Surf Forecasts:
Nags Head Pier surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period, SE swell with 138 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 1.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 8PM. 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 (Jul 19) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Nags Head Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Well, folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a straight-up look at what the next couple of weeks are shaping up like for the Outer Banks. I’ve got to be honest with you—this is a tough one. We’re looking at a long, dry spell with no real quality surf on the cards. The whole 16-day window is a bust for anything you’d call a proper session. The first sign of any rideable wave energy doesn’t even show up until way down the line, and even then, it’s not pretty.
Forget the next week. From now, through the rest of July, it’s flat, tiny, and messy. We’ve got nothing but small, weak swells—barely a ripple—with cross-shore and onshore winds messing up what little is there. The combined energy readings are laughable, often in the teens or low tens, which is about as weak as it gets. You won’t want to paddle out unless you’re just floating.
A little blip pops up on Wednesday the 23rd of July out at Nags Head Pier. The swell picks up to about 4ft out of the NE, which bumps the combined energy up to 132 (moderate). But here’s the kicker—the wind is cross-onshore, 12 mph, making it choppy and lumpy. The period is a short 5 seconds, so it’ll be a bumpy, weak mess. Not worth dragging your board out for anything but frustration.
The only real change comes toward the very end. On Sunday the 26th of July in the morning, the wind goes dead calm—glassy, flat as a pancake. The swell is a pathetic 2ft but the glassy conditions are a tease. On Tuesday the 28th of July morning, we get a light offshore drift out of the SW with a little 1ft swell. Clean conditions, but there’s barely a wave to ride. The combined energy is only 22. It’s a skimboard day, not a surf day.
Nothing here is a standout. The whole window is a write-off for decent waves. If you’re a local, you know this kind of run happens. Stay patient, keep an eye on the charts, and wait for the next system to spin up. Forecasts can change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Fri afternoon, min 24°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Fri morning, strong winds from the SW by Sat night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 30mm), heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 31°C on Sun afternoon, min 24°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NE on Sun night, strong winds from the SSW by Tue afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | S 4 | E 13 | E 13 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 8 | NE 5 | SE 8 | NE 5 | S 4 | NE 5 | N 3 | NNE 5 | NE 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 6 | 18 | 3 | 3 | 71 | 112 | 55 | 38 | 48 | 8 | 43 | 1 | 1 | 77 | 84 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 9:46AM1.11m | 10:14PM1.32m | 10:41AM1.13m | 11:04PM1.24m | 11:33AM1.14m | 11:52PM1.14m | 12:24PM1.14m | 00:39AM1.05m | 1:13PM1.13m | 1:24AM0.97m | 2:02PM1.11m | 2:10AM0.90m | 2:51PM1.09m | 2:58AM0.85m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:49PM0.02m | 4:36AM0.05m | 4:46PM0.07m | 5:22AM0.07m | 5:41PM0.12m | 6:06AM0.11m | 6:36PM0.18m | 6:49AM0.15m | 7:29PM0.24m | 7:31AM0.19m | 8:22PM0.29m | 8:14AM0.22m | 9:15PM0.33m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | |  |  |  | | |  | | | | | | |
 | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — |
 | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:17 | — | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 13 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 11 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 29 | 27 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 31 | 29 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 23 | 23 | 23 |
Feels °C | 29 | 29 | 27 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 32 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 18 | 17 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 13 | E 13 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 7 | NE 5 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 |
| kJ | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 71 | 112 | 55 | 31 | 48 | 32 | 3 | 74 | 60 | 33 | 44 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | E 5 | E 6 | S 3 | E 14 | N 4 | NNE 4 | E 13 | E 9 | E 8 | — | — | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | NE 5 | — | NE 5 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | S 7 |
| kJ | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 8 | — | 1 | 11 | 15 | 15 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 16 | E 15 | E 15 | E 14 | — | E 14 | E 13 | E 9 | E 9 | — | — | — | — | E 10 | E 12 | E 12 | E 10 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | — | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 2 | S 2 | SSW 4 | — | — | SSW 3 | S 3 | S 4 | SSW 5 | S 8 | SSE 8 | — | NE 4 | NE 5 | NE 5 | SSW 2 | S 4 | SSW 5 | N 3 | NNE 5 | NE 5 |
| kJ | 1 | 2 | 10 | — | — | 3 | 5 | 18 | 80 | 176 | 239 | — | 27 | 38 | 23 | 1 | 43 | 91 | 1 | 77 | 84 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1183 | 1060 | 1275 | 1275 | 1275 | 1074 | 1283 | 309 | 1862 | 94 | 17 | 5 | 43 | 684 | 17 | 493 | 309 | 43 | 334 | 189 | 170 |
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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