Surf Forecasts:
Nags Head Pier surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 22 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period, SE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 21 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 6s period, S swell with 243 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 22 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period with SE 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 22) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 8s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Nags Head Pier in the next 16 days are 2.0m 6s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Tue 21st Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 6s |
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 – this is a tough one. We’re looking at a full 16-day window for Nags Head Pier, and honestly, it’s a lean stretch. The overall pattern is flat, weak, and plagued by poor wind or choppy conditions. There’s a significant gap of no worthwhile surf for the first two weeks, with only a very brief glimmer right at the very end.
The first recommendation for Nags Head Pier doesn’t show up until Thursday, July 30th. That’s a 15-day gap from the start of the forecast where there’s just nothing to get excited about. The water temp is sitting at 82°, which is about 2° warmer than average for this time of year – a bit of a warm bath, but that’s the only nice thing I can say.
For the morning of Thursday, July 30th, we finally get a bit of a pulse. The swell is tiny, coming in at 1 ft from the ENE at a period of 10 seconds. The combined energy is only 56 (weak), so it’s not a powerhouse. But here’s the kicker – the wind goes glassy, with a light offshore breeze from the SE. That’s a major positive for this spot. It’ll be clean, but the waves are very ordinary. It’s the only time in the entire outlook where the conditions are even remotely surfable. If you’re desperate for a paddle and a few small, clean lines, this is your window. The rest of the day, and the entire period before and after, is a write-off with poor surf conditions, strong onshore winds, or cross-chop.
Bottom line: Keep your expectations in the basement. This is a long, dry spell. The one morning on the 30th might give you a couple of glassy ankle-biters, but don’t plan a trip around it. For most of the time, the setup is so poor that it’d be more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing, but that’s not what we’re here for.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Thu afternoon, min 23°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Sun night. Warm (max 31°C on Sat afternoon, min 24°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Sat afternoon, calm by Mon afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | S 3 | S 4 | E 13 | SE 8 | E 8 | SE 8 | E 12 | E 12 | SE 8 | S 8 | S 6 | SSE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 15 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 7 | 8 | 27 | 3 | 93 | 1 | 138 | 3 | 3 | 78 | 0 | 219 | 0 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on |
High Tide | 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 | 1:24AM0.97m | 2:02PM1.11m | 2:10AM0.90m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 7:31AM0.19m | 8:22PM0.29m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | |  | | |
 | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — |
 | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:17 | — | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 8 | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | 28 |
Temp °C | 24 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 30 | 27 | 27 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 31 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 25 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 32 | 29 |
Feels °C | 26 | 26 | 26 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 26 | 31 | 32 | 24 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 33 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | E 6 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 13 | SE 8 | E 8 | SE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | — | — | SSE 8 |
| kJ | 15 | 7 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 93 | 1 | 138 | 88 | 69 | 78 | — | — | 217 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 6 | ESE 9 | E 6 | E 5 | E 5 | E 15 | — | E 14 | E 14 | E 10 | E 13 | E 9 | E 13 | — | S 4 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 8 | 15 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | — | 4 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | — | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | SE 6 | ESE 5 | — | E 15 | E 6 | E 14 | — | E 10 | E 13 | E 9 | — | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 7 | 5 | 3 | — | 4 | 1 | 4 | — | 2 | 4 | 2 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SW 3 | WSW 3 | S 3 | S 3 | S 3 | S 3 | S 3 | S 3 | S 4 | S 4 | SW 4 | S 8 | WSW 4 | WSW 2 | SSW 3 | SSW 4 | S 8 | S 6 | SW 4 |
| kJ | — | — | 4 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 27 | 53 | 6 | 393 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 52 | 253 | 219 | 18 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 43 | 435 | 605 | 634 | 1060 | 1275 | 1275 | 1283 | 1087 | 1976 | 263 | 217 | 17 | 94 | 43 | 11 | 684 | 684 | 17 | 109 | 94 |
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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