Surf Forecasts:
Masonboro Inlet surf forecast from 4 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 7s period, E swell with 429 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Masonboro Inlet this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Masonboro Inlet in the next 16 days are 2.0m 7s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 06) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Masonboro Inlet over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Gotta be straight with you – the outlook for the next couple of weeks is a tough one.
Let’s start with the big picture: it’s a long, flat spell for Masonboro Inlet. The forecast is showing a real drought of any decent surf. We’re looking at a gap of about two weeks before we get anything that might be worth a look. The first sign of any real pulse doesn’t show up until the 19th of September, and even then, it’s a one-hit wonder.
Kicking off on Friday the 4th, it’s small and choppy. Swell is a weak 2 ft from the south with a short period of 6 seconds. The combined energy is a measly 18, and with a cross-shore wind, it’s just messy. That theme carries right through the whole first week and into the second. Day after day, we’re seeing tiny waves, poor conditions, and onshore winds. There’s a bit of a bump on the 7th where the swell from the east-northeast climbs to 6 ft, but the period is still a short 6 seconds, and the wind is a fresh 19 mph cross-shore, making it a lumpy, choppy mess. The energy jumps to 263, but it’s just not surfable for a paddle.
The 19th of September is the only real standout in the whole 16-day window. The morning shows a clean 4 ft swell from the south, with a period of 5 seconds and a combined energy of 100 (moderate). The wind is a light 9 mph cross-off, which is a major positive. The water temperature is about average for the time of year. This is your best bet by a long shot, but keep your expectations in check – it’s a small, short-period swell and the break is famously inconsistent. On the plus side, it’s an advanced break, so you won’t be fighting beginners, but crowds are likely. With the swell being well under 5 ft, it’s safe for most skill levels.
For the rest of the stretch, the setup is so poor for paddle surfing that you’d be better off looking for a kite if the wind is right. There’s just nothing else to get excited about. It’s a blank run, and for this area, that’s unfortunately pretty normal.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 29mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 33°C on Sat afternoon, min 23°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Sun night. Warm (max 27°C on Tue afternoon, min 23°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Mon morning, light winds from the ENE by Tue night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | ||||||||||||||
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 | S 6 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSW 5 | ESE 8 | SSW 5 | S 5 | SE 9 | ENE 5 | E 6 | E 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | SE 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 34 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 16 | 25 | 6 | 25 | 12 | 13 | 51 | 263 | 343 | 191 | 114 | 78 | 33 | 23 | 20 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 1:30AM1.06m | 2:21PM1.31m | 2:43AM1.04m | 3:32PM1.32m | 3:58AM1.06m | 4:41PM1.36m | 5:08AM1.12m | 5:44PM1.40m | 6:11AM1.19m | 6:41PM1.44m | 7:08AM1.28m | 7:32PM1.45m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:03AM0.12m | 9:04PM0.30m | 9:13AM0.13m | 10:16PM0.28m | 10:24AM0.12m | 11:23PM0.23m | 11:30AM0.07m | 00:22AM0.15m | 12:30PM0.02m | 1:14AM0.08m | 1:25PM-0.02m | 2:00AM0.03m | |||||||
 |  | | | | |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — |
 | 7:35 | — | 7:32 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:29 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:25 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 23 | 3 | 3 | 10 | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 29 | 31 | 28 | 31 | 33 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 |
Feels °C | 31 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 33 | 34 | 25 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSW 5 | S 5 | ESE 9 | SSW 5 | S 5 | S 5 | SW 5 | — | — | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | SE 6 |
| kJ | 34 | 45 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 6 | 28 | 13 | 8 | 20 | 4 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 78 | 33 | 23 | 20 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | SE 8 | E 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 5 | SE 9 | SE 9 | — | — | — | S 5 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 8 | SE 9 |
| kJ | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 13 | 19 | — | — | — | 1 | 8 | 7 | 18 | 20 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | E 6 | E 6 | — | E 7 | E 7 | ENE 5 | E 8 | E 12 | — | — | — | — | S 6 | SE 10 | E 10 | E 9 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | 7 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 3 | S 6 | S 3 | SSW 4 | S 5 | SSW 5 | — | SSW 5 | S 5 | ENE 4 | ENE 5 | E 6 | E 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | — | — | — | S 3 |
| kJ | 2 | 17 | 8 | 19 | 12 | 25 | — | 25 | 12 | 5 | 51 | 263 | 343 | 191 | 114 | — | — | — | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 545 | 17 | 2169 | 43 | 37 | 2169 | 5 | 115 | 816 | 588 | 588 | 745 | 95 | 95 | 154 | 288 | 283 | 971 | 545 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Carolina | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Masonboro Inlet Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Masonboro Inlet provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Masonboro Inlet can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Masonboro Inlet 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 (Masonboro Inlet) 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 Masonboro Inlet 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.
Masonboro Inlet is 13 km (8 miles) from the city of Wilmington. If you plan a vacation in North Carolina, look for hotels and other accommodation in Wilmington. Wilmington has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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