Surf Forecasts:
Nags Head Pier surf forecast from 10 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 11 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 9s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 15 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s period, NE swell with 88 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 11 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 9s 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 Friday (Sep 11) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 3s 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 1.1m 6s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 10) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Fri 11th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Fri 11th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Tue 15th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Nags Head Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let's talk about what's on offer for the Outer Banks, specifically at Nags Head Pier.
The next couple of weeks are looking pretty flat and quiet for the most part, with a real lack of decent swell. The water is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting at 80°, so at least the wait will be comfortable.
We've got a long stretch of nothing much. From now through to the 20th of September, the surf is basically poor. We’re talking tiny, weak waves with a combined energy that barely gets into double digits (48), and the wind is all over the place – onshore, cross-onshore, choppy. It’s a write-off. There’s a small window on the morning of the 13th where the wind goes light offshore and the swell ticks up a little, but with only 2ft from the ESE, it’s barely a ripple. It won't be worth the paddle.
Then things get a bit more interesting. Around the 21st of September, the swell starts to build, but the wind is still a mess. By the 22nd, we’re seeing 6ft to 7ft of NE swell, but with a strong cross-onshore breeze, it’s going to be a messy, lumpy beast. The combined energy jumps to 342, but it’s not a pretty picture for a paddleboard.
The real standout, the one to circle on your calendar, is Thursday the 24th of September. The swell is going to be a solid 8ft from the east, with a combined energy of 1006. That’s some serious power. But the real magic is the wind: it goes light offshore, then drops to nearly nothing in the afternoon. We’re talking clean, glassy conditions. This is a setup for experienced surfers only – that size is too much for beginners. The period is 8 seconds, so it’s a short-period windswell, but with that offshore wind and the pier structure, Nags Head Pier could start to throw some proper walls. The 25th also looks promising with a big 10ft ESE swell, but the wind picks up a bit, so the 24th is the clear winner. It’s a long way out, so keep an eye on it, but that’s the best chance we’ve got.
So, in short: a whole lot of nothing until the 22nd, then a messy, powerful swell, and finally a potential gem on the 24th for the experienced crew. Keep the faith.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 29°C on Thu afternoon, min 23°C on Thu morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Thu night, calm by Fri afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 31°C on Sun night, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 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 9 | S 4 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 32 | 35 | 14 | 18 | 28 | 27 | 32 | 35 | 37 | 61 | 58 | 47 | 46 | 32 | 31 | 26 | 47 | 85 | 77 | 58 | 43 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross |
High Tide | 7:49PM1.22m | 8:11AM1.22m | 8:35PM1.18m | 8:55AM1.26m | 9:18PM1.13m | 9:37AM1.27m | 9:58PM1.07m | 10:19AM1.25m | 10:38PM1.00m | 11:00AM1.20m | 11:18PM0.94m | 11:43AM1.15m | 00:00AM0.88m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:34PM0.04m | 2:00AM0.07m | 2:25PM0.03m | 2:41AM0.06m | 3:13PM0.04m | 3:19AM0.08m | 3:58PM0.08m | 3:57AM0.11m | 4:42PM0.13m | 4:35AM0.15m | 5:25PM0.19m | 5:13AM0.20m | 6:10PM0.25m | ||||||||
 | |  | |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — |
 | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:14 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:10 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 29 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 30 | 31 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 |
Feels °C | 26 | 29 | 25 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 32 | 33 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | NE 5 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 |
| kJ | 32 | 16 | 14 | 18 | 28 | 27 | 32 | 35 | 14 | 61 | 58 | 47 | 46 | 32 | 31 | 26 | 16 | 85 | 77 | 58 | 43 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 11 | NNE 5 | NE 5 | ESE 10 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | S 4 | ENE 5 | S 5 | E 15 | E 15 | E 15 | ESE 9 | E 14 | E 14 | E 13 |
| kJ | 8 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 2 | 6 | 37 | 11 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | — | S 5 | E 8 | — | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | S 3 | E 8 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | — | E 15 | E 15 | — | E 14 | E 13 | — | E 13 |
| kJ | 8 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | — | 4 | 4 | — | 4 | 3 | — | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 3 | S 4 | SSW 4 | WSW 3 | — | — | — | — | S 3 | — | S 2 | SW 3 | — | NE 5 | ENE 3 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 5 | 35 | 31 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | — | 4 | 6 | 24 | 47 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 283 | 275 | 94 | 43 | 552 | 43 | 1077 | 84 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 84 | 174 | 827 | 2217 | 1453 | 289 | 1998 | 17 |
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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