Surf Forecasts:
Fort Fisher surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s period, S swell with 38 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 0.8m 6s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fort Fisher over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here again, but this time in feet and knots. Looking at Fort Fisher, and it's a grim picture. The water's a warm 84°F, which is normal for the season, but that's about the only good thing. We have a massive dry spell with nothing worth paddling out for from now until the end of August. The first whisper of a wave doesn't come until Tuesday, the 1st of September.
From now through Monday, the 31st of August, the surf is just flat-out poor. You're looking at tiny, weak waves, with combined energy readings barely cracking 100, and short-period swells that won't hold up. The winds are mostly cross or cross-off, but the wave quality is just not there. Even the Saturday the 22nd of August morning, which has a tiny 2ft south swell with clean offshore winds, the energy is still weak and the period is a useless 5 seconds. It's a total skunk.
The only standout, and I mean the *only* one in the whole 16 days, is the afternoon of Tuesday, the 1st of September. We get a jump in energy to 5ft from the east with a moderate energy reading of 850. The wind is light and cross from the SSE, so the surface won't be too torn up. The swell period is a short 12 seconds, so it won't be a groundswell classic, but it's the only time the wave height actually gets to a point where you can get a proper ride. The downside is that for a beach and reef setup, that east swell direction is not the optimum NE, but it's the best we're going to get. It's a marginal call, but it's the only call.
The forecast beyond that, into the 2nd and 3rd of September, drops right back off into the poor category. There's a long, dry spell ahead. For now, mark your calendar for the 1st of September, but don't hold your breath.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 31°C on Thu afternoon, min 25°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Sat night. Warm (max 30°C on Sun night, min 24°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | S 6 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
30 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 18 | 17 | 38 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 33 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 23 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 7:22AM0.20m | 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 | |||||||
— | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | |
7:53 | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | — | 9 | 4 | — | 7 | 2 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 30 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 33 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 31 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | S 6 | SE 11 | S 6 | S 5 | SE 10 | SSE 5 |
30 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 7 | 15 | 14 | 62 | 33 | 31 | 13 | 28 | 8 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 4 | S 4 | — | E 6 | S 4 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 14 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 12 | E 7 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ENE 3 | SE 10 |
1 | 2 | — | 1 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 1 | 30 | 29 | 1 | 23 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 5 | E 7 | E 6 | — | E 6 | E 6 | SE 10 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | — | E 7 | SSE 6 | E 7 | E 7 |
1 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 4 | 18 | 17 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SSW 3 | — | S 4 | S 4 | SSW 5 | S 5 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | SSW 6 | S 6 | ENE 3 | ENE 3 | S 5 | S 5 |
— | — | — | 3 | — | 5 | 18 | 38 | 55 | 38 | 54 | 80 | 77 | 112 | 60 | 2 | 3 | 14 | 13 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 771 | 837 | 1171 | 554 | 1588 | 267 | 12 | 12 | 313 | 559 | 35 | 108 | 13 | 12 | 127 | 12 | 543 | 1171 | 517 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Carolina | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
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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











