Surf Forecasts:
Holden Beach surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 7s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 7s period, SSW swell with 404 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 7s period with SSW 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m 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 2.0m 7s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) 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 0.2m 4s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Holden Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, it’s Rusty here, and I’ve gotta be straight with you—this 16-day stretch for Holden Beach is pretty grim. We’re looking at a long, quiet run with barely a glimmer of decent surf. The first week is almost a total write-off, and even when things tick up a notch, the conditions just won’t play ball.
Through Thursday the 16th and into the weekend, we’ve got tiny, weak swell—1 foot to 2 feet from the SE and S with short periods of just 4 to 8 seconds. That’s not worth paddling out for. The wind’s mostly onshore or cross-on, blowing 6 to 18 mph, so it’s bumpy and messy. Combined energy is weak, bouncing between 13 and 25, so don’t even think about it.
Sunday the 19th sees a jump in size—5 feet to 7 feet from the SSW with a period of 7 seconds. That’s a bit of push, and the combined energy hits 292 then 404 (moderate to strong), but the wind is onshore at 15 to 18 mph, so it’s going to be a choppy, lined-up mess. Not the kind of day you’d tell your mates about.
The only real standout, if you can call it that, is Monday morning the 20th. The wind drops to glassy—dead calm, 0 mph from the SW. The swell is 4 feet from the S at 7 seconds, with a combined energy of 111. It’s surfable, but very ordinary. The water’s sitting at 84°F, which is about normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.
From later on the 20th through the rest of the month, it’s rinse and repeat: small to moderate swell (2 feet to 5 feet) but nearly always with onshore or cross-onshore wind. A few sessions on the 22nd and 24th have clean conditions with cross-off winds from the NE, but the swell is tiny (2 feet to 3 feet) and weak. It’s not going to get your heart pumping.
Holden Beach is an inconsistent spot as it is, and this run is a tough one. For any real waves, you’d be looking at the end of the month—Thursday the 31st shows 4 feet from the SW, but again, cross-on wind and moderate energy (140). Nothing to write home about.
Bottom line: if you’re desperate, maybe paddle out Monday morning the 20th for a glassy, lukewarm session. Otherwise, keep the board in the car. Forecasts can change, but right now, this is a long dry spell.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Thu afternoon, min 26°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 30°C on Mon afternoon, min 25°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, fresh winds from the SSW by Tue afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 4 | S 4 | S 6 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | S 7 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | SSW 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | SE 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 22 | 167 | 292 | 404 | 232 | 111 | 84 | 112 | 109 | 374 | 206 | 89 | 85 | 42 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 9:30AM1.46m | 10:01PM1.72m | 10:24AM1.47m | 10:50PM1.62m | 11:19AM1.46m | 11:39PM1.50m | 12:14PM1.43m | 00:27AM1.37m | 1:09PM1.40m | 1:16AM1.26m | 2:04PM1.37m | 2:07AM1.17m | 2:59PM1.35m | 2:59AM1.11m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:35PM0.02m | 4:21AM0.11m | 4:29PM0.11m | 5:08AM0.14m | 5:24PM0.21m | 5:56AM0.19m | 6:22PM0.32m | 6:45AM0.24m | 7:23PM0.41m | 7:36AM0.28m | 8:27PM0.48m | 8:28AM0.32m | 9:32PM0.50m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | |  | |  | |  | | | | | |  |  | |
 | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — |
 | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:20 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 7 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 32 | 31 | 30 | 33 | 32 | 30 | 32 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 34 | 32 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | — | — | — | — | S 7 | — | — | — | — | — | S 7 | S 7 | SSW 6 |
| kJ | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 111 | — | — | — | — | — | 89 | 85 | 39 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | E 5 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 7 | SSE 9 | SE 7 |
| kJ | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 30 | 8 | 42 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 4 | S 3 | SW 4 | SW 3 | S 3 | SSW 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 6 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | — | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | SSW 7 | S 7 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 22 | 167 | 292 | 404 | 232 | — | 84 | 112 | 109 | 374 | 206 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 965 | 831 | 1601 | 1601 | 1601 | 780 | 1609 | 602 | 1651 | 378 | 332 | 0 | 0 | 549 | 332 | 504 | 536 | 82 | 12 | 0 | 140 |
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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