Surf Forecasts:
Holden Beach surf forecast from 9 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 12 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 6s period, SSW swell with 233 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s 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 Sunday (Jul 12) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s is also forecast. 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 1.8m 6s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 10) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Monday (Jul 13) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sun 12th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sun 12th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Fri 10th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Holden Beach over the next 16 days.
Alright folks, Rusty here. Gotta be straight with you – this 16-day window is a tough one for Holden Beach. We're looking at a long, dry spell with barely a ripple to get excited about for the first week and a half. The first ten days are basically a write-off, with only a brief, meagre window of something rideable, and even that's nothing to write home about. The real story here is the lack of any decent swell.
The first real chance of getting wet, and I'm using that term loosely, comes around on Monday the 13th. Early morning we might see a tiny 4ft easterly swell, period a short 6 seconds, with a combined energy of 139 (moderate). The wind finally plays ball with a light cross-offshore breeze, keeping things clean. It's the same story through Monday afternoon: 4ft, clean, but the wave energy is weak. Tuesday the 14th still has that clean cross-offshore wind, but the swell drops right off to a pathetic 2ft and the energy falls to 61. This is about as ordinary as it gets. By Wednesday the 15th, it's all gone again.
The water temperature is sitting at a warm 84°F, which is about average for the time of year, so at least you won't be cold while you're sitting there waiting for a wave that isn't coming.
Honestly, there's nothing here that qualifies as a standout. The whole period is a bust. For a spot that's already inconsistent and exposed to a south swell, this is a pretty normal run of nothing. The setup is so poor that with the strong winds and weak surf, Holden Beach looks more interesting for a kite session than a paddle session during the second week when the wind picks up again. Keep your board in the car and wait for the next system.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 34°C on Fri afternoon, min 27°C on Sat morning). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 45mm), heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 32°C on Sun afternoon, min 22°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | |||||||||||||||
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 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SE 9 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | E 8 | SE 9 | ESE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 45 | 82 | 154 | 73 | 160 | 119 | 87 | 95 | 57 | 41 | 28 | 22 | 124 | 100 | 61 | 40 | 57 | 44 | 29 | 20 | 19 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 3:33PM1.52m | 3:41AM1.24m | 4:33PM1.61m | 4:42AM1.26m | 5:32PM1.70m | 5:42AM1.30m | 6:30PM1.77m | 6:41AM1.35m | 7:26PM1.82m | 7:38AM1.40m | 8:19PM1.83m | 8:34AM1.44m | 9:11PM1.79m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:54AM0.21m | 10:00PM0.38m | 9:55AM0.15m | 11:06PM0.32m | 10:56AM0.08m | 00:06AM0.25m | 11:55AM0.01m | 1:01AM0.18m | 12:52PM-0.04m | 1:53AM0.13m | 1:47PM-0.06m | 2:44AM0.11m | 2:41PM-0.04m | 3:33AM0.10m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | | | |  | |  |  | |  | | | | | | |  | |
 | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — |
 | — | 8:25 | — | — | 8:25 | — | — | 8:25 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:23 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | 12 | — | 4 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 12 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 31 | 33 | 30 | 32 | 34 | 30 | 31 | 34 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 23 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 31 | 32 | 30 | 33 | 33 | 31 | 31 | 33 | 30 | 32 | 33 | 24 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SSE 9 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 8 | E 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 |
| kJ | 21 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 8 | 57 | 41 | 28 | 22 | 12 | 20 | 13 | 21 | 21 | 44 | 29 | 19 | 19 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | NE 6 | — | — | — | E 9 | E 10 | SE 8 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | — | — | — | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 13 | 23 | 6 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | 21 | 20 | 20 | 11 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 9 | SE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | — | — | — | ENE 5 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | ESE 7 | — | — | S 3 | SSW 4 |
| kJ | 45 | 82 | 154 | 73 | 160 | 119 | 87 | 95 | — | — | — | 40 | 124 | 100 | 61 | 40 | 57 | — | — | 2 | 16 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 82 | 378 | 332 | 52 | 514 | 312 | 30 | 1735 | 82 | 9 | 159 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 274 | 82 |
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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