Hatteras Light House Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s talk about the Cape Hatteras region. I’m lookin’ at the next couple weeks and honestly, it’s a tough stretch to get excited about. For most of this run, the waves are small and the weather ain’t cooperating. We’ve got a whole lotta days where the swell is just ankle-snappers or knee-high mush, with wind that’s cross or cross-off, messin’ with any chance of a clean face.

The water’s sittin’ at about 82° right now, which is just your typical warm summer bath around here for the time of year.

Now, for the first week and a half, you’re lookin’ at a real dry spell. From now through the 16th of August, the wave heights barely top 2 ft, and the energy readings are pitiful—most of the time the combined energy is under 100 (weak) until we see a tiny bump on the 15th. Even then, the wind is cross-onshore, so it’s choppy. The 17th of August offers a little glimmer Monday morning with a 2 ft SE swell and a period of 10 seconds. The wind goes offshore from the WSW at 25 km/h, cleaning things up. The combined energy is 96 (weak), so it’s small but lined up. It’s a beginner-friendly wave, and with that offshore wind, the surface will be glassy. It’s not a standout, just a “maybe you can get wet” kinda day. That afternoon glass-off with a 2 ft SE swell is even smaller.

The real chance, the one that’s got my heart beatin’ a little faster, is Monday the 24th of August. We’ve got a proper pulse of south swell—6 ft of it, with a period of 7 seconds. The combined energy jumps to over 300 (moderate) on both the morning and afternoon. But the real beauty is the wind. In the morning it’s offshore from the WNW at just 5 km/h, glassy as a mirror. In the afternoon it goes cross-off, still light from the WSW. That’s gonna produce clean, fun waves at Hatteras Light House. The swell is solid, not too big for a confident beginner, but enough to get a decent drop on. The direction is south (180°), and this spot wants it from the east, but with the offshore wind and that punch, it’ll still offer up some nice lines. Just know, this spot is very consistent, and crowds are possible, so get there early if you want a piece of the action. This is the one to circle on your calendar.

The 25th of August looks like a cooldown. The swell is still 4-4 ft, but the wind swings NE and east, onshore, choppin’ it all up. So, the real window is narrow.

It’s a long wait, but that Monday the 24th is your bird in the hand. Don’t sleep on it.

- Rusty

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