Holden Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's be real about what's on the table for the next couple of weeks. I'm looking at the entire stretch, and I've got to be straight with you: it's a tough run. The only spot in the mix is Holden Beach, and honestly, it's shaping up to be a real struggle for paddle surfers. The water's sitting at a warm 84°, which is pretty much what you'd expect for this time of year, so at least you won't be cold while you're waiting for a wave.

The first real chance at anything rideable doesn't show up until Sunday, the 23rd of August. Up until then, it's a whole lot of nothing. From now through that Saturday, the 22nd, we're looking at a solid week of tiny, weak, wind-affected surf. The swell energy is barely registering, with values hanging in the low hundreds, and the period is short and weak. The wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore, just chopping everything up. It's a write-off.

Then, on Sunday morning, the 23rd, things get *slightly* interesting. The swell bumps up to 3 ft from the S, with a period of 6 seconds, and the energy climbs to 79. It's still not great, but it's the difference between nothing and something. The wind is light and cross-offshore from the ENE, which will clean it up. The report calls it "surfable waves but very ordinary conditions," and I'd agree. For a beginner looking to get wet, this is your best bet, but don't expect any gems. Crowds are "sometimes" a problem, so you might have some company. After that, it's back to tiny surf and onshore winds through the next week.

Looking further out to Thursday, the 27th of August, we get a morning session with a 2 ft SE swell, but here's the kicker: the period is 10 seconds, and the energy hits 109, which is a moderate bump. The wind is a clean cross-offshore from the ENE as well. This is the only other window that isn't a total zero. It's still small, but the longer period might give a little bit more push. But again, it's a small window.

The bottom line is this: unless you're a beginner who just wants to paddle around in the whitewash, or you're a kitesurfer who can make the most of a clean, light wind window, Holden Beach is a tough sell. The waves are just too small, the winds are too often wrong, and the consistency is non-existent. For the next two weeks, it's a waiting game. Forecasts can change, but right now, it's a scrappy outlook.

Rusty.

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