Surf Forecasts:
Kitty Hawk Pier surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 12s period, ESE swell with 129 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Kitty Hawk Pier this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Kitty Hawk Pier in the next 16 days are 0.7m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 4s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kitty Hawk Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you: the next couple of weeks look pretty bleak for a paddle out at Kitty Hawk Pier. The entire 16-day window is a struggle, and we’ve got a long stretch of flat, weak, or messy conditions right from the start. There’s a massive gap with no real surf to speak of until the very end of the forecast period.
The first real flicker of life doesn't show up until Wednesday, August 26th, in the afternoon. That’s a solid 13 days of flatness or tiny, blown-out dribble to get through. That afternoon, the wind finally swings offshore from the west, blowing at 12.4 mph, and we see a jump in swell. A 6.9 ft swell from the northeast hits, but with a short period of only 7 seconds, it’s going to be a bit lumpy and lack shape. The combined energy jumps to a strong 474, which is a lot of water moving around, but that short period means it’s going to be a bit of a washing machine. The offshore wind will keep the surface clean, though. This is the only day that even sniffs at being decent, and it’s more of a strong, chunky closeout for experts only.
The next morning, Thursday, August 27th, is a close second. The wind goes glassy, absolutely dead calm from the northeast, and the swell drops to a cleaner 5.2 ft from the east-northeast. The combined energy is still a solid 312. The period is still short at 8 seconds, so it’s not a classic groundswell, but that glassy morning window will make it look way better than it is. This is the best chance for a more experienced surfer to get a few clean, punchy waves before the onshore wind kicks in during the afternoon.
For the rest of the time? Tiny waves, onshore slop, or virtually no energy at all. The water temp is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting at 82.0°F, but that’s about the only thing in your favor. Honestly, this setup looks more interesting for a kite surfer with that strong, short-period afternoon pulse on the 26th than for a paddle surfer. Keep the board in the car, but don’t get your hopes up until that last week of August.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Thu afternoon, min 24°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 29°C on Sun afternoon, min 22°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | NE 4 | ENE 4 | ENE 4 | ESE 8 | S 4 | ESE 8 | SE 7 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 12 | 12 | 7 | 7 | 13 | 14 | 27 | 38 | 40 | 32 | 37 | 125 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | on | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 8:04PM1.33m | 8:33AM1.17m | 8:50PM1.30m | 9:21AM1.21m | 9:36PM1.23m | 10:09AM1.22m | 10:22PM1.15m | 10:58AM1.21m | 11:07PM1.05m | 11:43AM1.19m | 11:50PM0.97m | 12:26PM1.15m | 00:32AM0.89m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:47PM-0.06m | 2:31AM-0.10m | 2:38PM-0.06m | 3:13AM-0.10m | 3:29PM-0.01m | 3:56AM-0.06m | 4:22PM0.07m | 4:40AM0.01m | 5:17PM0.17m | 5:24AM0.09m | 6:10PM0.26m | 6:07AM0.19m | 7:01PM0.35m | ||||||||
 | |  | | |  |  |  | | | | |  | | | |  |  | | | | |
 | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — |
 | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:49 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 31 | 30 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 24 | 26 | 26 |
Feels °C | 26 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 31 | 32 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 30 | 27 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | ESE 8 | ENE 4 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 7 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 12 |
| kJ | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 27 | 38 | 40 | 32 | 37 | 125 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 6 | — | E 7 | E 10 | — | — | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SSE 6 | ESE 8 | E 4 | E 5 | E 7 | — | — | E 6 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | NNE 5 |
| kJ | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | 3 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | — | — | 1 | 19 | 34 | 9 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | E 11 | E 8 | E 10 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | E 10 | S 7 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | NE 5 | E 7 | NNW 3 | — | ESE 14 | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | — | 19 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 3 | — | S 2 | WSW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | ENE 4 | — | — | S 4 | S 4 | W 3 | — | — | NNE 3 | NNE 4 | NE 5 |
| kJ | 2 | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | 12 | — | — | 13 | 50 | 2 | — | — | 4 | 10 | 10 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1910 | 1700 | 1277 | 582 | 1886 | 1878 | 60 | 2836 | 99 | 179 | 1405 | 836 | 878 | 1070 | 78 | 60 | 418 | 99 | 179 | 439 | 244 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Carolina | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Kitty Hawk Pier Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Kitty Hawk Pier provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Kitty Hawk Pier can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Kitty Hawk Pier 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 (Kitty Hawk Pier) 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 Kitty Hawk Pier 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.
Kitty Hawk Pier is 53 km (33 miles) from the city of Elizabeth City. If you plan a vacation in North Carolina, look for hotels and other accommodation in Elizabeth City. Elizabeth City has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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