Surf Forecasts:
Holden Beach surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 5s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period, SSW swell with 137 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 5s period with S 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 Friday (Aug 28) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 11s is also forecast. 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 1.4m 6s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) 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 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 5s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 5s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Holden Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s be straight with you. Right now, and for the next couple of weeks, Holden Beach is in a bit of a flat spell. There’s nothing in the 16-day window that’s worth paddling out for. We’ve got a long gap here with no real surf on offer, just tiny waves and messy conditions. The first record is for Tuesday the 25th of August, and it’s a no-go.
Looking at the guide, Holden Beach is an inconsistent beginner spot that only works with a south swell. The problem is, the little swell that does show up is just too weak or poorly shaped. For the first week, we’re looking at mostly 1ft waves with short, weak periods and onshore or cross-shore wind. The combined energy is weak, often in the teens or twenties, so there’s just no push. Even when we get a small bump to around 4ft on Thursday the 27th, the period is a pathetic 5 seconds, and the wind is onshore at 16 mph, making it choppy and blown out. That setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
The water temperature is sitting at 84°, which is about 1° warmer than usual for this time of year, so that’s about average – not something to get excited about when the waves are this bad.
We do see a few mornings with clean, glassy conditions – like Saturday the 29th and Monday the 31st of August, and again on Tuesday the 8th of September – but with swell heights barely reaching 1ft to 2ft and energy levels still very low, it’s not surfable. There are some longer period swells in the first few days of September, around 15-16 seconds, but the size is only 0.7ft to 1ft – just not enough to break properly.
So, the verdict is clear: Holden Beach has no good surf options in this entire 16-day window. For a break that’s already inconsistent, a run like this isn’t unusual. Put the board away, check back later, and hope the forecasts change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Wed morning, min 23°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Fri morning. Warm (max 29°C on Fri afternoon, min 25°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | |||||||||||||||
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 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 5 | S 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | S 6 | S 5 | S 5 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 18 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 55 | 137 | 95 | 39 | 37 | 25 | 18 | 17 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 19 | 14 | 13 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 6:25PM1.46m | 6:34AM1.24m | 7:05PM1.50m | 7:17AM1.32m | 7:44PM1.52m | 8:00AM1.38m | 8:22PM1.52m | 8:42AM1.44m | 9:01PM1.49m | 9:25AM1.49m | 9:42PM1.45m | 10:11AM1.51m | 10:25PM1.39m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:06PM0.28m | 00:56AM0.36m | 12:48PM0.25m | 1:31AM0.31m | 1:29PM0.22m | 2:05AM0.26m | 2:10PM0.20m | 2:39AM0.22m | 2:52PM0.20m | 3:14AM0.19m | 3:35PM0.22m | 3:51AM0.17m | 4:20PM0.25m | 4:31AM0.16m | |||||||
 | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | |  | |  | |  | |  | |
 | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — |
 | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:39 | — |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 1 | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 26 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 30 | 28 |
Feels °C | 26 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 32 | 30 | 33 | 32 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 33 | 33 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 5 | SE 11 | SE 4 | SE 9 | ESE 4 | SE 8 | ESE 7 | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 6 | SE 8 | S 5 | S 5 | S 5 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 |
| kJ | 5 | 18 | 5 | 14 | 2 | 11 | 5 | 20 | 21 | 39 | 18 | 25 | 16 | 10 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 19 | 14 | 13 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SE 10 | S 4 | SE 9 | E 4 | SE 14 | SE 13 | E 12 | SE 9 | — | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | E 10 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | — | — | — | SE 17 |
| kJ | 4 | 4 | 17 | 2 | 13 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 19 | — | 18 | 18 | 17 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | 12 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 11 | SSE 5 | E 7 | — | S 4 | E 15 | E 14 | — | — | E 12 | — | — | E 10 | E 10 | — | E 10 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 18 | 3 | 1 | — | 2 | 4 | 4 | — | — | 3 | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 3 | ENE 4 | SSE 4 | ESE 3 | — | S 5 | S 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | — | S 5 | — | — | — | SSW 4 | — | — | S 3 | — | S 3 | S 3 |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | — | 16 | 55 | 137 | 95 | — | 37 | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 5 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 159 | 549 | 949 | 549 | 2060 | 427 | 251 | 536 | 427 | 29 | 46 | 22 | 82 | 864 | 793 | 918 | 2060 | 1651 | 312 | 793 | 726 |
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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