Surf Forecasts:
Nags Head Pier surf forecast from 14 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 6s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period, SE swell with 105 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 6s period with E 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 Wednesday (Jul 15) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 6s. 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 0.9m 8s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Nags Head Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Yo, Rusty here. Lookin' at the 16‑day picture for Nags Head Pier, it’s pretty grim. The whole stretch starts off with a big fat zero. We’re talkin’ days of tiny, choppy, cross‑onshore junk. It’s not until July 23rd that we finally see something even remotely rideable, and even then it’s only “surfable but very ordinary” for a few hours. After that it’s back to poor conditions until another brief window on July 27th morning. No real standouts in this run – just two short moments where you might get a few lackluster waves if you’re desperate.
July 14 (Tuesday): Morning some clouds, a 12 mph cross‑on from the ENE, and a weak 3.3 ft swell from the east at 6 seconds. Combined energy only 116 – weak. Afternoon is a bit smaller at 2.3 ft but still cross‑on and choppy. Hard pass.
July 15 (Wednesday): Morning goes glassy clean with a light offshore from the WNW, but the swell is a measly 1.3 ft at 9 seconds (energy 39). Afternoon gets a cross‑
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Thu afternoon, min 23°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Sun afternoon, min 26°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, strong winds from the SSW by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Mon 20 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 6 | E 6 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | S 4 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | SE 8 | NNE 4 | SE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 112 | 68 | 39 | 19 | 25 | 15 | 12 | 19 | 11 | 6 | 13 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 102 | 7 | 55 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:52AM1.04m | 8:26PM1.42m | 8:50AM1.07m | 9:21PM1.38m | 9:46AM1.11m | 10:14PM1.32m | 10:41AM1.13m | 11:04PM1.24m | 11:33AM1.14m | 11:52PM1.14m | 12:24PM1.14m | 00:39AM1.05m | 1:13PM1.13m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:01AM0.06m | 1:51PM-0.01m | 2:56AM0.04m | 2:51PM-0.00m | 3:47AM0.04m | 3:49PM0.02m | 4:36AM0.05m | 4:46PM0.07m | 5:22AM0.07m | 5:41PM0.12m | 6:06AM0.11m | 6:36PM0.18m | 6:49AM0.15m | 7:29PM0.24m | |||||||
 | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |  | |
 | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — |
 | 8:20 | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:17 | — | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:15 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | 9 |
Temp °C | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 31 | 28 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 30 | 25 | 26 |
Feels °C | 24 | 24 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 26 | 32 | 35 | 30 | 28 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 5 | E 6 | ESE 9 | E 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | NNE 4 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 9 | SSE 7 | E 13 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 |
| kJ | 16 | 16 | 14 | 19 | 25 | 7 | 7 | 19 | 11 | 6 | 13 | 13 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 57 | 3 | 102 | 72 | 55 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 6 | SE 6 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | — | E 15 | E 6 | S 3 | SE 4 | ESE 8 | NNE 4 | E 9 | E 13 | E 13 | E 8 | SE 5 | E 12 | E 12 |
| kJ | — | 32 | 16 | 11 | 8 | 15 | 12 | — | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | ESE 9 | ENE 6 | SE 6 | E 16 | E 16 | E 15 | E 15 | — | E 14 | E 10 | E 10 | — | E 13 | E 8 | — | — | — | E 11 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 16 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | — | 4 | 2 | 2 | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 6 | — | — | — | SW 3 | WSW 3 | S 3 | S 4 | WSW 3 | — | SSE 4 | S 3 | S 4 | S 5 | SW 4 | S 8 | SW 4 | NNE 4 | NNE 4 |
| kJ | 112 | 68 | 39 | — | — | — | 5 | 1 | 4 | 10 | 1 | — | 1 | 4 | 13 | 60 | 16 | 149 | 42 | 7 | 9 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 174 | 217 | 1453 | 17 | 43 | 640 | 605 | 605 | 465 | 592 | 1060 | 1285 | 682 | 1275 | 2582 | 305 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 17 | 335 |
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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