Surf Forecasts:
Nags Head Pier surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 23 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 8s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 29 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s period, SE swell with 107 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 23 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 8s 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 Thursday (Jul 23) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m 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 0.9m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 4s period and expected on Monday (Jul 27) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Wed 29th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Nags Head Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, this time in feet and miles. Grab a coffee, 'cause the news ain't great.
For Nags Head Pier, the next 16 days are a total snoozer. This spot is consistent, but the swell is tiny and the wind is all over the place. No standout session, no real reason to rush out.
Starting Thursday July 23, we've got a risk of thunderstorms, a 1ft SE swell with a short 8-second period, and cross-off wind. Not worth it. The afternoon goes glassy with a 2ft SE swell, but still poor. Through the weekend the wind is cross-on or cross-shore, swell stays under 2ft, and the combined energy is weak – mostly in the 70s and 80s, except Saturday afternoon hits 149 (moderate) but the swell is only 2ft and the wind is cross. No good.
Monday July 27 morning gives us a glassy dawn with a 2ft ESE swell, and the wave comment says "surfable waves but very ordinary conditions" – that's the best we've got. Water temp is about 80°F, right on average for the season. Tuesday July 28 morning has clean offshore wind (WSW 9 mph) but only 1ft of swell. Wednesday July 29 morning is also offshore but a pathetic 0.7ft. There's a tiny window on Monday August 3 morning with a 2ft SE swell, offshore wind, and clean conditions – but the combined energy is only 73, and the period is 9 seconds. Still ordinary.
The rest of the run is tiny slop, short periods, and messy wind. The swell never gets above 4ft (that's on Thursday August 6 afternoon, but it's a 4-second windswell from the south, and the wind is cross-off, so it's ugly). Even that one only scores a 1 out of 10. For a break that's exposed to NE swell, we're getting nothing from that direction. Tough.
The break is consistent, so the surf will eventually come back, but not in this 16-day window. If you're itching, maybe dawn patrol on Monday July 27 or Monday August 3, but keep your hopes low. Otherwise, find something else to do.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 108mm), heaviest during Sat morning. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 22°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Tue night. Warm (max 29°C on Tue night, min 23°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SSE 5 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | S 4 | NNE 4 | E 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 17 | 31 | 33 | 38 | 35 | 22 | 37 | 60 | 49 | 49 | 48 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 20 | 21 | 33 | 14 | 7 | 80 | 102 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 3:40PM1.08m | 3:47AM0.82m | 4:30PM1.08m | 4:39AM0.81m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:59AM0.25m | 10:09PM0.35m | 9:46AM0.26m | 11:02PM0.35m | 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 | |||||||
 |  |  | |  |  | |  |  | |  | | | |  | | |  | | |  | |
 | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — |
 | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:09 | — |
mm | 7 | 35 | 18 | 15 | 2 | 6 | 25 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 15 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
Feels °C | 28 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 27 | 26 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 31 | 31 | 27 | 28 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 5 | SE 8 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | NE 5 | SSE 5 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | NE 6 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | NNE 4 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 |
| kJ | 11 | 31 | 13 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 37 | 34 | 34 | 49 | 48 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 20 | 21 | 25 | 14 | 56 | 80 | 102 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | N 4 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | NE 5 | SSW 5 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | E 12 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | SSE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 3 |
| kJ | 17 | 3 | 33 | 38 | 35 | 13 | 5 | 60 | 49 | 3 | 20 | 20 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 4 | S 6 | — | — | — | ESE 8 | — | SW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 6 | — | — | NE 7 | E 4 | NE 6 | NE 6 |
| kJ | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | 22 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SSW 3 | SSE 4 | SSE 5 | SW 3 | NNE 5 | NNE 6 | — | NE 6 | — | — | — | S 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | S 4 | SSE 8 | N 4 | NE 4 | — |
| kJ | — | — | 1 | 11 | 25 | 7 | 35 | 55 | — | 25 | — | — | — | 12 | 29 | 18 | 33 | 50 | 1 | 4 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 334 | 43 | 0 | 43 | 11 | 11 | 43 | 172 | 170 | 172 | 84 | 0 | 0 | 1172 | 94 | 43 | 684 | 94 | 11 | 70 | 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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