Surf Forecasts:
Holden Beach surf forecast from 3 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 5 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 5s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period, E swell with 141 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 5s 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 Saturday (Sep 05) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 9s 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 1.4m 6s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 06) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sat 5th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 5s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Sat 5th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 5s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Holden Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s be real – this is a pretty grim stretch for Holden Beach. The whole 16-day window is a flat, disappointing run with no real surf to speak of. We’re looking at a long gap of nothing worth paddling out for.
Starting off Thursday September 3rd, it’s a total washout. That tiny 2ft swell from the SE with a 9-second period barely whispers, and the cross-on wind from the SSE at 3 mph just messes up what little is there. The water’s warm at 83°, a bit above normal for this time of year, so it’s comfortable for a swim, but not for surfing. The energy is weak.
Friday the 4th through Sunday the 6th is more of the same – tiny, choppy, and messy. Swells barely reach 2ft, periods are short, and the wind is onshore or cross-onshore, making it bumpy. By Sunday the 6th, the wind swings offshore, but the swell is basically gone, down to 1ft. You can’t surf that.
The middle of the week, Monday the 7th and Tuesday the 8th, sees a slight uptick. Monday morning has a 4ft swell from the east, with a 6-second period, and the wind is cross-off from the NE at 16 mph, keeping it clean. The energy is just barely moderate. It’s still considered poor surf, though. Tuesday brings rain showers and a 3ft swell from the ESE, but the wind is pure cross-shore, creating a cross-chop.
After that, from Wednesday the 9th right through to Friday the 18th, it’s a flat, hopeless pattern. Swells drop back to 1ft to 2ft, the energy is low, and the wind is all over the place. Even when we get a clean offshore wind late on Thursday the 17th (NNE at 12 mph), the swell is only 1ft. You can’t do anything with that.
Honestly, there’s no standout. Not one day. This is a total blank run for Holden Beach. It’s an exposed beach break, but with no swell and poor conditions, it’s not even worth checking. For this stretch, the water is warm, but the surf is dead. If you’re desperate for a paddle, maybe the cleanest windows are Monday the 7th morning or Thursday the 17th morning, but don’t expect a wave. The setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing, if the wind picks up.
Keep your board in the car, and check back in a week or two. Forecasts can change, but this one’s looking cooked. Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 29mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 32°C on Sat afternoon, min 22°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sun afternoon, min 23°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 6 | SSW 4 | SE 8 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | S 5 | SE 9 | E 5 | E 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | E 5 | E 5 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | SE 9 | SE 9 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 50 | 35 | 17 | 23 | 17 | 12 | 26 | 27 | 11 | 13 | 57 | 121 | 121 | 65 | 25 | 20 | 20 | 12 | 13 | 13 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 1:03AM1.22m | 1:54PM1.52m | 2:07AM1.19m | 3:00PM1.53m | 3:14AM1.21m | 4:04PM1.56m | 4:19AM1.26m | 5:04PM1.60m | 5:20AM1.34m | 5:59PM1.62m | 6:17AM1.42m | 6:50PM1.63m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:11PM0.38m | 7:08AM0.21m | 8:22PM0.40m | 8:16AM0.22m | 9:34PM0.38m | 9:28AM0.20m | 10:39PM0.33m | 10:36AM0.16m | 11:35PM0.27m | 11:37AM0.12m | 00:25AM0.20m | 12:32PM0.08m | 1:10AM0.15m | |||||||
 |  | | | | | |  |  | | | | |  | |  | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — |
 | 7:36 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:32 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:29 | — | — | 7:28 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 29 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 30 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 32 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 32 | 30 | 32 | 33 | 31 | 30 | 34 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SE 8 | SSE 6 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 6 | SE 8 | SSW 5 | S 5 | SSW 5 | S 5 | SSE 9 | — | — | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 5 |
| kJ | 50 | 35 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 3 | 9 | 27 | 11 | 7 | 2 | 8 | — | — | 11 | 11 | 20 | 12 | 11 | 6 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 6 | SE 8 | — | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 9 | — | — | E 9 | ESE 10 | — | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 9 |
| kJ | — | — | 17 | 17 | 3 | 10 | — | 6 | 10 | 13 | 3 | — | — | 7 | 10 | — | 11 | 11 | 13 | 13 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 7 | — | E 6 | SSW 5 | — | SE 10 | SE 9 | — | — | — | — | SW 4 | — | E 11 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 |
| kJ | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 5 | — | 4 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 3 | — | S 6 | SSW 4 | SW 4 | SSW 4 | — | — | E 3 | E 5 | E 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | E 5 | E 5 | — | — | S 4 | SSW 3 |
| kJ | — | 2 | — | 23 | 17 | 12 | 26 | — | — | 5 | 57 | 121 | 121 | 65 | 25 | 20 | — | — | 1 | 4 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 110 | 388 | 501 | 1181 | 503 | 312 | 2170 | 159 | 827 | 827 | 585 | 573 | 110 | 0 | 159 | 514 | 310 | 284 | 602 | 505 |
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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