Hatteras Light House Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Hatteras Light House. We’ve got a full 16-day window, but to be honest, it’s a tough one. The first few days are a write-off, and we’ve got big gaps where the surf just isn’t worth paddling out for.

The overall pattern is a lot of wind and messy conditions. For the first week, we’re looking at a gap from Friday, July 31st, right through to Wednesday, August 5th, with nearly nothing worth getting wet for. The energy is weak, with the combined swell energy sitting at just 39 (kJ/m²) on Friday morning, and it’s battling poor surf conditions. The water temp is a warm 80°, which is about average for the time of year, so you won’t need a thick suit.

Now, let’s get into the few moments that might offer a glimmer. The first real standout doesn’t come until Sunday, August 2nd, but it’s a tricky one. By Sunday afternoon, a swell builds to 5 feet from the south, with a short period of 7 seconds and moderate energy (223 kJ/m²). The wind is cross-off from the SSW at 25 mph, which keeps it clean, but the raw power and short period mean it’s not the most user-friendly wave. It’s not a beginner’s day.

The next potential highlight is Monday, August 3rd. The swell holds at 6 feet from the south with a period of 7 seconds, and the combined energy is solid at 298 (kJ/m²). Again, the wind is a strong cross-off. This is a push for stronger surfers, but it’s still a bit raw and the stormy conditions (risk tstorm) make it a gamble.

Moving into the second week, it’s a bit of a blur. The best bet in the whole forecast period is likely Tuesday, August 11th. That afternoon, the swell drops to a tiny 2 feet from the south, but the wind goes glassy from the NNE at 3 mph. That’s a major positive. The combined energy is only 51 (kJ/m²), so it’s weak, but it’s the cleanest window we get. Surfable, but very ordinary.

Then on Wednesday, August 12th, we get a clean offshore wind from the west at 16 mph in the morning. The swell is still small at 2 feet from the south, with weak energy (54 kJ/m²). It’s clean, but tiny. For a beginner looking for a gentle, clean session, this is your best chance. The crowds here are listed as "sometimes," so you might have some company, but it won’t be packed.

The biggest and most powerful swell of the window hits on Sunday, August 9th. The combined energy is a massive 464 (kJ/m²) in the morning, jumping to 686 (kJ/m²) in the afternoon. Swell height is 6 to 8 feet from the south, with a period of 8 seconds. But the wind is a strong cross-onshore from the ESE at 28 mph, turning into a gale-force onshore from the ENE at 40 mph. It’s a complete mess. This setup is way more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. Leave it.

Overall, there’s no true standout. The surf is marginal at best. The second week offers a few cleaner windows, but the size is tiny. For a beginner, Wednesday morning, August 12th, with that offshore wind and small clean waves, is the pick of a very lean bunch. Keep an eye on the forecasts, because it can’t stay this poor forever.

Rusty.

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