Holden Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let me tell you how things are shaping up for Holden Beach over the coming weeks. Honestly, it’s a bit of a rough stretch for paddling, with only a handful of moments that might get a surfable wave.

For the first week or so, the pattern is pretty grim. We’ve got a strong south to southwest wind blowing most days, gusting up to 18 or 22 mph, which is just ruining any chance of decent waves. The swell is coming from the south, but the period is short—around 5 or 6 seconds—so it’s weak, choppy junk. The wave energy is really low, mostly in the double digits (89) through much of this period, which tells you there’s just no power behind it.

The first real window of opportunity comes on Thursday, July 23rd in the afternoon. The wind goes completely glassy, and we get a small 4ft swell from the south-southwest. It is surfable, but it’s very ordinary. Still, if you are desperate, you can get out there for a few. The combined energy is still weak (98). This spot is exposed to the south, which is a help, but it’s an inconsistent beach break for beginners, so don’t expect much. Water temperature is a warm 85°, which is about average for this time of year.

Friday, July 24th afternoon also sees a brief glass-off, with a tiny knee-high 2ft swell from the southeast, but it has a slightly longer period of 8 seconds. The wave energy is still very low (69). Honestly, it’s not worth getting excited about.

From Saturday, July 25th onward, we hit a real dry patch. For about four or five days, the swell drops right off to barely ankle-high, with most readings at 1ft to 2ft. The wind is light and clean at times, but there is simply no wave energy to work with—numbers like 30 or 44. It’s a flat spell.

The next slight pulse appears on Monday morning, August 4th. We get a 4ft swell from the south, with clean, cross-off wind from the east-northeast. The period is still short at 6 seconds, and the combined energy is moderate (111). It’s surfable but very ordinary again. The wind is gentle and clean, so it won’t be a complete mess, but it’s not a standout.

Through the second week, the pattern remains poor. There’s a very small window on Monday, August 3rd morning with a 3ft southeast swell and glassy conditions, but the energy is low (83). The rest of the days are dominated by strong onshore winds or tiny, weak swells.

Look, if you are a kiter, the strong southwesterly winds on those days with the 5ft swell might be more interesting. For a surfer, this is a tough 16-day forecast. The best you’ll get is a couple of glassy afternoons with small, weak waves. It’s not going to be good, but at least the water is warm.

Rusty.

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