Nags Head Pier surf break

Nags Head Pier surfForecast / Carolina North / USA

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 1 am Monday 18 May 2026 EDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Nags Head Pier surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Nags Head Pier sea temperature is
17.0° C
(Which is 4.1°C colder than average for this time of year)

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 Wednesday (May 20) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 15s. 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 1.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Monday (May 25) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (May 20) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (EDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11AM (Wed 20th May)1.5ft (0.5m) 9s
Best Surf11AM (Wed 20th May)1.5ft (0.5m) 9s
Most Powerful 8AM (Mon 25th May)3.5ft (1.0m) 8s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed afternoon, min 21°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Mon morning, fresh winds from the S by Wed afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 23°C on Thu morning, min 15°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNE on Thu afternoon, calm by Fri night).

Monday
18
Tuesday
19
Wednesday
20
Thursday
21
Friday
22
Saturday
23
Sunday
24
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
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)
0.6
SE
8
0.4
ESE
8
0.5
ESE
9
0.5
ESE
8
0.5
ESE
8
0.5
ESE
9
0.5
ESE
9
0.5
ESE
9
0.6
ESE
9
0.7
SE
9
0.7
ESE
8
1.1
NE
6
0.9
NE
6
0.8
NE
6
0.8
ENE
7
0.7
ENE
7
0.4
ESE
8
0.4
SE
8
0.6
SE
7
0.5
SE
7
0.8
NE
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
40
26
44
41
41
45
45
46
62
79
64
75
47
51
57
38
24
20
33
26
64
Wind (km/h)
10
S
25
S
20
SSW
10
S
30
S
25
SSW
15
SW
30
S
20
SW
5
SW
30
NNE
15
NE
15
NE
20
N
5
NNE
15
NNE
15
ENE
15
E
10
NNW
15
NNE
20
N
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross
on
on
cross-off
cross
cross
High Tide
9:19AM1.04m
9:48PM1.47m
10:16AM1.01m
10:45PM1.40m
11:16AM0.99m
11:43PM1.32m
12:18PM0.99m
00:43AM1.23m
1:22PM1.00m
1:43AM1.14m
2:25PM1.02m
2:41AM1.07m
3:23PM1.06m
3:35AM1.00m
Low Tide
3:12PM-0.01m
4:23AM0.02m
4:09PM0.03m
5:20AM0.06m
5:10PM0.09m
6:18AM0.10m
6:14PM0.15m
7:16AM0.13m
7:22PM0.21m
8:10AM0.15m
8:29PM0.24m
9:02AM0.17m
9:33PM0.26m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:54
5:54
5:52
5:52
5:52
5:50
5:50
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:02
8:04
8:04
8:05
8:06
8:07
8:07
3
1
1
Temp °C
24
25
23
24
25
22
24
26
23
23
21
17
19
20
20
19
21
23
22
23
20
26
24
21
24
23
20
24
24
21
25
21
16
19
21
23
20
21
26
25
25
20
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SE
8
0.4
ESE
8
0.5
ESE
9
0.5
ESE
8
0.5
ESE
8
0.5
ESE
9
0.5
ESE
9
0.5
ESE
9
0.6
ESE
9
0.7
SE
9
0.7
ESE
8
0.5
ESE
8
0.9
NE
6
0.8
NE
6
0.8
ENE
7
0.7
ENE
7
0.4
ENE
6
0.4
SE
8
0.6
SE
7
0.5
SE
7
0.8
NE
7
Energy kJ
40
26
44
41
41
45
45
46
62
79
64
40
47
51
57
38
15
14
33
26
64
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
ENE
8
0.1
NE
8
0.1
E
13
0.1
E
13
0.1
E
13
0.1
E
15
0.1
E
15
0.1
E
15
0.1
E
14
0.1
E
15
0.1
E
14
0.1
E
13
0.5
ESE
8
0.5
ESE
8
0.5
ESE
9
0.4
ESE
9
0.4
ESE
8
0.3
ENE
6
0.2
ENE
6
0.3
NE
7
0.5
SE
7
Energy kJ
6
2
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
40
38
44
32
24
7
3
9
24
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
E
15
0.1
E
14
0.1
E
16
0.1
E
16
0.1
E
16
0.1
E
14
0.1
E
13
0.1
E
13
0.1
E
13
0.1
E
13
0.1
E
13
0.2
ESE
9
0.2
E
9
0.2
E
9
0.1
E
12
Energy kJ
4
4
5
5
5
4
3
3
3
3
3
8
7
7
3
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
W
3
0.6
S
3
0.6
S
4
0.4
S
3
0.7
S
4
0.6
S
4
0.4
SSW
4
0.9
S
4
0.7
SSW
4
0.4
SSW
5
0.5
N
4
1.1
NE
6
0.5
SSE
4
0.6
SSE
5
0.7
SSE
4
0.8
S
4
0.4
SSE
3
Energy kJ
1
8
10
2
12
10
6
27
16
8
7
75
8
23
15
20
3
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
Distance (km)
9
1275
309
9
435
280
0
461
94
0
43
170
84
435
70
84
556
435
0
2124
94
Best forecast wave conditions in North Carolina
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Best forecast wave conditions in United States
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
3
3
3
4
3
1
2
3
1
3
1
2
2
3
1
2
2
1
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
4
4
5
5
5
5
7
5
5
5
4
  • 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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