Surf Forecasts:
Holden Beach surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 10s period, SE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 6s period, SSW swell with 109 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 10s period with SE 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 (Aug 19) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 5s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Holden Beach in the next 16 days are 1.3m 6s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) 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+) | 5AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Holden Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty, and I’ve been staring at the charts for Holden Beach, and honestly, it’s a tough stretch. The whole 16-day window is a bit of a write-off. There’s nothing here that’s going to get the heart pumping. The surf is just too small and the wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore, messing up what little bump there is.
We’re looking at a long dry spell right from the start. The first couple of weeks are a total bust. Monday the 17th kicks off with tiny 1 ft swell from the SE, a weak 8-second period, and a SSW wind blowing straight on. The combined energy is a measly 23 – barely a ripple. That pattern just keeps repeating: tiny waves, onshore winds, poor conditions. Every session is rated as poor surf conditions. The water temp is a warm 84°, which is about average for the time of year, but you’d be floating in it more than riding it.
It’s not until the very end of the run, on Friday the 28th of August, that we see a tiny glimmer. The afternoon brings a bit of a change with a clean cross-off wind from the ENE. The swell is still just 2 ft from the SE, with a period of 10 seconds, and the energy is a weak 72. The notes say “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions,” which is being generous. You might get a few knee-high lumps, but you’d have to be desperate.
After that, it’s back to the same old story, with flat spells rolling in by the 31st of August and into September. There’s no standout session here, no break worth highlighting. The only thing that’s consistent is the lack of consistency. For this area, a blank run like this is a bit more normal – it’s a tough spot to get good, clean swell. Keep an eye on the charts, because it tends not to stay this poor for long, but for now, leave the board in the car.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 34°C on Tue afternoon, min 27°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 31°C on Thu afternoon, min 24°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 5 | S 5 | S 5 | S 5 | S 6 | SSW 6 | S 6 | SSW 6 | S 6 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 15 | 24 | 19 | 58 | 48 | 31 | 29 | 20 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 16 | 23 | 32 | 26 | 50 | 109 | 61 | 98 | 50 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-off | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:49PM1.29m | 12:30PM1.41m | 00:36AM1.20m | 1:22PM1.36m | 1:26AM1.12m | 2:17PM1.33m | 2:19AM1.07m | 3:12PM1.32m | 3:15AM1.06m | 4:06PM1.33m | 4:09AM1.07m | 4:57PM1.37m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:51PM0.34m | 6:00AM0.25m | 6:47PM0.43m | 6:48AM0.31m | 7:48PM0.49m | 7:40AM0.35m | 8:52PM0.53m | 8:38AM0.38m | 9:55PM0.53m | 9:37AM0.38m | 10:50PM0.51m | 10:31AM0.36m | 11:37PM0.46m | |||||||
 |  | | |  | | |  | | | |  | |  |  | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — |
 | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:50 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
Temp °C | 33 | 30 | 32 | 34 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 35 | 33 | 35 | 35 | 34 | 35 | 34 | 34 | 33 | 34 | 33 | 30 | 32 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 30 | 28 | 28 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSW 4 | SE 11 | SSW 5 | S 4 | S 5 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 9 | S 5 | SE 9 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 |
| kJ | 15 | 16 | 10 | 58 | 26 | 10 | 7 | 20 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 26 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 15 | 14 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 5 | E 6 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | — | — | S 15 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 9 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 8 | SE 8 |
| kJ | 2 | 1 | 19 | 10 | 48 | 31 | 29 | 5 | 4 | — | — | 4 | 8 | 8 | 13 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 13 | SSE 12 | E 5 | — | — | — | SSE 4 | SSE 4 | — | — | SE 15 | E 6 | — | SE 14 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 3 | 14 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 9 | 1 | — | 7 | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 3 | SSW 4 | SW 4 | SSW 4 | SW 5 | — | — | — | — | S 4 | S 4 | S 5 | S 5 | S 5 | — | S 6 | SSW 6 | S 6 | SSW 6 | S 6 |
| kJ | 6 | 24 | 11 | 10 | 23 | — | — | — | — | 6 | 11 | 16 | 23 | 32 | — | 50 | 109 | 61 | 98 | 50 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 430 | 810 | 22 | 284 | 49 | 112 | 827 | 427 | 960 | 965 | 701 | 766 | 667 | 9 | 9 | 82 | 331 | 112 | 189 | 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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