Surf Forecasts:
Fort Fisher surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 12s period, SE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 11s period, SE swell with 75 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 12s period with SE 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Fort Fisher in the next 16 days are 0.6m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fort Fisher over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you: the next couple of weeks are looking pretty flat and quiet for Fort Fisher. I’ve scanned the charts, and there isn’t a single day in this 16-day window that I’d call a proper surf. It’s a tough stretch, the kind where you start checking the long-range models just to keep the stoke alive.
The only real glimmer comes on Thursday, August 27th. For a few hours in the morning, we finally see some energy show up. The swell reads at 2.3ft from the southeast with a period of 13 seconds, and the energy jumps to a moderate 201. It’s not huge, but for this stretch, it’s a standout. The wind is light and offshore from the west-southwest, which will keep the surface clean. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there. The catch? This wave is inconsistent, so you’ll be waiting a while between sets, and it's likely to be a bit fat and crumbly. It's a poor-to-ordinary setup at best, but if you need a paddle, that Thursday morning is your best bet.
After that, it fades again. The following days, Friday and Saturday, see the swell energy drop back down and the wind turns onshore from the east, making things choppy and messy. There’s even a risk of thunderstorms on the Saturday. The whole run is just a long, flat spell, really. Fort Fisher is a beach and reef setup that’s fairly exposed, but with the swell this small and all over the place, there’s just nothing to work with. It will take a bigger, more consistent pulse to bring it to life, but that’s not on the cards in this forecast window.
Stay patient, keep the board waxed, and maybe check back next week. This one’s a blank.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 28mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 32°C on Tue afternoon, min 26°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Tue night. Warm (max 31°C on Thu afternoon, min 25°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | E 5 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 12 | SE 11 | ESE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
6 | 11 | 24 | 21 | 2 | 21 | 21 | 35 | 75 | 65 | 42 | 40 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 17 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:37PM1.54m | 11:10AM1.54m | 11:23PM1.47m | 12:01PM1.54m | 00:11AM1.41m | 12:50PM1.53m | 00:59AM1.37m | 1:39PM1.53m | 1:48AM1.34m | 2:28PM1.52m | 2:38AM1.32m | 3:19PM1.52m | 3:29AM1.31m | ||||||
Low Tide | 4:34AM-0.04m | 4:57PM0.09m | 5:14AM0.03m | 5:45PM0.18m | 5:54AM0.09m | 6:36PM0.26m | 6:36AM0.16m | 7:30PM0.31m | 7:22AM0.20m | 8:26PM0.34m | 8:14AM0.23m | 9:20PM0.34m | |||||||
— | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | |
7:58 | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | |
mm | 19 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | 6 | — | — | 7 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 5 |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 31 | 32 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 29 |
Feels °C | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 33 | 33 | 31 | 37 | 36 | 34 | 29 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 34 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 5 | S 5 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 5 | SE 11 | ESE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 4 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | S 5 |
12 | 4 | 24 | 21 | 39 | 21 | 21 | 7 | 75 | 65 | 42 | 40 | 19 | 6 | 17 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 22 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ENE 4 | E 5 | E 6 | E 7 | SE 9 | E 6 | S 4 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | S 4 | SE 8 | E 4 | E 6 | E 6 | SE 15 | ESE 9 |
6 | 11 | 24 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 19 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 18 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 17 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 9 | SW 4 | — | — | — | SE 13 | SE 12 | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 | E 3 | E 4 | E 4 | E 7 | — | E 15 | E 6 | SE 14 |
2 | 2 | 5 | — | — | — | 7 | 35 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — | 4 | 1 | 8 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 4 | ESE 4 | S 4 | SW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | — | S 4 | NE 2 | ENE 3 | — | — | S 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | S 4 | S 4 | — |
— | 7 | 14 | 12 | 1 | 13 | 23 | — | 6 | 2 | 3 | — | — | 10 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 20 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 806 | 559 | 2524 | 368 | 505 | 313 | 38 | 0 | 514 | 0 | 70 | 823 | 344 | 313 | 601 | 124 | 143 | 560 | 70 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Carolina | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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











