Surf Forecasts:
Holden Beach surf forecast from 9 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 9 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 7s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 14 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 6s period, SSW swell with 246 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 9 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 7s 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 Sunday (Aug 09) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 7s period. 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 1.8m 6s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 14) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Fri 14th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Holden Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer for Holden Beach over the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, I’ll be straight with you – this is a grim stretch. The first week and a half barely has a ripple worth paddling for. We’re looking at a long gap of poor surf from now until around the 20th of August. The wind is constantly onshore or cross-shore, the swell is weak and short-period, and the wave comment is repeatedly "poor surf conditions". The combined energy barely cracks double digits most days, hanging around 26 to 135 (weak to moderate at best), but it’s all messy.
The only light at the end of the tunnel comes on Thursday morning, the 20th of August. That’s the one true standout. We see a clean window with a light easterly cross-offshore breeze at 3 mph, and a solid SSE groundswell pushing in at 3 ft with a long period of 11 seconds. The combined energy jumps to 341 (strong wave energy). That’s a proper injection of power. The water temperature is about average for the time of year at 83°F, so no surprises there. The wave comment finally says "expect good surf conditions". This is your best bet – a real promising window, but it’s over a week away, so keep an eye on the forecast.
Beyond that, the 21st and 22nd drop back into choppy, wind-affected mess. The 23rd of August shows a little offshore wind (N at 9 mph) but the swell is tiny at 1.0 ft. Not worth a session.
For a beginner, the swell on the 20th is under 5 ft, so it’s manageable. The break is inconsistent, so don’t expect non-stop action. And crowds are possible here – it’s a typical exposed beach break, so it can get busy when it’s good.
This is a classic case of waiting for the magic day. The forecasts can change, but right now, the 20th is the only one on the calendar that gets my heart rate up.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Warm (max 32°C on Mon afternoon, min 24°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 34°C on Wed afternoon, min 26°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 6 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 67 | 86 | 47 | 35 | 16 | 15 | 11 | 42 | 23 | 30 | 38 | 28 | 41 | 77 | 43 | 77 | 141 | 85 | 119 | 164 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 4:17PM1.60m | 4:27AM1.24m | 5:18PM1.66m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:52PM0.34m | 10:43AM0.11m | 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 | |||||||
 |  |  | |  |  | |  | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — |
 | 8:07 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:05 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 4 | — | — | 4 |
Temp °C | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 30 | 30 | 34 | 31 | 30 | 33 | 30 | 30 | 33 | 26 |
Feels °C | 31 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 32 | 33 | 30 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 34 | 33 | 31 | 33 | 31 | 30 | 32 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SSW 4 | SE 6 | SE 9 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSW 6 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 8 | — | SE 7 |
| kJ | 67 | 86 | 47 | 35 | 16 | 11 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 43 | 10 | 10 | 6 | — | 9 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | E 9 | SE 7 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 6 | — | — | — | SE 8 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 2 | 15 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | 10 | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | SE 10 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SSW 3 | SSW 4 | SW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | — | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 1 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 42 | 23 | 30 | 38 | 28 | 41 | 77 | — | 77 | 141 | 85 | 119 | 164 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 786 | 29 | 30 | 593 | 49 | 501 | 573 | 88 | 52 | 2516 | 88 | 88 | 49 | 49 | 30 | 58 | 30 | 30 | 82 | 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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