
Surf Forecasts:
Nags Head Pier surf forecast from 30 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s period, SE swell with 79 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 0.9m 7s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 7s period and expected on Monday (Aug 03) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Nags Head Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s see what we’ve got for the Outer Banks over the next couple of weeks. I gotta be straight with you – it’s looking pretty bleak for a while. The first real shot at anything rideable doesn’t pop up until the morning of August 9th, so we’ve got a long dry spell of over a week to sit through before we even get a whisper of a wave.
The only spot on the menu during this whole window is Nags Head Pier (North Carolina). Even when the swell shows up, it’s all very small and weak. Through to the end of the first week of August, we’re dealing with tiny dribbles under 1 foot, mostly from the SE, with periods under 10 seconds – wind is often cross-off or cross-shore, but the wave energy is pathetic, with combined energy values barely reaching double digits. The water is sitting at 77°, which is about 3° cooler than normal for this time of year – so a bit nippy for a summer paddle.
Now, on the morning of Sunday, August 9th, we finally see a pulse. The swell pops up to 3 feet from the NNE, a short-period 5 second windswell. The combined energy jumps to (51), which is still weak, but at least it’s something. The wind is a gentle cross-off from the SW and conditions are clean. The trouble is, the swell direction (NNE) is not what this break loves – it wants it from the NE – and with that low period, it’s going to be a short, fat wave. Not what I’d call a standout, but it’s the only thing on the board all period. After that morning, the afternoon turns cross-shore and choppy, so the window is tight. It’s a lousy run, but for die-hards, that Sunday morning might be worth a look-in for a knee-high grovel.
After that, it’s back to tiny, weak conditions through the second week. The combined energy for the rest of the window stays mostly in the teens and twenties – forgettable stuff. There’s a slight uptick on the 13th of August with a 4-foot ENE swell and combined energy hitting (100), but the wind is onshore and messy, so it’s blown-out. That setup would actually be more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
So, the long and short of it: benchmark the 9th of August morning as your only real chance. It’s not much, but it’s all we’ve got. Forecasts can change, and it doesn’t tend to stay this dead for long around here, so keep checking.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sat afternoon, min 23°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 45mm), heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 28°C on Sun afternoon, min 25°C on Sun morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSE on Sun morning, strong winds from the SSW by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | |||||||||||||||
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 | ESE 9 | SE 8 | E 9 | SE 8 | NE 6 | NE 6 | SE 6 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 8 | NE 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
28 | 8 | 20 | 7 | 45 | 8 | 7 | 13 | 15 | 44 | 57 | 1 | 69 | 38 | 36 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 18 | 12 | 13 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:40AM0.96m | 9:01PM1.17m | 9:22AM1.01m | 9:40PM1.16m | 10:03AM1.06m | 10:19PM1.14m | 10:45AM1.10m | 11:00PM1.11m | 11:29AM1.15m | 11:43PM1.07m | 12:16PM1.18m | 00:31AM1.03m | 1:08PM1.21m | 1:23AM0.99m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:38PM0.18m | 3:23AM0.18m | 3:22PM0.17m | 3:58AM0.15m | 4:07PM0.17m | 4:34AM0.13m | 4:52PM0.17m | 5:12AM0.12m | 5:41PM0.17m | 5:53AM0.11m | 6:33PM0.18m | 6:38AM0.11m | 7:30PM0.19m | ||||||||
6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | |
— | 8:08 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:05 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:02 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | — | 13 | 9 | 12 | 7 | 3 | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 29 | 27 |
Feels °C | 24 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 27 | 25 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 29 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | NE 6 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 |
28 | 14 | 20 | 16 | 45 | 14 | 6 | 13 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 69 | 38 | 36 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 18 | 12 | 13 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | NNE 4 | N 5 | E 9 | NE 6 | NE 6 | SE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | — | NE 5 | E 6 | NNE 4 | ESE 8 | NE 4 | E 8 | E 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 |
1 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | ESE 9 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | E 9 | ESE 8 | NE 6 | NE 6 | — | — | — | — | E 13 | E 13 | — | E 8 | E 12 | E 9 | — | E 13 |
1 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 4 | — | 1 | 3 | 2 | — | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 6 | SE 3 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SSE 7 | SW 3 | S 4 | SW 3 | N 4 | — | — | — | — | — |
5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 6 | 44 | 57 | 90 | 1 | 16 | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 174 | 84 | 174 | 43 | 654 | 43 | 654 | 684 | 877 | 1073 | 855 | 838 | 827 | 289 | 289 | 434 | 752 | 827 | 859 | 1734 | 855 |
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











