Surf Forecasts:
Holden Beach surf forecast from 7 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 12 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 5s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 14 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 6s period, SSW swell with 138 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 5s 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 Wednesday (Aug 12) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 11s is also forecast. 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 1.5m 6s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 14) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Wed 12th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 5s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Wed 12th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 5s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Fri 14th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Holden Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – the outlook for Holden Beach over the next sixteen days is a tough one. We’ve got a long stretch of poor surf conditions, and honestly, the first recommendation that’s worth paddling out for doesn’t show up for a while. There’s a big gap of nothing special from now until mid-month.
The pattern starts with small, weak swell and onshore winds. For Friday the 7th and Saturday the 8th, you’re looking at tiny 2ft to 3ft swell from the SE and SSE, with a short period of 8 seconds, and the wind is blowing straight onshore. The combined energy is weak, only in the 60s to 80s. It’s just not worth getting wet.
That grim run of poor surf continues right through the next week. Swell stays small, usually under 3ft, and the wind is either onshore or cross-onshore, messing up any chance of clean lines. The water temperature is a warm 83°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so at least you won’t be cold while you’re getting frustrated.
Now, the only real glimmer of hope comes on Sunday the 16th. Holden Beach (Holden Beach) finally sees a bit of a clean-up. The morning shows a light northwesterly breeze, 6 mph, which is cross-offshore, and the description says “clean.” The swell is a modest 3ft from the SSW, with a short period of 6 seconds. The combined energy is weak at 54, but the clean conditions make it the standout window in this whole forecast. The waves won’t be big, but they’ll be the most surfable we’ll see. After that, it’s back to small, messy, onshore junk for the rest of the period.
So, if you’re desperate, pencil in Sunday the 16th for a dawn session. Otherwise, it’s a long stretch of flat, choppy water. For a spot that’s already inconsistent, this blank run is a bit of a bummer, but it happens. Stick with it, the forecasts change.
Stay salty,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 30°C on Mon morning, min 25°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Mon night. Warm (max 35°C on Wed afternoon, min 26°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 6 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | SW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 67 | 94 | 86 | 84 | 36 | 37 | 25 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 39 | 34 | 32 | 41 | 39 | 46 | 92 | 39 | 48 | 100 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 3:14PM1.54m | 3:23AM1.21m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:46PM0.39m | 9:37AM0.16m | 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 | |||||||
 |  | |  |  | | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — |
 | 8:07 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:05 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:01 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | 4 | 8 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 29 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 31 | 28 | 29 | 33 | 30 | 30 | 35 | 30 | 29 | 34 | 30 |
Feels °C | 31 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 32 | 35 | 33 | 30 | 36 | 32 | 30 | 35 | 33 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSW 4 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 8 | SSW 6 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 |
| kJ | 67 | 94 | 86 | 84 | 36 | 37 | 25 | 16 | 7 | 14 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 39 | 3 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | — | — | — | — | — | E 9 | SE 7 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | — | SSE 8 | SE 6 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 15 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | 6 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 10 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | S 5 | — | SSW 3 | SSW 4 | — | S 4 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | — | SSW 5 | SW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 25 | — | 3 | 13 | — | 13 | 39 | 34 | 32 | 41 | — | 46 | 92 | 39 | 48 | 100 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 946 | 30 | 110 | 332 | 112 | 22 | 752 | 82 | 82 | 2035 | 112 | 52 | 766 | 52 | 957 | 82 | 52 | 82 | 112 | 45 |
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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