Surf Forecasts:
Nags Head Pier surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period, ENE swell with 226 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 18 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s 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 Friday (Sep 18) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 13s. 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 1.4m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 20) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Nags Head Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let me tell you how things are shaping up for Nags Head Pier.
Right now, we're in a pretty flat spell. The first week or so is honestly a bit of a write-off for any decent paddle surfing. We've got a long stretch of poor conditions with messy winds and small, weak swell. It’s not looking good at all for the next several days. The real hope is a long way off.
There’s a bit of a tease on the morning of the 22nd of September. The wind will be dead calm—glassy—and we’ll see a jump in the swell to 6ft from the NE. The combined energy reading (485) shows moderate energy coming in, and for a moment, it’s looking like it could be good. But that glass is short-lived; by the afternoon the wind swings onshore and it all falls apart again.
The real standout, and the one I’d circle on your calendar, is the morning of the 26th of September. We’ve got a solid 7ft of swell coming from the ENE with a light cross-offshore breeze from the SSW. The combined energy is strong at 555, and the report says it should be very good surf conditions. That’s the morning to be in the water. The afternoon gets a bit lumpy as the wind picks up, so get your session in early.
The following morning, the 27th of September, is also a strong contender. We’re looking at 8ft from the ENE with a light cross-offshore breeze from the NNW and the combined energy is pumping at 897. That’s a serious amount of power, but at that size, this is for experienced surfers only. It’ll be too much for beginners.
Water temp is sitting at 80°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. So you won’t need a thick suit.
Honestly, aside from those two mornings at the end of the month, there’s not much to get excited about. It’s a long wait, but those windows look promising.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Mon morning, min 22°C on Tue morning). Mainly strong winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sat afternoon, min 23°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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 | NNE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 12 | ENE 6 | E 11 | ESE 8 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 32 | 91 | 108 | 136 | 150 | 226 | 167 | 163 | 117 | 137 | 104 | 88 | 62 | 34 | 24 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 38 | 37 | 15 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:19AM1.25m | 10:38PM1.00m | 11:00AM1.20m | 11:18PM0.94m | 11:43AM1.15m | 00:00AM0.88m | 12:28PM1.09m | 00:46AM0.83m | 1:18PM1.05m | 1:39AM0.80m | 2:14PM1.01m | 2:39AM0.79m | 3:13PM1.00m | 3:42AM0.82m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:42PM0.13m | 4:35AM0.15m | 5:25PM0.19m | 5:13AM0.20m | 6:10PM0.25m | 5:54AM0.25m | 6:59PM0.31m | 6:40AM0.30m | 7:52PM0.35m | 7:33AM0.33m | 8:50PM0.37m | 8:34AM0.35m | 9:48PM0.36m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — |
 | — | 7:10 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:02 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 26 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 30 | 27 |
Feels °C | 29 | 24 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 28 | 31 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 15 | E 14 | E 14 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ESE 8 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 9 |
| kJ | 32 | 32 | 26 | 16 | 4 | 4 | 14 | 163 | 117 | 137 | 104 | 88 | 62 | 34 | 22 | 13 | 8 | 12 | 38 | 37 | 15 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 15 | E 15 | — | — | — | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | ESE 9 | E 11 | E 7 | E 7 | E 11 |
| kJ | — | — | 4 | 4 | — | — | — | 4 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 25 | 24 | 11 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 9 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 11 | ENE 6 | — | — | E 7 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 3 | — | — | 4 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 2 | NNE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 2 | — | SSE 2 | SSW 3 | SW 3 | S 3 | SSW 4 |
| kJ | 1 | 91 | 108 | 136 | 150 | 226 | 167 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 22 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 43 | 245 | 369 | 1283 | 1073 | 1073 | 1073 | 1073 | 172 | 170 | 84 | 0 | 0 | 605 | 0 | 50 | 1081 | 842 | 0 | 17 | 539 |
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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