Holden Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a honest look at what’s coming up for Holden Beach. I’ve got to be straight with you – this 16-day stretch is looking pretty grim. There’s a big gap at the start with no real surf to speak of, and the first proper chance doesn’t show up until the morning of Thursday, July 23rd.

For the first several days, from Sunday the 19th right through Wednesday the 22nd, it’s a write-off. We’ve got onshore and cross-onshore winds blowing at 12 to 22 mph, making a mess of everything. The swell is short-period, wind-driven junk – mostly around 4 ft to 5 ft from the SSW with a period of just 6 seconds. The combined energy is weak, varying between 103 and 290 (moderate energy at best), and the conditions are consistently described as "poor surf." Don’t bother paddling out.

The first glimmer of light comes on Thursday morning, July 23rd. The wind swings around to the NW at a light 6 mph, going cross-offshore. The swell drops to 4 ft from the SSW, still short-period at 6 seconds, but the clean conditions mean it’s at least surfable. The combined energy is weak (112). The score is a 1 out of 10, so it’s not good, but it’s the best we’ll see for a while. The water temperature is a warm 84°, which is about right for the time of year – just a touch above average.

After that, we sink back into a long stretch of tiny, weak surf. From Thursday afternoon all the way through to Wednesday, July 30th, the swell drops below 3 ft, with periods of 6 to 8 seconds and combined energy values mostly under 100. Winds are variable but often light or cross-off, keeping the surface clean, but there’s simply no power. The waves are just too small and weak to be any fun.

Another slight uptick shows up on Friday morning, July 31st. The swell is back to 3 ft from the SSW, period 6 seconds, with a NNW wind at 6 mph giving us clean, cross-offshore conditions. The combined energy climbs to 137 (weak to moderate), and it’s another "surfable but very ordinary" call. It’s still a 1 out of 10 day.

The rest of the forecast into August is more of the same – tiny, inconsistent swells, mostly under 2 ft, with clean conditions but no real wave energy. The winds are light or glassy at times, but the ocean is just flat. The combined energy drops to as low as 26 on the 2nd of August.

For the first week, there’s no standout. If you’re desperate, the Thursday morning of July 23rd is your best bet, and even that is a stretch. The second week is flat and quiet. Given the lack of consistent swell, a blank run like this is more normal for the area, so don’t get your hopes up. Forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a waiting game.

Rusty.

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