Surf Forecasts:
Nags Head Pier surf forecast from 2 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 4 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 7s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 3 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s period, SE swell with 182 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 4 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 7s period with SE 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 Tuesday (Aug 04) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 12s. 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 8s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 03) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 02) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5PM (Tue 4th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Tue 4th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Nags Head Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, switching over for my American crew. Let’s be honest about the next couple of weeks on the Outer Banks: it’s looking pretty quiet. Don't expect any fireworks.
We kick things off on Sunday, August 2nd, and it’s a mess. A weak 3 ft swell out of the southeast with a short, choppy 6-second period, and hardly any energy behind it (80). The wind is screaming from the SSW at 22 mph, making for some real junk conditions at Nags Head Pier. Total waste of time.
Monday the 3rd shows a tiny pulse of energy (167) with waves around 3 ft, and the period stretches to a slightly better 8 seconds. But the wind is still a fresh breeze out of the SW at 19 mph, so it’s still poor. Could have been a fun little wave, but the wind is just ruining it.
Tuesday the 4th brings more small stuff, 2 ft to 3 ft. The wind does drop to a gentle 9 mph by the afternoon, making it surfable but very ordinary. If you are dying to get wet you might snag a tiny one, but it’s nothing to write home about.
From Wednesday the 5th all the way through to Sunday the 16th, we are looking at a long, dry spell. Wave heights mostly stay below 2 ft, and the wind is either too strong or onshore, creating a bumpy surface. There are a couple of almost-there moments: Saturday morning the 8th has light winds and a clean 2 ft swell, and Wednesday morning the 12th is dead glassy with a 2 ft swell. But there is zero power. The wave energy stays below 50 for nearly the whole run, which says it all.
Honestly, there is no standout window here. The best you can hope for is Tuesday morning, August 12th. It will be glassy with barely a breath of wind, and a weak 2 ft swell. But that swell period is a terrible 4 seconds, so you are looking at fat, mushy lumps. Not worth rushing out for.
So there you have it. The next two weeks are flat and quiet for the Outer Banks. Don't sweat it too much—it won't stay this way forever, and you know how quick things can change around here.
Keep the wax warm.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 84mm), heaviest during Mon morning. Warm (max 28°C on Sun morning, min 23°C on Tue morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Sun afternoon, light winds from the SSW by Tue afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Tue night. Warm (max 30°C on Thu afternoon, min 24°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | ||||||||||||||
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 4 | SE 6 | NE 6 | E 6 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | E 12 | SE 7 | SSE 4 | S 4 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 23 | 78 | 1 | 1 | 167 | 125 | 71 | 36 | 52 | 3 | 36 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 14 | 15 | 35 | 29 | 43 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 2:05PM1.23m | 2:22AM0.95m | 3:07PM1.25m | 3:27AM0.94m | ||||||
Low Tide | 4:34AM0.13m | 4:52PM0.17m | 5:12AM0.12m | 5:41PM0.17m | 5:53AM0.11m | 6:33PM0.18m | 6:38AM0.11m | 7:30PM0.19m | 7:29AM0.11m | 8:32PM0.20m | 8:26AM0.11m | 9:38PM0.20m | |||||||
 |  | |  | |  |  | | | | |  |  | |  | | | | | |
 | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — |
 | 8:07 | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:05 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — |
mm | 1 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 31 | 6 | 8 | 18 | 8 | 4 | 3 | — | — | 4 | — | 4 | 2 | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 27 |
Feels °C | 27 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 25 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 31 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | E 6 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 |
| kJ | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 167 | 125 | 71 | 36 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 11 | 12 | 35 | 29 | 43 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | NE 6 | — | — | — | — | E 13 | E 9 | — | — | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | NE 9 | E 9 |
| kJ | 7 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 3 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 12 | E 8 | E 9 | E 11 | E 13 | E 13 | E 11 | — | E 11 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | 2 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 4 | SE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | SSW 5 | SSW 4 | SW 4 | SSW 3 | SE 7 | SSE 6 | SE 7 | SSE 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | SW 3 | S 3 | SSW 4 |
| kJ | 23 | 78 | 208 | 336 | 69 | 31 | 16 | 3 | 52 | 80 | 36 | 20 | 20 | 9 | 14 | 15 | 1 | 8 | 13 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 918 | 1409 | 886 | 360 | 49 | 289 | 17 | 298 | 0 | 94 | 94 | 2114 | 684 | 504 | 684 | 519 | 0 | 486 | 254 |
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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