Surf Forecasts:
Nags Head Pier surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 6s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 9s period, SE swell with 50 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 6s period with S 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 (Aug 13) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 5s is also forecast. 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 9s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Nags Head Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, checkin' in from the coast. Let's have a look at what's on the table for the Outer Banks over the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, it's a tough stretch ahead. The first recommendation doesn't come 'til Monday the 17th, so we're lookin' at a solid six-day gap right off the bat with nothin' worth paddlin' out for. Lot of tiny, wind-affected dribble before that.
The first real chance to get wet comes Monday morning, the 17th, at Nags Head Pier. It's a beach/jetty setup, and we've got a westerly offshore wind blowin' at 12 mph, which should keep things clean. The swell is a tiny 2 ft from the SE with a period of 9 seconds, so it's weak, but it's at least surfable. The water temp is a touch warmer than normal at 83°. The combined energy is just 43 (weak), so don't expect much push. But if you're desperate, it's an option.
After that, the pattern doesn't really improve. The best-looking window comes way out on Wednesday the 19th. The swell picks up to 3 ft from the ESE, with a period of 12 seconds – that's a bit of groundswell energy. The combined energy climbs to 195 (moderate), which is the most we'll see. But here's the kicker: the wind is onshore from the ENE at 12 mph. That'll chop it up, and with the break bein' a beach/jetty, it's not gonna be pretty. The long period might make it a bit wonky for a beach break too. Honestly, this setup looks more interestin' for kite surfers than paddle surfers.
The rest of the fortnight is a lot of the same story: small swell, poor winds, or both. There's a few glimpses of clean conditions, like Saturday morning the 22nd with a light offshore from the SW, but the swell is a measly 2 ft from the ESE. Nothin' to get excited about.
So, bottom line? There are no true standouts in this 16-day window. The consistent pattern here is small, weak swell. If you're determined, Monday the 17th morning is your best bet for a clean-ish paddle, but keep expectations low. The forecasts can change, but for now, it's a tough run.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 31°C on Tue afternoon, min 23°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Tue night, light winds from the SW by Thu afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Fri morning, min 24°C on Fri afternoon). Winds increasing (calm on Sat night, fresh winds from the SW by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | N 5 | NNE 5 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 10 | SE 6 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | E 6 | ENE 5 | SE 8 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 18 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 19 | 43 | 32 | 32 | 17 | 9 | 11 | 19 | 32 | 21 | 30 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:17PM1.34m | 7:40AM1.09m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:44PM0.03m | 1:42AM0.08m | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | |  |  |  | |  | | | |  | | | | | |  | |
 | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — |
 | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:50 | — |
mm | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | — | 2 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 7 | 6 |
Temp °C | 27 | 31 | 30 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 28 | 32 | 31 | 25 | 28 | 31 | 29 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 23 | 29 | 32 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 6 | SE 6 | S 4 | ESE 8 | N 5 | NNE 5 | NNE 6 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SE 7 | SE 8 | NE 6 | E 6 | ENE 5 | NE 5 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | S 6 |
| kJ | 4 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 18 | 9 | 3 | 10 | 6 | 12 | 19 | 27 | 15 | 32 | 17 | 9 | 7 | 19 | 32 | 21 | 17 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | E 8 | ESE 8 | SSE 3 | ESE 8 | NE 5 | ESE 8 | E 10 | E 12 | E 12 | SE 4 | SSE 7 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | SE 8 | NNE 5 | S 6 | E 7 | ESE 9 |
| kJ | 8 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 30 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | S 6 | E 8 | ESE 8 | E 10 | ESE 8 | E 13 | SE 8 | NE 6 | — | E 12 | ESE 9 | SSE 6 | ESE 8 | E 5 | — | E 6 | — | E 8 |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 2 | — | 3 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 2 | — | 1 | — | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 2 | — | W 3 | NW 4 | — | — | SSE 3 | SW 3 | S 3 | WSW 2 | — | NE 5 | NE 6 | — | — | — | SSE 2 | SSW 4 | SW 4 | S 4 | SW 3 |
| kJ | 1 | — | 5 | 12 | — | — | 7 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | 43 | 32 | — | — | — | 1 | 28 | 17 | 13 | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2827 | 2029 | 239 | 1891 | 2883 | 1275 | 369 | 423 | 516 | 43 | 84 | 170 | 1409 | 1417 | 435 | 651 | 1931 | 298 | 217 | 369 | 239 |
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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