Surf Forecasts:
Nags Head Pier surf forecast from 10 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 10s period, ESE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 10s period, ESE swell with 37 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 10s 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 (Aug 17) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 4s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Nags Head Pier in the next 16 days are 0.4m 10s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) 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 0.8m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Nags Head Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – if you’re looking for a classic Outer Banks session over the next couple of weeks, you’re gonna have to be patient. Real patient. The forecast is pretty bleak for a while, with a long stretch of nothing but small, jumbled, and messy surf. We're talking ankle-biters and knee-high slop for the better part of a week and a half.
The first standout opportunity doesn’t even show up until Monday, August 18th. That’s a gap of over a week with no real surf to speak of. When that morning rolls around, we finally see a pulse of energy. The swell is still small, only 1.6ft, but it’s coming from the east with a long, clean 15-second period. More importantly, the wind is dead calm – glassy conditions. The combined energy reading is 159, which is moderate, but the cleanliness is what will make it worth a paddle. It’s still not big, but it’s the first sign of life.
The next morning, Tuesday the 19th, looks like the pick of the bunch. The swell bumps up a touch to 3ft, still from the ESE, with a 12-second period. The energy jumps to 240, which is solidly moderate. The problem? The wind swings onshore out of the ESE at 15 mph, and there are rain showers around. It’s going to be lumpy and rainy, but there’s more push to it. This is a "make the most of it" session, not a classic.
Honestly, that’s about it. The rest of the window is more of the same – small, weak, and mostly messy. The water temp is sitting at 82.6°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you won’t need a thick suit.
For the second week, the outlook gets even more uncertain. There are a few pulses of energy (the 25th shows some 4-4.5ft swell) but they’re all coming with onshore winds and short, weak periods. That’s not surf to get excited about. It’s just more chop.
So, the short version: mark your calendar for the morning of Monday, August 18th, and maybe Tuesday the 19th. Those are your best bets for a clean-ish wave. Everything else is a waiting game. Hang loose.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 33°C on Tue afternoon, min 24°C on Wed morning). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 32°C on Thu afternoon, min 24°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 7 | SE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 9 | S 6 | NNW 3 | N 5 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 8 | SE 5 | ESE 8 | SE 5 | SE 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 5 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 21 | 25 | 7 | 6 | 26 | 11 | 22 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross | off | off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:19PM1.33m | 6:42AM1.03m | 7:17PM1.34m | 7:40AM1.09m | 8:11PM1.33m | 8:33AM1.15m | 9:01PM1.29m | 9:23AM1.19m | 9:48PM1.23m | 10:11AM1.21m | 10:33PM1.16m | 10:57AM1.21m | 11:16PM1.07m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:41AM0.06m | 00:49AM0.11m | 12:44PM0.03m | 1:42AM0.08m | 1:44PM0.01m | 2:31AM0.05m | 2:40PM0.01m | 3:17AM0.05m | 3:33PM0.02m | 4:00AM0.06m | 4:24PM0.06m | 4:41AM0.08m | 5:13PM0.12m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — |
 | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — |
mm | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 33 | 31 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 28 | 26 |
Feels °C | 31 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 33 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 28 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 23 | 28 | 28 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 6 | SE 6 | ESE 7 | SSE 6 | ESE 9 | S 4 | N 5 | N 4 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 5 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SE 9 |
| kJ | 4 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 11 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 21 | 25 | 9 | 5 | 26 | 11 | 19 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | E 10 | E 9 | ESE 9 | E 8 | WSW 4 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | — | E 10 | E 10 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 12 | E 12 | ESE 8 | NNE 5 | NE 5 | NNE 4 | NE 4 |
| kJ | 5 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 11 | — | 2 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 12 | SSE 6 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | NE 4 | E 10 | E 13 | E 13 | E 7 | E 7 | E 10 | ESE 8 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 3 | SSW 2 | SSW 4 | W 3 | S 6 | NNW 3 | NNW 5 | — | SSE 3 | S 3 | S 3 | S 4 | SW 3 | N 3 | NNE 4 | NE 4 | NE 4 | ENE 4 | — | SE 5 | SSE 4 |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 10 | 3 | 11 | 15 | 19 | — | 3 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 2 | — | 11 | 22 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 827 | 2582 | 275 | 239 | 430 | 94 | 438 | 1056 | 393 | 1275 | 2124 | 95 | 84 | 84 | 70 | 170 | 557 | 327 | 600 | 1076 | 239 |
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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