Surf Forecasts:
Holden Beach surf forecast from 31 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 11s period, SE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 11s period, SE swell with 121 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 2 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 11s period with SE 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 02) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 11s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Holden Beach in the next 16 days are 0.7m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 06) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Holden Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let's talk surf. Flat. That's the word. The next two weeks are a bust for the most part. There's a gap at the start with zero decent swell, and it stays that way for a long time.
The first real blip on the radar comes mid-September down at Holden Beach. Water temp is about 83°, which is what you'd expect for this time of year.
Holden Beach is an exposed beach break, and it's inconsistent, which is just the nature of the place. The whole run is a wash until the afternoon of Friday, September 11th. That's the only time we see anything. You'll get a 3 ft swell from the East, but it's a short-period 5 seconds, and the overall energy is a weak 60. The good news is a moderate offshore wind from the North, which will clean it up a bit. It's surfable, but only just. The rest of the time it's either tiny, onshore, or both. After the 11th, it's back to flat and clean on the 12th, but still nothing to write home about.
Honestly, this whole stretch looks better for kiteboarding than paddle surfing. The waves are just too weak and small.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Wed afternoon, min 25°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 32°C on Sat afternoon, min 21°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | ||||||||||||||
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 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SW 4 | SE 8 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SE 8 | E 4 | E 6 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 20 | 27 | 19 | 19 | 66 | 90 | 79 | 55 | 54 | 39 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 27 | 10 | 17 | 18 | 10 | 15 | 49 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross |
High Tide | 10:25PM1.39m | 11:00AM1.53m | 11:12PM1.33m | 11:53AM1.52m | 00:04AM1.26m | 12:51PM1.52m | 1:03AM1.22m | 1:54PM1.52m | 2:07AM1.19m | 3:00PM1.53m | 3:14AM1.21m | 4:04PM1.56m | 4:19AM1.26m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:20PM0.25m | 4:31AM0.16m | 5:10PM0.29m | 5:16AM0.17m | 6:06PM0.34m | 6:07AM0.19m | 7:11PM0.38m | 7:08AM0.21m | 8:22PM0.40m | 8:16AM0.22m | 9:34PM0.38m | 9:28AM0.20m | 10:39PM0.33m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |  | |
 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — |
 | 7:39 | — | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:32 | — | — | 7:31 | — |
mm | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 22 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 30 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 28 | 25 | 27 | 25 |
Feels °C | 32 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 33 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 32 | 33 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSW 4 | ESE 5 | SSW 4 | SW 5 |
| kJ | 20 | 27 | 19 | 19 | 66 | 90 | 79 | 55 | 54 | 39 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 18 | 7 | 2 | 1 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 5 | — | S 15 | SSE 13 | SE 7 | — | — | — | SSW 3 | — | — | — | E 6 | S 6 | S 5 | E 6 | SE 8 | SSW 5 | SE 9 | SE 9 |
| kJ | 2 | — | 4 | 17 | 18 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 3 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 3 | SE 8 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 10 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 3 | — | SSW 3 | SW 3 | SW 4 | SSW 3 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SSW 4 | N 2 | — | E 4 | E 6 |
| kJ | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 27 | 9 | 17 | 1 | — | 15 | 49 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 810 | 312 | 308 | 284 | 22 | 22 | 629 | 45 | 22 | 514 | 308 | 501 | 378 | 501 | 1776 | 2170 | 129 | 831 | 831 | 1122 |
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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