Surf Forecasts:
Nags Head Pier surf forecast from 25 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 27 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 8s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 6s period, NE swell with 92 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 27 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 8s period with ESE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Nags Head Pier this week:
The surf forecast for Nags Head Pier over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 27) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Nags Head Pier in the next 16 days are 1.2m 6s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 7s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Mon 27th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Mon 27th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Sat 25th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Nags Head Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. This is a tough stretch for the Outer Banks. I’m looking at Nags Head Pier, and honestly, the next two weeks are pretty grim. The problem is a lack of any real swell and wind that’s all over the place. The water’s sitting at 79°, which is about average for this time of year, so that’s not the issue.
The first sign of anything that might get you wet isn’t until Thursday, July 30th. The morning looks clean, with a light wind, but it’s tiny—only 2ft from the southeast. The wave energy is weak (70), so you’re looking at small, weak waves. Not worth paddling out for unless you’re desperate.
We hit a completely dead stretch from Friday, July 31st, all the way through the weekend and into the next week. There’s a slight bump early on Monday, August 3rd. The morning offers a bit of southeast swell at 3ft, and the wind is clean and light. The energy is moderate (136), but the period is only 8 seconds, so it’s a short-period, soft swell. It’s surfable, but it’s very ordinary. The afternoon gets ruined by a cross-shore breeze and a storm risk.
There’s another small window on Wednesday, August 5th, with a morning offshore wind. But the swell is only 2ft, and energy is very weak (22). You’d be fighting for scraps.
The rest of the week into the second weekend stays tiny and messy. The swell never gets over 3ft, and the wind is often cross-shore or onshore. There’s nothing here that stands out as a proper session. The consistent low energy and poor conditions mean the pier is a no-go for a solid two weeks.
It’s a real bummer, but it’s a blank run. Forecasts can change, but right now, you’re better off checking the kitesurfing spots if the wind picks up.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Warm (max 27°C on Mon afternoon, min 21°C on Sat afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 42mm), heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 28°C on Tue afternoon, min 23°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the S on Tue night, calm by Wed night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | NE 6 | NE 6 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 6 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | NE 7 | SE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 89 | 77 | 47 | 50 | 49 | 34 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 25 | 21 | 27 | 38 | 18 | 64 | 69 | 91 | 55 | 43 | 29 | 35 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:20PM1.09m | 5:31AM0.82m | 6:09PM1.11m | 6:22AM0.84m | 6:56PM1.14m | 7:10AM0.87m | 7:40PM1.16m | 7:56AM0.91m | 8:22PM1.17m | 8:40AM0.96m | 9:01PM1.17m | 9:22AM1.01m | 9:40PM1.16m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:36AM0.26m | 11:53PM0.34m | 11:27AM0.25m | 00:41AM0.31m | 12:17PM0.23m | 1:26AM0.28m | 1:05PM0.21m | 2:07AM0.24m | 1:52PM0.19m | 2:46AM0.21m | 2:38PM0.18m | 3:23AM0.18m | 3:22PM0.17m | 3:58AM0.15m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | | |  | |  | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — |
 | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:07 | — |
mm | 4 | 7 | 3 | — | — | 1 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | 36 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
Feels °C | 23 | 22 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 25 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ENE 6 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSE 5 | SE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 |
| kJ | 32 | 35 | 32 | 50 | 49 | 34 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 25 | 21 | 35 | 38 | 20 | 64 | 69 | 91 | 55 | 43 | 29 | 15 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | ESE 8 | — | — | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | SE 6 | SSE 4 | SE 8 | N 4 | E 8 | E 9 | — | E 10 | SE 7 | SSE 7 |
| kJ | — | — | 47 | — | — | 9 | 15 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 27 | 5 | 18 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 7 | 26 | 5 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 6 | S 6 | — | — | E 9 | WSW 4 | E 9 | NE 6 | — | — | — | — | ESE 9 | ESE 9 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | 7 | 1 | 6 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 8 | 16 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | NE 6 | — | NE 6 | NE 6 | — | — | SE 2 | S 3 | SSW 3 | S 4 | SW 4 | — | N 4 | — | — | NNE 3 | NE 4 | NE 7 | — | SE 8 |
| kJ | 89 | 77 | — | 19 | 19 | — | — | 1 | 3 | 3 | 19 | 10 | — | 6 | — | — | 3 | 16 | 38 | — | 35 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 84 | 78 | 94 | 170 | 1056 | 0 | 1172 | 1172 | 479 | 217 | 217 | 217 | 17 | 199 | 0 | 0 | 84 | 0 | 174 | 684 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Carolina | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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
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