Surf Forecasts:
Nags Head Pier surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 9s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 9s period, ESE swell with 64 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 9s 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 4s is also forecast. 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 0.6m 9s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 2PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Nags Head Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s get real about the Outer Banks.
To be honest, looking at the whole 16-day window, Nags Head Pier is not doing us any favours. The water is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting at 84°F, but that’s about the only thing that’s appealing. The combined swell energy is weak, barely cracking 90 on the best day, and most of the time it’s a lot lower. The swell is tiny, the period is short, and the wind is mostly wrong. It’s a tough stretch.
We’ve got a long gap of poor surf starting right now. From Friday, August 21st, all the way through to Thursday, August 27th, it’s flat, choppy, or just plain messy. There’s nothing to even think about.
The first real flicker of hope comes on Friday, August 28th, in the morning. We get a bit of a clean-up with a moderate offshore wind from the WNW, and the swell bumps up to 2ft from the ESE with a 9-second period. The combined energy is still weak at 90. The waves will be surfable, but very ordinary.
Then it gets quiet again for a few days. The next moment that’s worth a mention is Wednesday, September 2nd. The morning offers a moderate offshore wind from the WSW, with 2ft of ESE swell at 10 seconds. The combined energy is 55, which is still weak. The afternoon looks cleaner with a gentle breeze and cross-off wind, but it’s the same tiny swell. It’s surfable, but forgettable.
Nothing else in the rest of the forecast even qualifies as a standout. The swell stays small, the period is short, and the wind is generally onshore or cross-shore. It’s a quiet period for the Outer Banks.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 30°C on Sun night, min 24°C on Fri afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 30°C on Mon afternoon, min 24°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | NE 7 | E 8 | E 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | ESE 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 15 | 16 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 30 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 32 | 24 | 54 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:57PM1.04m | 3:10AM0.80m | 3:53PM1.03m | 4:09AM0.80m | 4:49PM1.05m | 5:06AM0.83m | 5:40PM1.07m | 5:59AM0.88m | 6:27PM1.10m | 6:46AM0.94m | 7:11PM1.13m | 7:30AM1.01m | 7:52PM1.15m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:14AM0.29m | 9:29PM0.37m | 9:08AM0.31m | 10:27PM0.37m | 10:06AM0.30m | 11:21PM0.34m | 11:03AM0.28m | 00:09AM0.30m | 11:57AM0.25m | 00:52AM0.26m | 12:47PM0.20m | 1:31AM0.21m | 1:34PM0.16m | 2:08AM0.16m | |||||||
 | |  |  | |  |  | |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — |
 | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:37 | — |
mm | 1 | 1 | 9 | — | 10 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 |
Temp °C | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
Feels °C | 28 | 26 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 3 | ESE 9 | NNE 6 | NE 7 | E 8 | SSE 6 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 |
| kJ | 15 | 16 | 4 | 25 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 4 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 30 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 32 | 24 | 15 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 4 | E 7 | NE 4 | NE 6 | ESE 8 | E 8 | NE 6 | E 12 | SSE 6 | SSE 5 | N 4 | E 7 | E 7 | SE 4 | N 4 | E 16 | E 15 | E 14 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 |
| kJ | 1 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 24 | 11 | 6 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 54 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | SE 4 | ESE 9 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | SSE 5 | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | SSE 5 | — | E 7 | E 6 | E 7 | E 16 | NE 6 | NE 6 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 26 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 13 | 12 | 11 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | — | — | S 2 | S 4 | WSW 3 | — | WNW 2 | NNW 4 | — | SSE 2 | — | N 3 | SSE 4 | E 3 | E 4 | E 5 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 7 | 9 | — | — | 1 | 14 | 3 | — | 1 | 2 | — | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 16 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1172 | 1645 | 84 | 172 | 95 | 239 | 43 | 43 | 50 | 254 | 493 | 430 | 43 | 43 | 605 | 871 | 1073 | 830 | 84 | 84 | 11 |
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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