Surf Forecasts:
Holden Beach surf forecast from 13 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 11s period, SSE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 12s period, SSE swell with 98 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 11s period with SSE 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 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 4s. 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 0.6m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Holden Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what we’ve got on the table for the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, it’s a pretty flat and quiet stretch ahead. For the most part, we’re looking at tiny, weak swell and tricky winds, so keep expectations low. There are no real standouts in this whole 16-day window—everything is rated poorly for quality.
Holden Beach is the only break on the radar, and it’s an inconsistent spot to begin with. The first sniff of any waves comes on Thursday 14 August but it’s barely enough to get excited about. Swell is only 2 ft from the SSW with a period of 5 seconds—that’s short period, weak windswell with only 33 of combined energy. Winds are cross-onshore all morning and afternoon, making it choppy. Not one for the quiver.
Saturday 16 August morning cleans up a little with a light cross-off breeze from the ENE and some tiny 2 ft S swell at 5 seconds, but the energy is still weak at 19. It’s clean, but barely breaking.
The best chance—and I use that word loosely—pops up on Tuesday 18 August afternoon when the combined energy climbs to 103, which is moderate. Still, the swell is only 1 ft from the SE with a very long period of 12 seconds. That kind of period on a beach break like Holden will be tricky—likely straight and hard to catch on a sandbar. Winds are onshore from the SSW at 9 mph, so it won’t be pretty.
From there on, it’s more of the same: tiny swell, poor surf conditions, and mostly cross-on or onshore winds. A little bump in height appears on Thursday 27 August morning with 4 ft from the S at 6 seconds, but that’s still weak (77 combined energy) and blown out by moderate cross-onshore winds. Not worth paddling out.
Overall, there’s nothing really rideable or good in this outlook. If you’re desperate for a splash, maybe try Saturday 15 or Tuesday 18 August with a foamie, but don’t expect much. The consistency is low, the swell is tiny, and the wind is rarely your friend. It’s just one of those flat spells.
Stay patient—it won’t stay poor forever.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 31°C on Thu afternoon, min 27°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Warm (max 32°C on Mon afternoon, min 27°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 | SSW 4 | SE 8 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | S 5 | S 5 | SE 8 | SE 5 | SE 8 | SSE 5 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSW 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 10 | 10 | 15 | 13 | 18 | 30 | 17 | 19 | 10 | 13 | 17 | 22 | 14 | 15 | 20 | 26 | 98 | 79 | 49 | 47 | 70 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | cross | on | on | glassy | on | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 8:18AM1.50m | 8:48PM1.70m | 9:09AM1.53m | 9:34PM1.62m | 9:59AM1.53m | 10:19PM1.52m | 10:49AM1.51m | 11:04PM1.40m | 11:39AM1.47m | 11:49PM1.29m | 12:30PM1.41m | 00:36AM1.20m | 1:22PM1.36m | 1:26AM1.12m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:27PM0.01m | 3:05AM0.09m | 3:18PM0.07m | 3:49AM0.10m | 4:08PM0.15m | 4:32AM0.14m | 4:59PM0.24m | 5:15AM0.19m | 5:51PM0.34m | 6:00AM0.25m | 6:47PM0.43m | 6:48AM0.31m | 7:48PM0.49m | ||||||||
 | |  |  |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — |
 | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — |
mm | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 15 | — | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 4 | — | — | 4 | 1 | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 30 | 31 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 32 | 30 | 30 | 32 | 30 | 29 | 31 | 30 |
Feels °C | 32 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 30 | 33 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 35 | 33 | 35 | 35 | 33 | 33 | 34 | 34 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 4 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 5 | S 5 | S 5 | SE 8 | E 4 | E 5 | S 5 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 |
| kJ | 3 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 17 | 19 | 8 | 11 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 15 | 20 | 26 | 98 | 79 | 49 | 47 | 29 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | — | — | E 13 | E 12 | E 11 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSW 5 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 5 | SE 15 | SSW 4 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 10 | — | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 6 | 9 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | E 13 | — | — | — | — | E 9 | — | — | — | E 5 | — | SE 15 | SSE 13 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 5 | — | 8 | 17 | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | — | — | E 4 | SE 5 | S 4 | SSE 5 | SW 4 | S 4 | SSW 4 | — | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 |
| kJ | — | 4 | 15 | 13 | 18 | 30 | — | — | 4 | 13 | 9 | 22 | 3 | 10 | 9 | — | 9 | 20 | 32 | 42 | 70 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1775 | 949 | 1747 | 1751 | 2516 | 88 | 159 | 1612 | 810 | 549 | 1900 | 22 | 52 | 733 | 52 | 9 | 293 | 0 | 22 | 274 | 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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