Surf Forecasts:
Holden Beach surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 15 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 5s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 14 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 5s period, SSW swell with 62 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 15 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 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 (Aug 15) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Holden Beach in the next 16 days are 1.1m 5s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 14) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 5s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 5s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Fri 14th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Holden Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, grab a coffee and listen up. It’s Rusty here, and I’ve got the lowdown on Holden Beach (United States) for the next couple of weeks. I’m not gonna lie, it’s been a rough start. We’re looking at a solid dry spell right from the get-go. From Tuesday the 11th all the way through to Monday the 18th, we’ve got just about zero on offer. Small, weak, and mostly messy with poor surf conditions. That south-southwest wind is just spoiling things, and the swell is tiny—nothing doing.
Finally, a flicker of life pops up on Wednesday the 19th. That morning, we see a little pulse of energy from the southeast, about 2ft at a period of 12 seconds. Now, that period is nice and long, a proper groundswell, and the wind is a clean, light northeasterly cross-offshore. The water’s sitting pretty average for this time of year. The total wave energy is moderate, around 114 units. It’s not pumping, but after a week of nothing, it's surfable. Just be ready for it to be pretty ordinary—don’t expect perfection.
Thursday the 20th keeps that little window open in the morning. Same southeast groundswell hanging around, 2ft at 10 seconds, with that light northeasterly cross-offshore wind keeping things tidy. The energy drops off a bit (76 units), but it’s still your best shot for a clean, grovelly session on a longboard.
After that, the swell fades right back out. Friday the 21st morning goes totally glassy, which is pretty, but there’s no push in the water. From there it’s another long stretch of tiny, wind-affected junk right through to the end of the period on Wednesday the 26th. Some mornings are clean, but the swell’s just too small to bother with.
Overall, if you’re desperate, make a move for Wednesday the 19th or Thursday the 20th mornings. The rest? Honestly, it’s flat as a tack for the most part. Keep an eye on the sky, because it can’t stay this quiet forever.
– Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 33°C on Wed afternoon, min 25°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 33°C on Fri afternoon, min 23°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 4 | SW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | S 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | S 6 | S 6 | E 5 | ESE 6 | SE 8 | SSE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 45 | 15 | 20 | 31 | 13 | 19 | 27 | 14 | 27 | 36 | 19 | 35 | 49 | 30 | 21 | 43 | 36 | 23 | 22 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | on | off | off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 6:28AM1.37m | 7:09PM1.74m | 7:24AM1.44m | 8:00PM1.74m | 8:18AM1.50m | 8:48PM1.70m | 9:09AM1.53m | 9:34PM1.62m | 9:59AM1.53m | 10:19PM1.52m | 10:49AM1.51m | 11:04PM1.40m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:45AM0.20m | 12:41PM0.01m | 1:34AM0.15m | 1:35PM-0.01m | 2:20AM0.11m | 2:27PM0.01m | 3:05AM0.09m | 3:18PM0.07m | 3:49AM0.10m | 4:08PM0.15m | 4:32AM0.14m | 4:59PM0.24m | |||||||
 | |  |  | | |  | | | |  | |  | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — |
 | 8:05 | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:58 | — |
mm | 3 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 18 | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 30 | 32 | 29 | 29 | 33 | 30 | 30 | 32 | 30 | 31 | 33 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 27 |
Feels °C | 29 | 32 | 33 | 30 | 33 | 36 | 33 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 34 | 34 | 33 | 31 | 32 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 6 | SE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SSW 5 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 5 | SE 8 | SSW 5 | S 6 | S 6 | SSW 5 | ESE 6 | SE 8 | ESE 5 |
| kJ | 7 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 19 | 2 | 49 | 30 | 21 | 9 | 36 | 16 | 7 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | E 11 | — | — | — | — | SE 8 | — | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSE 8 |
| kJ | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 11 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 10 | — | 9 | 9 | 2 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 22 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 8 | — | — | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | E 13 | — | E 11 | — | — | — | S 8 | SE 8 | — |
| kJ | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 3 | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 4 | SW 5 | — | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | — | SSW 5 | — | ENE 3 | ENE 5 | E 5 | — | ESE 5 | S 4 |
| kJ | 45 | 15 | 20 | 31 | — | 19 | 27 | 14 | 27 | 36 | — | 35 | — | 4 | 42 | 43 | — | 23 | 17 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 88 | 82 | 2516 | 140 | 159 | 2031 | 1659 | 1751 | 831 | 129 | 159 | 82 | 0 | 45 | 904 | 112 | 549 | 1257 | 328 |
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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