Surf Forecasts:
Holden Beach surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 9 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 8 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period, ESE swell with 66 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 9 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period with ESE 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 (Sep 09) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 6s 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 0.9m 6s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Wed 9th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Wed 9th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Tue 8th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Holden Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Gap at the start: no rideable surf for the full 16-day run.
Alright, I’m not gonna sugarcoat it – this is a total bust. Holden Beach (United States) has got nothing for you across the entire forecast. It’s tiny, weak, and messy from day one to the end. Swell energy is barely a blip, topping out at just 119 (weak) on Tuesday the 8th, and mostly living in the low single digits after that.
The opening days are dead. The 8th through the 11th shows 3ft down to 2ft of short-period 6-second junk, with winds bouncing around. A few little cross-off moments, but the swell has no grunt. Water’s at 84°, which is a touch warmer than average for the time of year, so you won’t need a wetsuit.
The weekend (the 12th and 13th) drops even further – 1ft to 2ft, with period stretching to 8-10 seconds, but there’s no energy behind it. The glassy Saturday morning is pretty, but there’s nothing to push you.
Next week is a write-off. We’re looking at 1ft or less, sometimes down to 0.7ft, with energy values barely ticking over 20-30. There are a few clean and glassy moments on the 14th, 16th, and 18th, but you’d be riding ankle slop on a beach break that needs a real swell to offer anything. The periods stay around 8-9 seconds, so it’s not even a proper long-period swell.
And then the finale gets nasty. From the 21st through the 23rd, a stiff NE cross-off wind kicks up to 20-35 km/h, but the surf stays pathetically small – 1ft to 2ft, with periods dropping to 4-8 seconds. That’s just wind-blown slop. Honestly, with that much wind and those weak waves, this looks way better for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
I know it stinks, but these flat spells happen. Holden’s not a consistent spot anyway, so a blank run like this isn't out of the ordinary. Forecasts can shift, so check back, but for now, I’d leave the board in the car and find something else to do.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 30°C on Fri afternoon, min 25°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 31°C on Mon afternoon, min 25°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 7 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 66 | 66 | 56 | 46 | 54 | 47 | 19 | 27 | 17 | 17 | 24 | 28 | 31 | 33 | 30 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross | on | cross | on | on | cross-off | cross | on | cross | cross | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 6:17AM1.42m | 6:50PM1.63m | 7:10AM1.50m | 7:37PM1.60m | 7:59AM1.55m | 8:22PM1.56m | 8:46AM1.58m | 9:05PM1.49m | 9:31AM1.58m | 9:47PM1.40m | 10:16AM1.54m | 10:29PM1.31m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:25AM0.20m | 12:32PM0.08m | 1:10AM0.15m | 1:24PM0.07m | 1:53AM0.11m | 2:13PM0.09m | 2:34AM0.10m | 3:00PM0.13m | 3:14AM0.11m | 3:46PM0.19m | 3:54AM0.15m | 4:33PM0.26m | 4:34AM0.20m | ||||||
 |  | | |  |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — |
 | 7:29 | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:25 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:23 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:21 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | — | 3 | — | — | 3 | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 31 | 29 |
Feels °C | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 33 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 7 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SSW 4 | SE 9 | SE 9 |
| kJ | — | — | 56 | 46 | 54 | 47 | 19 | 27 | 17 | 17 | 24 | 28 | 31 | 33 | 30 | 28 | 6 | 27 | 28 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | E 9 | E 9 | SE 8 | SSW 4 | — | SSE 9 | SSW 4 | — | — | SSW 4 | — | — | SE 9 | — | SSW 4 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 10 | 6 | — | 9 | 6 | — | — | 6 | — | — | 27 | — | 3 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 9 | — | — | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | — | — | — | — | SSW 4 | SW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | — | S 4 | SSW 4 | — | SSW 4 | SW 4 |
| kJ | 66 | 66 | — | — | — | — | 7 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 9 | — | 10 | 14 | — | 6 | 4 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 110 | 110 | 1791 | 2031 | 110 | 274 | 737 | 514 | 52 | 752 | 949 | 1263 | 1601 | 427 | 30 | 284 | 112 | 82 | 82 |
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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