Surf Forecasts:
Holden Beach surf forecast from 30 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 3 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 7s period, SSE swell with 163 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Holden Beach this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Holden Beach in the next 16 days are 1.3m 7s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 03) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Holden Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s be real about Holden Beach. I’ve had a look at the next 16 days, and it’s a tough run. There’s a massive gap with no worthwhile surf to kick things off, so if you’re thinking of paddling out, you’ll be waiting a while.
The first sign of anything surfable doesn’t show up until Monday, August 10th in the morning. That’s over a week and a half of flat, poor conditions. For the whole first week, from Thursday, July 30th right through to Sunday, August 9th, the swell is tiny, the wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore, and we’ve got a lot of stormy weather. The wave energy is consistently weak, with values mostly under 60 (weak energy). Even the few days where the swell bumps up a little, like Monday, August 3rd, the wind is howling from the south at 22 mph onshore, making it a messy, blown-out situation. That’s just not for paddling.
The only real stand-out in this whole outlook is Monday, August 10th in the morning. It’s the only time the forecast calls it "surfable waves." The swell is still small, around 3ft from the SSW, but the wind goes glassy, which is a beautiful thing. That’s your best shot for a clean, fun session on a small board. The wave energy is still moderate at 66 (moderate energy). It’s not going to be pumping, but it’ll be clean. The water temperature is about average for the time of year.
After that, it’s back to poor conditions for the rest of the run. The wind picks up again, the swell drops back, and we get more storm risks. The consistency is described as "inconsistent," and this blank run is pretty normal for the area when the summer pattern sets in. It’s a waiting game.
Bottom line: Holden Beach is a no-go for nearly two weeks. If you’re desperate, target the glassy morning of August 10th for a few small, clean ones. Otherwise, keep the board in the car and check back later.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Warm (max 31°C on Thu afternoon, min 26°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 72mm), heaviest during Tue morning. Warm (max 28°C on Sun afternoon, min 24°C on Mon night). Mainly strong winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 6 | S 6 | SSE 7 | S 7 | S 6 | S 5 | SE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 5 | S 7 | S 7 | S 6 | S 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 26 | 19 | 16 | 33 | 47 | 18 | 17 | 21 | 56 | 41 | 148 | 149 | 143 | 60 | 22 | 22 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 13 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 8:54PM1.54m | 9:09AM1.31m | 9:32PM1.52m | 9:52AM1.34m | 10:10PM1.48m | 10:36AM1.37m | 10:50PM1.42m | 11:23AM1.40m | 11:34PM1.36m | 12:14PM1.42m | 00:23AM1.30m | 1:11PM1.45m | 1:18AM1.24m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:32PM0.22m | 3:16AM0.29m | 3:12PM0.24m | 3:50AM0.27m | 3:52PM0.27m | 4:25AM0.25m | 4:36PM0.31m | 5:02AM0.24m | 5:24PM0.35m | 5:43AM0.23m | 6:19PM0.39m | 6:31AM0.23m | 7:22PM0.41m | |||||||
 |  | | |  | | | |  | |  | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — |
 | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:09 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 13 | 14 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 1 | 2 |
Temp °C | 31 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 32 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 29 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 6 | S 6 | SSE 7 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 6 | SSW 5 | SE 8 | — | E 6 | — | — | — | S 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 |
| kJ | 26 | 19 | 16 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 10 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 60 | 22 | 22 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 13 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 10 | SSW 6 | SE 9 | — | SE 9 | SE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 7 | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | S 5 | SSW 5 | — | — |
| kJ | — | 4 | 6 | 3 | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 28 | 10 | 5 | 8 | 4 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SE 10 | SE 7 | — | — | SE 9 | E 7 | E 6 | — | — | — | — | S 6 | — | S 6 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 4 | 2 | — | — | 12 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 20 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | S 7 | S 6 | S 5 | SE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 5 | S 7 | S 7 | S 6 | SW 6 | — | — | — | — | SSW 5 | SSW 4 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 33 | 47 | 18 | 17 | 21 | 56 | 41 | 148 | 149 | 143 | 38 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 13 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 836 | 284 | 159 | 1000 | 552 | 971 | 810 | 549 | 1256 | 549 | 605 | 540 | 501 | 519 | 549 | 501 | 519 | 501 | 2516 | 505 |
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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