Surf Forecasts:
Nags Head Pier surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 9s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 12s period, ESE swell with 113 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 9s period with ESE 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 4s. 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 0.6m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) 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 1.1m 5s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Nags Head Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you. The next 16 days at Nags Head Pier are a tough watch. The forecast is a long, drawn-out stretch of tiny, weak, and messy conditions. The water temp is sitting at 82°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least you won’t need a spring suit.
We’re looking at a serious dry spell. The first solid chance of something surfable doesn’t roll in until the early morning of August 23rd. That’s over a week of flat, poor surf. The swell energy is negligible for days, with values like 9, 11, and 16, barely registering. The wind is all over the place, blowing onshore, cross-on, or just plain messy, making the tiny waves a total chop-fest.
Here’s the only bright spot on the horizon. Early on Sunday the 23rd, we finally get a bit of a pulse. Swell from the NE at 3 ft, combined energy of 76 (moderate), with a period of 6 seconds. The wind swings SW at 9 mph, creating a cross-offshore breeze that cleans things up. The commentary says "surfable waves but very ordinary conditions," which is about as excited as we can get. It’s not a standout, but it’s the best we’ve got.
After that, the window slams shut again. The morning of the 26th shows some hope with a 3 ft swell from the ENE and a clean offshore wind from the WSW. But the energy is moderate (109) and the period is short (8 seconds). It’s another "surfable but ordinary" day. The very end of the forecast on the 27th pumps up to 3 ft, but the wind cranks onshore from the NE at 19 mph, making it a total mess. That’s kite-surfing wind, not paddle-surfing waves.
Look, Nags Head Pier is a consistent spot, so this blank run is a bit of a stinker. But forecasts change, and it won’t be this flat forever. For now, give it a miss.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Thu afternoon, min 25°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 59mm), heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 30°C on Mon afternoon, min 23°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Sun night, calm by Mon afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 9 | ESE 4 | ESE 9 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 18 | 16 | 27 | 37 | 22 | 32 | 57 | 107 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | off | on | cross-off | cross | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 8:11PM1.33m | 8:33AM1.15m | 9:01PM1.29m | 9:23AM1.19m | 9:48PM1.23m | 10:11AM1.21m | 10:33PM1.16m | 10:57AM1.21m | 11:16PM1.07m | 11:42AM1.18m | 11:58PM0.99m | 12:27PM1.15m | 00:41AM0.92m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:44PM0.01m | 2:31AM0.05m | 2:40PM0.01m | 3:17AM0.05m | 3:33PM0.02m | 4:00AM0.06m | 4:24PM0.06m | 4:41AM0.08m | 5:13PM0.12m | 5:21AM0.12m | 6:01PM0.18m | 6:01AM0.17m | 6:49PM0.25m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | |  | |  | | | | | |
 | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — |
 | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:49 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | 56 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 27 | 30 | 26 | 24 | 27 | 27 |
Feels °C | 25 | 28 | 30 | 27 | 31 | 29 | 33 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 23 | 30 | 35 | 27 | 27 | 30 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | S 3 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SSE 6 | ESE 9 | NE 4 | NE 5 | NE 5 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 9 | — | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 12 |
| kJ | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 18 | 16 | 27 | 37 | — | 32 | 54 | 107 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 6 | N 3 | — | E 10 | E 10 | ESE 8 | SSE 6 | SSE 5 | E 4 | SSE 6 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | NE 5 | NE 6 | ESE 9 | S 5 | — | E 4 | ESE 13 | — |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 9 | — | 2 | 57 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | S 5 | E 13 | E 13 | ESE 9 | E 12 | SSE 6 | SE 8 | — | — | — | NE 5 | — | — | ESE 14 | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 11 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 20 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 3 | NNW 3 | S 3 | SW 3 | SSW 2 | — | — | NE 3 | NNE 4 | NE 3 | — | SE 3 | SSE 3 | S 4 | S 5 | — | — | ESE 4 | — | ENE 3 | — |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 5 | 3 | 2 | — | 1 | 3 | 14 | 53 | — | — | 22 | — | 1 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2008 | 2217 | 1283 | 389 | 605 | 1862 | 1417 | 2757 | 172 | 336 | 1171 | 913 | 830 | 1059 | 254 | 84 | 254 | 217 | 84 | 25 | 111 |
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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