Surf Forecasts:
Holden Beach surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 22 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 7s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 7s period, SSW swell with 355 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 22 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 7s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Holden Beach this week:
The surf forecast for Holden Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 7s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Holden Beach in the next 16 days are 1.9m 7s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Holden Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let's talk about Holden Beach. This stretch of coast is staring down a pretty flat spell for the next week or so. The first sign of anything rideable won't show up until Wednesday the 22nd, so we’ve got a solid week of small, choppy, and onshore junk to sit through. Most of the early stuff is coming from the SSE or SSW with periods in the 4-8 second range, which is just weak, short-period windswell. The winds are mostly onshore or cross-on, making it a mess. If you're into kite surfing, the afternoons around the 19th-21st might offer some breeze, but for paddle surfing, it's a no-go.
Wednesday the 22nd is where we finally get a little window. The morning is looking glassy with no wind at all, and we’ve got a 5ft swell from the SSW. The energy jumps up to a moderate 340, which is the most we’ll see in the whole forecast. That’s a notable bump, but the period is still only 7 seconds, so it’s a bit weak and won’t have much push. For a beach break like Holden Beach, that short period means it’s going to be a bit fat and dumpy, but if you’re a beginner, the 5ft is actually right in your wheelhouse—not too big, not too small. The water temperature is sitting at 84°, which is about 1° warmer than average for this time of year, so it’s nice and warm, nothing unusual.
The 22nd morning is the only real standout, and it’s not a classic. The rest of the week after that goes back to small, messy, or onshore conditions. Thursday the 30th has a brief moment of glassy conditions in the morning with 3ft swell, but it’s only a 6-second period and the energy is weak (88). It’s surfable, but nothing to get excited about.
This spot is listed as inconsistent, so a blank run like this isn’t a surprise. It tends not to stay poor forever, but right now, the outlook is lean. If you’re desperate, keep an eye on the 22nd morning, but don’t drive too far for it.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Wed afternoon, min 25°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 31°C on Sun afternoon, min 27°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 6 | E 6 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 4 | S 4 | S 6 | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 6 | S 7 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 26 | 18 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 23 | 124 | 203 | 245 | 225 | 143 | 176 | 176 | 154 | 230 | 349 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 8:34AM1.44m | 9:11PM1.79m | 9:30AM1.46m | 10:01PM1.72m | 10:24AM1.47m | 10:50PM1.62m | 11:19AM1.46m | 11:39PM1.50m | 12:14PM1.43m | 00:27AM1.37m | 1:09PM1.40m | 1:16AM1.26m | 2:04PM1.37m | 2:07AM1.17m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:41PM-0.04m | 3:33AM0.10m | 3:35PM0.02m | 4:21AM0.11m | 4:29PM0.11m | 5:08AM0.14m | 5:24PM0.21m | 5:56AM0.19m | 6:22PM0.32m | 6:45AM0.24m | 7:23PM0.41m | 7:36AM0.28m | 8:27PM0.48m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | |  | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — |
 | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 4 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 28 | 30 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 31 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 30 |
Feels °C | 30 | 32 | 29 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | SE 8 | ESE 6 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | — | — | — | SSW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 19 | 11 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 3 | — | — | — | 225 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SW 5 | SE 8 | E 6 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 12 | 1 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 5 | SSW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | E 6 | SW 4 | — | SSW 3 | SW 4 | SSW 3 | SSW 3 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 6 | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | — | S 7 | S 7 | S 6 | S 7 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 |
| kJ | 26 | 18 | 1 | — | 3 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 23 | 124 | 203 | 245 | — | 143 | 176 | 176 | 154 | 230 | 349 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 110 | 827 | 949 | 831 | 1601 | 1601 | 1609 | 794 | 1751 | 561 | 514 | 89 | 377 | 71 | 46 | 1000 | 436 | 332 | 388 | 29 |
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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