf on offer for the first week or so, just small, messy windswell with onshore and cross-onshore winds messing everything up. You’re looking at a gap of about 8 days where it’s just not worth paddling out.
Now, things start to get a bit more interesting around Monday the 21st of September. We get a pulse of energy – combined energy jumps to 314 (moderate wave energy) – with waves pushing 6 ft from the ENE. Problem is, the period is a short 7 seconds, and the conditions are still only marginal. It’s a light cross-on breeze, so it’s not completely trashed, but it’s not clean either. Probably more of a “have a look” day than a standout.
Tuesday the 22nd of September morning shapes up as the best window. The wind swings to the NNW at 9 mph, giving us a clean cross-off breeze. Swell is a modest 4 ft from the E with a 6-second period and combined energy of 95 (weak wave energy). It’s not pumping, but with the clean conditions, it’ll be the most user-friendly surf we’ve seen in a while. The water temp is sitting at about 82°, which is pretty normal for this time of year.
After that, the winds hold clean through Wednesday the 23rd morning, but the wind strength picks up to 19 mph – that’s a fresh breeze and it’s going to be a battle, even if it is cross-off. The swell stays small and weak. The rest of the period fades back into poor quality with onshore winds and weak energy.
Honestly, Fort Fisher is a beach and reef setup that’s inconsistent at the best of times, and this outlook is no exception. The crowds are often around here, so if you do head out, you won’t be alone. If you’re a beginner, keep an eye on that 6 ft day on the 21st – it might be a bit much. For now, the best bet is Tuesday morning the 22nd: clean, small, and surfable if you’re not too picky.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Warm (max 32°C on Mon afternoon, min 23°C on Tue morning). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 26°C on Thu afternoon, min 21°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 6 | E 6 | E 5 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 6 | E 5 | E 5 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 45 | 41 | 39 | 38 | 38 | 182 | 97 | 103 | 88 | 52 | 72 | 37 | 77 | 60 | 43 | 32 | 15 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 11 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 2:41PM1.51m | 2:55AM1.34m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 7:18AM0.33m | 8:40PM0.44m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |  | | |
 | 6:52 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — |
 | — | 7:21 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:17 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:14 | — | — | 7:13 | — |
mm | 3 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 32 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 23 | 26 | 25 |
Feels °C | 30 | 31 | 30 | 32 | 35 | 25 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 21 | 26 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 5 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | — | E 15 | E 15 | E 14 | E 8 | SE 14 | E 7 | SE 13 | SE 13 | E 7 | ESE 12 | E 7 | E 5 | E 5 | E 6 | SE 8 |
| kJ | 24 | 41 | 39 | 38 | 38 | — | 4 | 4 | 4 | 31 | 7 | 24 | 7 | 6 | 43 | 15 | 9 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 11 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | — | E 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 4 | — | — | — | — | SE 14 | — | SE 14 | E 9 | SE 9 | SE 13 | SE 9 | ESE 12 | E 7 | SE 9 | SE 9 | E 6 |
| kJ | 45 | — | 1 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | 7 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 14 | 4 | 12 | 12 | 7 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 9 | ESE 12 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | E 7 | ESE 12 | SE 11 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 15 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 13 | 5 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | — | ESE 2 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 6 | E 6 | E 5 | E 7 | E 7 | — | E 6 | E 5 | — | — | — | S 3 |
| kJ | — | 24 | 12 | — | 1 | 182 | 97 | 103 | 88 | 52 | 72 | 37 | 77 | 60 | — | 32 | 15 | — | — | — | 5 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 13 | 316 | 70 | 70 | 1179 | 514 | 127 | 127 | 22 | 151 | 1235 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 942 | 826 | 769 | 824 | 823 | 143 |
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
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