Surf Forecasts:
Holden Beach surf forecast from 10 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 12 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 5s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 14 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s period, SW swell with 77 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 5s period with SW 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 12) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 8s 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 1.1m 6s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 14) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 5s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 5s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Fri 14th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Holden Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s coming our way over the next couple of weeks.
To be straight with you, this forecast is a tough one. We’re looking at a long stretch of poor conditions with little to get excited about. The first decent window doesn’t arrive until the morning of Tuesday, August 18th, and even then it’s mediocre. The 10 days prior to that are all "poor surf conditions" with tiny swell and wonky winds.
The best bet on offer is Holden Beach. It’s an inconsistent beginner break, so it doesn’t fire often, but we get a small pulse mid-week. The standout morning will be Wednesday, August 19th. We’ll see a 2ft swell coming from the SE, but the real story is the period – 12 seconds – which brings a bit more shape and energy. The combined wave energy is moderate (144), the wind is light and cross-offshore from the ENE, so it’ll be clean. The water temp is about average for the time of year.
Tuesday morning, August 18th, is also worth a mention. A 2ft SE swell with a 9-second period, light NE cross-offshore wind, and clean conditions. Combined energy is weak (68), but it’s surfable. That morning, Saturday, August 15th also had a clean moment with a cross-offshore breeze, but the swell was tiny at 2ft.
For the rest of the run, it’s mostly small, choppy, or onshore. The long period of 15 seconds showing on the afternoon of August 18th is a tease – the swell is only 1ft, so it won’t amount to much. The final few days of August roll on with ankle-snatchers and glassy mornings on the 21st, but still only 1ft of swell. It’s not going to get your heart racing.
Rusty, out.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Mon night. Warm (max 33°C on Tue afternoon, min 27°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 32°C on Fri afternoon, min 23°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | ||||||||||||||
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 7 | SE 7 | SE 6 | SSW 4 | SW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SW 5 | SSW 5 | S 5 | S 6 | E 5 | ESE 4 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 16 | 15 | 14 | 30 | 39 | 28 | 29 | 31 | 40 | 37 | 36 | 36 | 46 | 42 | 36 | 36 | 23 | 41 | 20 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross | on | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 5:29AM1.30m | 6:16PM1.72m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:51PM0.27m | 11:44AM0.05m | 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 | ||||||
 | |  |  |  | |  | | |  | | | | | | | |  | | |
 | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — |
 | 8:06 | — | 8:05 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — |
mm | 4 | 2 | — | 3 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 13 | 8 | 2 | 2 |
Temp °C | 28 | 30 | 32 | 29 | 30 | 33 | 30 | 30 | 33 | 31 | 29 | 31 | 29 | 30 | 32 | 30 | 26 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 30 | 33 | 34 | 32 | 32 | 34 | 31 | 32 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 34 | 30 | 32 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SSW 5 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SSW 5 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSE 8 | S 5 | S 6 | S 5 | S 5 |
| kJ | 16 | 15 | 10 | 6 | 31 | 2 | 1 | 23 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 29 | 23 | 6 | 36 | 23 | 15 | 14 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | S 5 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 6 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | E 11 | SE 11 | — | — | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 6 | — | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 |
| kJ | 2 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 2 | 5 | — | — | 9 | 9 | 1 | — | 3 | 3 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 10 | E 8 | E 8 | SE 9 | — | — | E 11 | — | — | — | — | — | E 13 | — | SE 8 | — | SE 6 | SE 6 |
| kJ | — | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 3 | — | 1 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 4 | SW 4 | S 4 | SSW 4 | SW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SW 5 | SSW 5 | — | E 4 | E 5 | ESE 4 |
| kJ | 8 | 4 | 14 | 30 | 39 | 28 | 29 | 31 | 40 | 37 | 36 | 36 | 46 | 42 | 36 | — | 30 | 41 | 20 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 503 | 501 | 1609 | 949 | 49 | 733 | 52 | 52 | 827 | 9 | 43 | 273 | 0 | 918 | 312 | 43 | 1601 | 1612 | 112 |
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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