Surf Forecasts:
Holden Beach surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 12s period, SSE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 12s period, SSE swell with 96 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 12s 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 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 5s. 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 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Holden Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, it's Rusty here. Let's see what's cooking for the next 16 days.
Right off the bat, I'll be straight with you – this is a tough stretch. There's a big gap from now until Wednesday the 19th of August with no real surf to speak of. The water's sitting at a warm 84°F, with a normal temperature anomaly of 1°F, so it's about average for this time of year.
The only spot we've got to work with is Holden Beach. It's an exposed beach break, best with a south swell, but it's inconsistent and only really good for beginners. The swell energy is weak throughout – we're looking at combined energy values of just 17 to 87, so don't expect any punch.
The first real glimmer comes on Wednesday the 19th of August morning. We've got a tiny 2ft swell from the SE with a period of 11 seconds, and the wind is a light cross-off from the ENE at 6 mph. This will be clean, but the waves are surfable at best – very ordinary. The combined energy is a weak 77, so it's not going to set the world on fire.
After that, it's back to the same story. The rest of the period is filled with poor conditions, onshore winds, and tiny swell. The morning of Thursday the 27th of August offers a glimmer with a 3ft swell from the SSW and a clean cross-off wind from the NNE at 6 mph, but the period is short at 5 seconds and the energy is still weak at 56. It's a beach break, so with that short period, it's going to be a bit of a mess.
Honestly, this is a barren run. If you're desperate for a paddle, Wednesday the 19th of August morning is your best bet for clean, tiny waves, but don't expect much. The rest of the time, it's pretty quiet. Forecasts can change, so keep an eye out, but for now, it's a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 32°C on Wed afternoon, min 25°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 42mm), heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 33°C on Mon afternoon, min 24°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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 | SW 4 | SE 8 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | S 5 | SSE 6 | S 5 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSW 5 | SE 8 | SE 13 | SSE 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 10 | 10 | 17 | 10 | 13 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 18 | 29 | 20 | 10 | 16 | 16 | 24 | 29 | 21 | 21 | 25 | 44 | 94 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | on | on | cross-off | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 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 | 11:39AM1.47m | 11:49PM1.29m | 12:30PM1.41m | 00:36AM1.20m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 5:15AM0.19m | 5:51PM0.34m | 6:00AM0.25m | 6:47PM0.43m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | | | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — |
 | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 6 | — | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 37 | — | 1 | 3 |
Temp °C | 27 | 32 | 29 | 31 | 32 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 31 | 33 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 29 | 33 | 31 | 34 | 33 | 35 | 36 | 34 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 31 | 35 | 35 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 4 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 5 | S 5 | S 5 | S 5 | S 4 | SE 8 | SSE 8 | SW 4 | SE 8 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSE 12 |
| kJ | 5 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 18 | 27 | 20 | 8 | 6 | 16 | 24 | 9 | 21 | 19 | 13 | 10 | 94 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | E 11 | — | — | — | — | E 13 | — | SE 8 | SSE 6 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | E 4 | E 4 | SE 8 | — | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 10 | SSW 5 |
| kJ | 10 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 3 | 29 | 3 | 10 | 16 | 1 | 1 | 29 | — | 21 | 25 | 33 | 7 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 11 | SE 7 | — | E 9 | E 4 | E 5 | — | — | — | — | SSE 14 | SE 13 | SW 3 |
| kJ | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 8 | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 21 | 44 | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 4 | SW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | — | — | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | — | SSW 4 | SW 4 | — | SSW 4 | — | — | — | NW 3 |
| kJ | — | 7 | 17 | 7 | 13 | 22 | 23 | 22 | — | — | 4 | 5 | — | 4 | 7 | — | 15 | — | — | — | 6 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1782 | 2150 | 1609 | 690 | 918 | 1735 | 1744 | 2563 | 159 | 12 | 946 | 597 | 505 | 831 | 505 | 82 | 552 | 112 | 9 | 273 | 0 |
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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