
Surf Forecasts:
Nags Head Pier surf forecast from 30 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 3 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s period, SE swell with 86 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Nags Head Pier this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Nags Head Pier in the next 16 days are 0.9m 7s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 03) 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 0.8m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Nags Head Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin' for the Outer Banks.
First off, I gotta be straight with you. The next 16 days are lookin' pretty flat and sad. There’s a long stretch of junk ahead. We’ve got a big gap of almost no surf worth paddling for, kickin' off from now through the first week of August. The water at Nags Head Pier is runnin' about 77°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year – nothin’ wild, but you’ll feel it on a still morning.
The only real flicker of hope comes late in the window. On the morning of Saturday, August 8th, the wind goes glassy from the WSW at 3 mph. The swell is tiny, only 2 ft from the ESE at 8 seconds, and the combined energy is a weak 43. It’s barely surfable, but it’s the cleanest we’ll see. If you’re desperate for a small log session, that’s your window. Then later, on Thursday, August 13th, the afternoon goes glassy again with a calm wind. Swell is a bit bigger in energy at 52, still only 1.0 ft from the ENE at 11 seconds. That long period might give it a little more shape, but it’s still tiny. These are the only two standouts, and they're not standouts for power – just for a chance to get wet on clean, tiny waves.
Otherwise, it’s a whole lot of onshore wind, cross-chop, and zero energy. The whole first week is a write-off. From July 30th right through to August 7th, every day is poor surf conditions. Strong winds, cross-shore mess, and swell heights barely above 2 ft. The few moments of offshore wind on Sunday afternoon, July 31st, and Monday afternoon, August 3rd, still have almost no swell to work with. That’s a long dry spell, about nine days of nothin’.
Bottom line: Don’t get your hopes up. The second week has a couple of glassy moments, but they’re for the patient, the longboarders, and the folks who just wanna be out there. The energy is weak, the swell is small, and the crowds at Nags Head Pier are sometimes an issue, but honestly, on these days, it’ll be empty.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu afternoon, min 24°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 71mm), heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 28°C on Sun afternoon, min 23°C on Tue night). Mainly strong winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | SE 8 | E 10 | SE 9 | E 10 | ESE 9 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 8 | SE 7 | ENE 4 | SE 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | SE 7 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
8 | 20 | 8 | 26 | 7 | 7 | 18 | 14 | 43 | 33 | 39 | 77 | 49 | 7 | 12 | 31 | 13 | 35 | 26 | 28 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:01PM1.17m | 9:22AM1.01m | 9:40PM1.16m | 10:03AM1.06m | 10:19PM1.14m | 10:45AM1.10m | 11:00PM1.11m | 11:29AM1.15m | 11:43PM1.07m | 12:16PM1.18m | 00:31AM1.03m | 1:08PM1.21m | 1:23AM0.99m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:38PM0.18m | 3:23AM0.18m | 3:22PM0.17m | 3:58AM0.15m | 4:07PM0.17m | 4:34AM0.13m | 4:52PM0.17m | 5:12AM0.12m | 5:41PM0.17m | 5:53AM0.11m | 6:33PM0.18m | 6:38AM0.11m | 7:30PM0.19m | |||||||
— | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | |
8:08 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:05 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:02 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 3 | 12 | 2 | 12 | 30 | 10 | 13 | 10 |
Temp °C | 27 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 23 | 25 |
Feels °C | 29 | 26 | 23 | 26 | 25 | 29 | 26 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 21 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 6 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 5 | ESE 6 | NE 4 | NE 5 |
14 | 20 | 15 | 26 | 14 | 10 | 18 | 14 | 43 | 33 | 39 | 77 | 49 | 31 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 35 | 13 | 11 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 4 | N 5 | E 10 | NNE 7 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 5 | — | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | S 6 | SE 7 | E 9 | ESE 6 | SE 7 |
6 | 2 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 7 | 7 | 1 | 12 | 2 | 26 | 28 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | NE 8 | NE 7 | — | E 10 | ESE 9 | NE 6 | E 9 | S 6 | — | — | — | E 6 | E 13 | S 6 | E 12 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
8 | 3 | 2 | — | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 3 | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 6 | SE 4 | — | — | S 4 | — | — | — | E 3 | ENE 4 | NE 4 | NE 4 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 9 | — | — | 7 | — | — | — | 4 | 31 | 10 | 11 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 537 | 43 | 43 | 684 | 254 | 654 | 1043 | 871 | 1073 | 871 | 872 | 863 | 827 | 289 | 654 | 827 | 844 | 827 | 2745 | 830 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Carolina | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Latest Updates
Information about the Nags Head Pier Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Nags Head Pier provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Nags Head Pier can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Nags Head 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 (Nags Head 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 Nags Head 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.
Are you planning a vacation in North Carolina? If you are looking for accommodation near Nags Head Pier, camping, hotels and condos and appartments in North Carolina, consider staying in Elizabeth City which is 66 km (41 miles) away. Alternatively, find information about places to stay and car hire in Cape Hatteras which is 83 km (52 miles) away











