Nags Head Pier Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.97° N 75.63° W

Nags Head Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 16 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Nags Head Pier sea temperature is
26.5°C
1.5° 

Nags Head Pier surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Nags Head Pier surf forecast from 17 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 6s period, ENE swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 23 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 9s period, ENE swell with 689 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 17 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 6s period with ENE 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 (Sep 17) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Nags Head Pier in the next 16 days are 2.2m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 23) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Friday (Sep 18) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (EDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11AM (Thu 17th Sep)2ft (0.6m) 6s
Best Surf11AM (Thu 17th Sep)2ft (0.6m) 6s
Most Powerful 5PM (Wed 23rd Sep)7ft (2.2m) 9s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Nags Head Pier over the next 16 days.


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Fri afternoon, min 21°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Tue morning. Warm (max 26°C on Sun afternoon, min 23°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the ENE on Mon afternoon, strong winds from the NE by Tue afternoon).

Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
Monday
21
Tuesday
22
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
ENE
6
0.6
ENE
6
0.6
ENE
7
0.5
ENE
8
0.4
ENE
7
0.5
E
7
0.6
NE
7
1.1
NE
5
1.2
ENE
6
1.3
E
8
1.5
E
8
1.2
E
7
0.8
ESE
8
0.8
E
8
0.7
E
8
1.2
NE
6
1.6
ENE
7
1.7
ENE
7
2
ENE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
43
29
43
32
21
26
36
49
100
191
259
155
81
84
63
98
236
271
489
Wind (km/h)
5
ENE
5
E
15
SE
20
SSW
10
WSW
10
SE
15
ENE
25
ENE
25
ENE
20
SE
15
SE
25
SSE
20
SW
15
W
15
ENE
25
NE
40
NE
45
NE
40
ENE
Wind State
on
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
00:00AM0.88m
12:28PM1.09m
00:46AM0.83m
1:18PM1.05m
1:39AM0.80m
2:14PM1.01m
2:39AM0.79m
3:13PM1.00m
3:42AM0.82m
4:10PM1.01m
4:40AM0.87m
5:03PM1.04m
Low Tide
5:54AM0.25m
6:59PM0.31m
6:40AM0.30m
7:52PM0.35m
7:33AM0.33m
8:50PM0.37m
8:34AM0.35m
9:48PM0.36m
9:38AM0.34m
10:41PM0.32m
10:38AM0.30m
11:27PM0.27m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
clear
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
mod rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:46
6:47
6:47
6:48
6:48
6:50
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:07
7:07
7:05
7:04
7:02
7:00
7:00
 mm
1
2
3
4
2
8
Temp °C
22
22
24
24
25
26
26
24
24
25
25
26
25
25
25
24
24
23
23
Feels °C
23
23
23
23
26
28
28
23
22
25
25
26
26
27
28
25
22
19
18
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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