Masonboro Inlet Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get this straight. The way I’m looking at the charts, things are pretty grim for the next couple of weeks. We’re talking about Masonboro Inlet, and honestly, I’m not seeing a single window where the surf is worth paddling out for. The whole 16-day outlook is a dud.

Starting from now, Tuesday morning, it’s small. We’ve got a tiny 1-foot swell out of the southeast with a short, weak 6-second period – barely a ripple. The combined swell energy is a measly 9, so there’s just no push. The water is sitting at 83°, which is about average for this time of year, so at least it’s warm. But that’s the only positive.

The pattern just doesn’t change. Every day, morning after morning, we see the same story: small swell, poor surf conditions. The wind does shift around but never really lines up. A few mornings have clean conditions with light offshore or cross-offshore breezes, like Wednesday morning with a NNW wind, but the swell is only 1-foot. It’s clean but flat. Even when the swell bumps up a little, like on Saturday afternoon the 15th, with a 4-foot easterly at 5 seconds, the onshore wind is 12 mph and it’s choppy – not worth it.

As we push into the second week, the early part of the following week shows a little more energy. Monday the 24th afternoon has a 4-foot easterly swell with a 7-second period and a moderate energy reading of 172, and the wind is a clean cross-offshore from the north-northeast at 16 mph. That’s the best-looking window in the whole forecast, but it’s still “poor surf conditions.” The swell is too short-period and raw, and it’s a beach/jetty setup, so that kind of wind and swell may actually be more interesting if you’re into kite surfing rather than regular surfing.

The next day, Tuesday the 25th, sees a similar 4-foot easterly swell with a 7-second period, but the wind is a fresh cross-shore from the east-northeast at 19 mph, making it lumpy and messy. The energy climbs to 274, but the quality just isn’t there.

The rest of the week is more of the same – small, weak, or onshore. The 22nd of August morning has a glassy moment with a 2-foot south-southwest swell, but it’s a short 5-second period and the energy is only 56. It looks clean, but it’s not going to offer any real wave.

Look, Masonboro Inlet is a spot that’s *inconsistent*, and this run is a real blank. The guidance shows it’s advanced-level, and north-east is the optimum direction, but we just aren’t getting that. It’s a long stretch of nothing. Forecasts can change, but right now, I wouldn’t waste the gas. I’ll be keeping an eye on it, but don’t hold your breath.

Rusty.

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