Surf Forecasts:
Masonboro Inlet surf forecast from 5 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period, SE swell with 93 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 0.9m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Sat 8th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Masonboro Inlet over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here, and I've got to be honest with you: the surf report for Masonboro Inlet is a tough one to write. We're looking at a solid two-week stretch of nothing but flat, weak, and messy conditions. If you were hoping for a window, you're going to be disappointed.
The water's warm, sitting at 82°, which is pretty normal for this time of year. But that's the only highlight. Right from the get-go, Tuesday afternoon has a tiny 2ft of swell, but it's a weak 7-second period and it's chopped up by a cross-onshore wind. It's just a mess. Wednesday and Thursday are even worse, with the swell dropping to almost nothing. The south wind is going to be a constant theme, keeping the surface lumpy and uninviting.
The first week is a total loss, with the swell struggling to get past 3ft. The wind stays mostly cross or cross-onshore, so the surface is going to be rough. The only clean window we see is Sunday morning, but the swell is a pathetic 2ft. Not worth the effort.
Moving into the second week, things pick up a little, but it's nothing to write home about. Thursday the 13th sees a 4ft southwest swell with light offshore winds. It's the first time conditions line up, but it's just "ordinary." The energy is still only moderate, so it's not going to be a classic. Friday the 14th has a little more size at 4ft, but the wind goes cross-shore and kills the quality.
There is nothing here that gets me fired up. Masonboro Inlet is inconsistent, and the swell direction never really matches what the spot needs. If you're a beginner, the lack of size is a plus, but the onshore wind and chop will just make it frustrating. The whole period is a write-off. On the bigger, windier days, this beach/jetty setup might be better for kite surfers than for us.
Keep your board in the car and your expectations low. Sometimes the ocean just doesn't cooperate. This is one of those times.
Rusty, out.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Wed morning, min 23°C on Tue afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Sat night. Warm (max 31°C on Sun afternoon, min 26°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | ||||||||||||||
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 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SW 5 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 37 | 68 | 0 | 54 | 54 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 77 | 77 | 93 | 48 | 37 | 26 | 25 | 20 | 11 | 25 | 30 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 00:40AM1.09m | 1:28PM1.24m | 1:39AM1.04m | 2:33PM1.26m | 2:47AM1.01m | 3:42PM1.29m | 4:01AM1.01m | 4:51PM1.34m | 5:13AM1.04m | 5:56PM1.39m | 6:20AM1.10m | 6:56PM1.44m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:04PM0.20m | 7:22AM0.06m | 8:06PM0.23m | 8:20AM0.06m | 9:16PM0.25m | 9:26AM0.06m | 10:28PM0.24m | 10:34AM0.04m | 11:37PM0.19m | 11:40AM-0.00m | 00:38AM0.12m | 12:42PM-0.05m | 1:34AM0.05m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  |  |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — |
 | 8:09 | — | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:05 | — | — | 8:04 | — |
mm | 8 | 2 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 29 | 31 | 28 | 31 | 32 | 29 |
Feels °C | 27 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 33 | 31 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 6 | SE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | — | SSE 6 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 7 | E 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | SE 6 | SE 6 |
| kJ | 35 | 68 | 65 | 54 | — | 40 | 2 | 2 | 53 | 2 | 77 | 93 | 48 | 37 | 26 | 25 | 18 | 11 | 10 | 6 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | — | SSW 5 | — | — | — | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | — | — | — | E 9 | — | E 8 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 |
| kJ | 37 | — | 11 | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | E 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSE 6 | — | SSW 5 | SE 6 | SW 5 | SE 6 | SE 6 | — | SE 7 | S 4 | — | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 |
| kJ | — | 68 | — | 10 | 54 | 5 | 38 | 39 | — | 77 | 13 | — | 10 | 13 | 9 | 9 | 20 | 10 | 25 | 30 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 282 | 2 | 17 | 33 | 1691 | 282 | 1227 | 730 | 17 | 561 | 472 | 288 | 510 | 346 | 370 | 510 | 510 | 472 | 510 | 37 |
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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