Fort Fisher Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let's talk about what's coming our way here at Fort Fisher. I've been staring at the charts and there's a lot of waiting ahead. Honestly, the next week and a half is going to be pretty flat. We're looking at a long stretch of marginal to no surf from now all the way through the 24th of August, with tiny, weak energy and mostly poor conditions. There's nothing to get excited about until the very tail end of the forecast.

Let's break it down. Starting off this Tuesday (11th August) right through to the 22nd, it's a long, frustrating run of tiny waves. We're talking mostly 0.7ft to 1.0ft at best, and the wind, while occasionally offshore, just can't work with that lack of swell. The combined swell energy is pitiful, mostly in the single digits to low tens – just 7 to 62 – which is basically zero energy (7). It's clean for sure, with some nice glassy or cross-off winds, but there's nothing to ride. Even Saturday the 15th sees a little bump to about 4ft from the ENE, but it's on a short, weak 5-second period and the onshore wind ruins it. That's a hard pass.

Now, the 19th of August (Wednesday) does bring a slight flicker of hope from a distance. A long-period groundswell rolls in, about 2ft with a 12-second period from the SE. The combined energy gets up to 158 (moderate energy), which is the most we've seen. But here's the killer – the wind is cross-onshore and choppy. The waves will be messy. That makes it tough to recommend.

If I had to pick the only *real* standout, it's looking like Monday the 24th of August, the very last slot in the window. It's still not huge, but for the first time in nearly two weeks, we get a surfable pulse. Around 3ft from the ENE with a short 5-second period, but combined swell energy is 57. The real deal is the wind – a clean offshore breeze from the SW. The break (Fort Fisher - beach and reef) is rated "fairly exposed" to swell, and while it's inconsistent and can get crowded often, that clean, glassy morning is your best chance. The water temperature anomaly isn't provided in the file, so I can't speak to that. For a beginner? The swell is under 5ft, so it's fine, but the short period makes it weak and a bit messy.

So, to sum it up: a long, boring gap from now until the 24th, then a brief, clean but small chance on Monday the 24th. That one morning is your best bet – it's promising for a little peace and quiet, but don't expect much power. Forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a waiting game.

Rusty.

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