Surf Forecasts:
Fort Walton Pier surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 5s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 5s period, WSW swell with 74 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 5s period with W swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Fort Walton Pier this week:
The surf forecast for Fort Walton Pier over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Fort Walton Pier in the next 16 days are 1.2m 5s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 7PM. 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 4s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 5s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 5s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fort Walton Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you about the next couple of weeks for the Florida Panhandle, focusing on Fort Walton Pier. I’ve looked at the numbers and, honestly, it’s a pretty grim run. There’s a big ol’ gap with no real surf on offer at the start. We’re looking at a whole lot of flat days and weak, choppy scraps.
The first proper wave we see is a tiny 1ft pulse from the WSW on Monday, August 17th. That’s about it. The combined swell energy is a measly 4, so you’re basically just bobbing around. The wind is a light cross-shore from the WNW, so the surface might not be completely trashed, but with a period of just 3 seconds, there’s no push to it. This is strictly a beginner session if you’re desperate to get wet.
Tuesday the 18th looks a little bigger, with a 3ft swell from the WSW in the afternoon, but the energy is only up to 44. The wind swings to a cross-onshore from the SW, making it choppy. It’s not clean, it’s not powerful, and it’s not really worth the paddle out.
The rest of the week just keeps repeating that sad story. Tiny 2ft to 3ft swells, mostly cross-on or onshore winds, and energy levels barely cracking 50. The best looking morning might be Friday the 21st with a light cross-offshore breeze from the NW, but the swell is a pathetic 1ft, so it’s more of a lake paddle than a surf session.
Then we hit a serious dead zone. From Saturday the 22nd all the way through to the end of the month, the wave heights mostly register as flat or 0.3ft. The water will be glassy on a few mornings, like Sunday the 23rd and Friday the 28th, but there’s simply no swell to ride. The combined energy sits at 0 or 1 for days on end.
The only flicker of hope comes way out on Wednesday, August 26th. The morning sees a 3ft swell from the WSW with a period of 5 seconds and energy hitting 59 – the highest we’ve seen. The wind is a cross-onshore from the W, so it won’t be pristine, but it’s the biggest, most energetic wave in the whole forecast. Still, for a 3ft wave, it’s not exactly a standout, just the least terrible option.
After that, it’s back to flatness. Water temp is about average for the time of year, but that’s small comfort when there’s no waves.
Honestly, if you’re looking for a paddle, you might be better off checking if the wind is howling for a kite session, because the surf setup is a total dud. Forecasts can change, but right now, this is a two-week wave drought.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Mon night. Warm (max 33°C on Mon morning, min 26°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Thu night. Warm (max 31°C on Thu afternoon, min 24°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 9 | SW 3 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 5 | W 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 5 | WSW 4 | SW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | SW 2 | WSW 4 | SW 4 | SW 5 | SW 5 | SW 5 | SW 5 | SW 4 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1 | 5 | 25 | 5 | 28 | 22 | 12 | 32 | 27 | 8 | 17 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 44 | 60 | 22 | 22 | 19 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | on | cross | cross | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 1:21AM0.49m | 2:12AM0.52m | 3:08AM0.55m | 4:08AM0.56m | 5:09AM0.58m | 6:06AM0.58m | |||||||||||||||
Low Tide | 1:29PM0.23m | 2:10PM0.16m | 2:49PM0.12m | 3:25PM0.09m | 3:59PM0.07m | 4:31PM0.07m | 5:02PM0.07m | ||||||||||||||
 |  |  | | | |  | |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — |
 | — | 7:25 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:23 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:21 | — | — | 7:20 | — |
mm | — | — | 6 | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 7 | — | — | 3 | — | 1 | 6 | — | 1 | 1 |
Temp °C | 33 | 31 | 27 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 29 |
Feels °C | 35 | 32 | 30 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 34 | 32 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 32 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 30 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 3 | SE 5 | S 6 | S 6 | S 5 | WSW 5 | W 4 | S 5 | — | WSW 4 | — | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | — | — | SW 4 | — | — | SW 5 | — | SSE 4 |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 22 | 9 | 1 | — | 8 | — | 11 | 1 | — | — | 7 | — | — | 22 | — | 3 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 5 | S 8 | — | — | S 8 | S 5 | S 5 | — | — | — | — | N 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 6 |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 3 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | — | W 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 5 | — | SW 4 | — | — | SW 2 | WSW 4 | — | SW 5 | SW 5 | — | SW 5 | SW 4 |
| kJ | — | 5 | 25 | 5 | 28 | — | 12 | 32 | 27 | — | 17 | — | — | 1 | 5 | — | 44 | 60 | — | 22 | 19 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1012 | 1012 | 961 | 500 | 517 | 499 | 500 | 1020 | 1140 | 1140 | 1034 | 1353 | 1122 | 568 | 501 | 1012 | 500 | 25 | 523 | 500 | 523 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gulf Coast, Florida | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Fort Walton Pier Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Fort Walton Pier provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Fort Walton Pier can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Fort Walton Pier 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 Walton Pier) 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 Walton Pier 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.
Fort Walton Pier is 2 km (1 miles) from Fort Walton Beach. If you plan a vacation in Gulf Coast, Florida, look for hotels and other accommodation in Fort Walton Beach. Fort Walton Beach has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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