Surf Forecasts:
Holden Beach surf forecast from 29 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 3 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period, S swell with 179 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Holden Beach this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Holden Beach in the next 16 days are 1.4m 7s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 03) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Holden Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, it’s Rusty here. I’ve stared at the charts for the next 16 days around Holden Beach, and I’ve gotta be straight with you – it’s a rough stretch. We’re looking at a long, long gap with no real surf on offer. The first solid recommendation doesn’t appear until the morning of Friday, August 7th, so that’s over a week of flat or poor conditions to sit through.
The water temp is sitting at a warm 84°, which is about 1° above the long-term average for this time of year, so pretty normal for July, but that’s about the only thing that’s normal.
Starting out, from Wednesday July 29th right through to Thursday August 6th, the forecast is a total bust. The swell is tiny, often below 2ft, with short periods under 8 seconds, and the wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore, junking up what little ripple there is. The combined wave energy is weak, sitting in the 20s to 50s, and the surf is just poor. There’s a few glassy moments like Thursday afternoon July 30th, but with only 2ft of weak 6-second swell, it’s barely a ripple. You’d be better off doing something else.
Then we get a glimmer. On Friday morning, August 7th, we see a pulse of 4ft swell from the SE with a 10-second period. That’s a groundswell, and the combined energy jumps to 239 (moderate). The wind is light from the WSW, so it’s a cross-off shore – that’s a major positive for clean conditions. This is the only standout window in the whole 16 days. The waves will have a bit more shape and power than anything else we’ve seen, but it’s still a south swell hitting an exposed beach break, and with that period, it might be a bit straight. The water temp isn’t given for this date, but given the trend, it’ll still be warm. The break is inconsistent, so don’t expect a non-stop party, and crowds are possible.
After that, Saturday August 8th still has some 4ft swell from the SSE, but the wind swings onshore from the S, and the energy drops. By Sunday August 9th, it’s onshore junk again. From August 10th onward, it’s back to tiny, weak swells and poor conditions through the end of the forecast period on August 13th.
So here’s the call: if you’re desperate, point your car at Holden Beach for the morning of Friday, August 7th. That’s your best bet – a clean, long-period groundswell with light offshore wind. It’s not epic, but it’s the only game in town. The rest of the run is a write-off.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 32°C on Wed afternoon, min 23°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 34mm), heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 29°C on Sat morning, min 25°C on Mon afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 6 | S 5 | SSE 6 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 4 | SSE 5 | SE 7 | SSE 5 | S 7 | S 7 | S 6 | S 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 33 | 21 | 23 | 38 | 38 | 39 | 28 | 29 | 37 | 34 | 25 | 36 | 41 | 59 | 179 | 173 | 120 | 68 | 23 | 24 | 19 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | off | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 8:16PM1.54m | 8:27AM1.28m | 8:54PM1.54m | 9:09AM1.31m | 9:32PM1.52m | 9:52AM1.34m | 10:10PM1.48m | 10:36AM1.37m | 10:50PM1.42m | 11:23AM1.40m | 11:34PM1.36m | 12:14PM1.42m | 00:23AM1.30m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:53PM0.22m | 2:42AM0.31m | 2:32PM0.22m | 3:16AM0.29m | 3:12PM0.24m | 3:50AM0.27m | 3:52PM0.27m | 4:25AM0.25m | 4:36PM0.31m | 5:02AM0.24m | 5:24PM0.35m | 5:43AM0.23m | 6:19PM0.39m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | | | | |  |  | | |  | |  | | | | |
 | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — |
 | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:10 | — |
mm | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | 4 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 32 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 31 | 33 | 32 | 28 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 31 | 31 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | SE 8 | SSE 6 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 7 | — | — | — | SE 8 | S 6 | SSW 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 |
| kJ | 33 | 10 | 23 | 38 | 38 | 39 | 28 | 29 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 41 | — | — | — | 46 | 68 | 18 | 24 | 19 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | — | SSW 6 | E 8 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | E 8 | SE 7 | S 7 | — | E 4 | — | — | — | — | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 |
| kJ | 10 | — | 12 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 25 | 23 | 9 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | S 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 5 | SW 6 | — | — | — | — | ESE 2 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 4 | SSE 5 | SSW 5 | SSE 5 | S 7 | S 7 | S 6 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 21 | 11 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 37 | 34 | 25 | 36 | 8 | 59 | 179 | 173 | 120 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 273 | 82 | 82 | 840 | 552 | 273 | 827 | 327 | 971 | 1651 | 328 | 189 | 513 | 538 | 389 | 30 | 29 | 140 | 273 | 284 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Carolina | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Holden Beach Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Holden Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Holden Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Holden Beach 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 (Holden Beach) 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 Holden Beach 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 Holden Beach, camping, hotels and condos and appartments in North Carolina, consider staying in Wilmington which is 48 km (30 miles) away. Other places in and around North Carolina where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Myrtle Beach which is 70 km (43 miles) away and Socastee, 80 km (50 miles) away.
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