Surf Forecasts:
Holden Beach surf forecast from 22 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 8s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 29 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period, SSW swell with 146 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 25 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 8s 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 Saturday (Jul 25) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 4s. Another secondary swell of 0.8m and 4s 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 Wednesday (Jul 29) 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 0.6m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 26) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Wed 29th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Holden Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on offer at Holden Beach.
Right now, through this whole 16-day window, we’ve got a real quiet spell. The water’s a touch warmer than normal for this time of year at 85°. The first few days are a write-off – Wednesday the 22nd through to the end of July sees small, weak, short-period windswell with a combined energy that barely tops 178 (moderate) at its best, but even that is ruined by messy onshore and cross-onshore winds. Expect lumpy, choppy conditions and a lot of storm risks. Honestly, it’s more of a kiteboarding setup than a paddle session.
There’s a noticeable gap with no real surf to get excited about until the very end of the run. The only flicker of something better comes on Saturday the 1st of August. The morning brings a clean, cross-off breeze with a 4ft swell from the SSW. Period is still short at 6 seconds, but the combined energy jumps to 155 (moderate) and the wind turns offshore. That’s the standout. It’s still only a 2/5 rated spot, inconsistent, and a beginner-friendly break, so don’t expect perfection – but for this stretch, that’s the cleanest look you’ll get. After that, it fades back to small, weak, and choppy for the rest of the outlook.
So, bottom line: if you’re keen, keep your eyes on Saturday August 1st morning at Holden Beach. The rest of the run is a flat, blown-out bust.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 26mm), heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 30°C on Wed afternoon, min 24°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Wed afternoon, calm by Sat morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 26mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Mon afternoon, min 22°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | ||||||||||||||
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 6 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSW 5 | S 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 114 | 91 | 78 | 69 | 69 | 34 | 40 | 36 | 28 | 28 | 36 | 39 | 31 | 21 | 20 | 17 | 69 | 27 | 25 | 102 |
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-on | on | cross-on | glassy | cross | off | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 2:59PM1.35m | 2:59AM1.11m | 3:52PM1.35m | 3:51AM1.08m | 4:43PM1.37m | 4:43AM1.08m | 5:31PM1.41m | 5:31AM1.11m | 6:16PM1.45m | 6:18AM1.14m | 6:58PM1.49m | 7:02AM1.19m | 7:38PM1.52m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:32PM0.50m | 9:22AM0.34m | 10:31PM0.50m | 10:14AM0.33m | 11:23PM0.48m | 11:03AM0.31m | 00:09AM0.44m | 11:49AM0.28m | 00:50AM0.41m | 12:32PM0.25m | 1:29AM0.37m | 1:13PM0.23m | 2:06AM0.34m | |||||||
 |  | | | | | | |  | | |  |  |  | | |  | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — |
 | 8:20 | — | — | 8:20 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:17 | — | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:15 | — |
mm | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 17 | 4 | — | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | 2 | — | 11 |
Temp °C | 30 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 26 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 32 | 29 |
Feels °C | 31 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 32 | 31 | 32 | 34 | 35 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 4 | SSW 4 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSW 5 | S 5 | SE 9 | SE 8 |
| kJ | 13 | 17 | 16 | 10 | 10 | 33 | 40 | 15 | 12 | 28 | 36 | 39 | 31 | 21 | 20 | 15 | 46 | 27 | 12 | 11 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | ENE 5 | E 5 | E 5 | ENE 5 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 6 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 36 | 28 | 11 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 15 | 11 | 2 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 5 | — | — | — | SSW 5 | SW 5 | SW 5 | E 6 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | — | — | — | 4 | 6 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | — | SSW 5 | SW 3 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | — | SSW 5 | SSW 5 |
| kJ | 114 | 91 | 78 | 69 | 69 | 34 | 22 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 5 | 2 | 17 | 69 | — | 25 | 102 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 348 | 377 | 274 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 82 | 9 | 30 | 9 | 159 | 427 | 325 | 332 | 427 | 642 | 82 | 810 | 45 |
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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