
Surf Forecasts:
Margate Pier surf forecast from 26 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 30 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 8s period, NE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 30 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 8s period, NE swell with 424 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 26 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 7s period with ESE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Margate Pier this week:
The surf forecast for Margate Pier over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 26) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Margate Pier in the next 16 days are 1.9m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 30) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 30) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sun 26th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Thu 30th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Thu 30th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Margate Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what’s coming up for Margate Pier.
Honestly, looking at the next two weeks, it’s a pretty grim stretch for waves. There’s not a single standout session where everything comes together nicely. For the first few days, we’re stuck with small, weak swell and onshore winds that just mess it up. The water temp is 76°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, but you won’t be caring about that when you’re bobbing around on a 2ft lump.
From Saturday the 25th right through to Thursday the 30th of July, the surf is basically a no-go. Small swells from the east and south, mostly around 2ft to 3ft, and the wind is either cross-on or cross-shore, making it choppy and bumpy. The combined energy is weak, never hitting a strong range, with values like 104 and 121 on the first couple of days, but it’s just poor conditions.
Now, there is one moment that might get you out of bed. Thursday the 30th in the afternoon looks like the only proper chance. The swell bumps up to 6ft from the northeast, with a 8-second period. The energy ramps up to 590 (moderate wave energy), which is the biggest pulse in the whole forecast. And here’s the kicker: we get light offshore winds from the west-northwest, keeping it clean. That’s a good setup for the pier. For an intermediate surfer, it’s doable, but anything over 5ft starts to get a bit much for beginners. The period is short, so it’ll be a bit messy and close together, but with those winds? It's the best on offer. This is a beach/pier setup, so expect the crowds ‘sometimes’—could be a few out for that window.
After that, it drops right back down. From Friday the 31st of July right through to Sunday the 9th of August, it’s back to tiny surf, mostly under 2ft, with weak energy numbers in the 20s, 30s, and 40s. Winds are all over the place, but most of it is cross-on or just not clean enough for the tiny swell to matter. There’s a long gap of nothing worth paddling for.
So, bottom line: if you can only go once, pin your hopes on Thursday afternoon, the 30th of July. That is your window. Everything else is a flat spell best spent on the beach, not in the water.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon afternoon, min 18°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Tue night. Warm (max 28°C on Thu afternoon, min 19°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | ||||||||||||||
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) | E 7 | ESE 7 | E 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 5 | S 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | ENE 7 | NE 8 | SSE 9 | E 7 | SSE 8 | SE 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
61 | 55 | 72 | 29 | 44 | 43 | 31 | 22 | 15 | 44 | 327 | 173 | 149 | 126 | 114 | 424 | 58 | 28 | 26 | 21 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:04PM1.27m | 6:27AM0.92m | 6:49PM1.31m | 7:13AM0.95m | 7:31PM1.36m | 7:55AM0.99m | 8:11PM1.39m | 8:35AM1.03m | 8:49PM1.40m | 9:12AM1.07m | 9:24PM1.40m | 9:48AM1.10m | 9:59PM1.37m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:43AM0.21m | 12:22PM0.21m | 1:27AM0.17m | 1:06PM0.18m | 2:08AM0.14m | 1:48PM0.15m | 2:45AM0.10m | 2:28PM0.13m | 3:20AM0.08m | 3:07PM0.12m | 3:54AM0.06m | 3:47PM0.12m | 4:27AM0.05m | |||||||
— | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | |
8:16 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:10 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 15 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 26 | 24 | 23 | 28 | 26 | 24 | 28 | 26 |
Feels °C | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 21 | 22 | 27 | 26 | 22 | 26 | 26 | 23 | 25 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | ESE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SSE 6 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | E 7 | E 7 | SSE 8 | SE 7 |
43 | 55 | 49 | 29 | 44 | 43 | 31 | 22 | 14 | 7 | 136 | 173 | 149 | 126 | 114 | 138 | 54 | 26 | 26 | 14 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 6 | — | — | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 6 | — | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 |
— | 26 | — | — | 18 | 18 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | — | 45 | 28 | 58 | 28 | 15 | 10 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 8 | S 6 | — | — | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 9 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 6 | 6 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 21 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | — | E 8 | E 6 | — | — | SSE 2 | S 4 | S 4 | SSE 5 | S 7 | — | — | NE 6 | N 4 | NE 8 | — | — | SSW 3 | S 4 |
61 | — | 72 | 26 | — | — | 1 | 11 | 15 | 44 | 327 | — | — | 106 | 7 | 424 | — | — | 5 | 19 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 295 | 0 | 51 | 466 | 0 | 1096 | 1552 | 11 | 420 | 1552 | 92 | 53 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 17 | 7 |
Best forecast wave conditions in New Jersey | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Margate Pier Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Margate Pier provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Margate Pier can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Margate 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 (Margate 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 Margate 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.
Margate Pier is 6 km (4 miles) from Ocean City. If you plan a vacation in New Jersey, look for hotels and other accommodation in Ocean City. Ocean City has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










