
Surf Forecasts:
Oceanic Pier surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s period, E swell with 182 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Oceanic Pier this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Oceanic Pier in the next 16 days are 1.2m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) 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 0.8m 5s period and expected on Monday (Sep 14) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Oceanic Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what Oceanic Pier has cooking for the next couple of weeks.
To be straight with you, the first 10 days or so are a bit of a write-off. We’re looking at a long, frustrating gap with nothing worth paddling out for. From the 12th right through to the 20th, it’s all small, weak, and messy. The swell stays tiny, mostly around 1 to 1.5 feet, and the periods are short—this is just wind chop, not any proper groundswell. The combined wave energy is pathetic, mostly sitting in the 20s (25 to 45 range). On top of that, the wind is all over the shop, mostly cross-off or cross-onshore, and on the few glassy mornings the swell is just too small to matter. The water temp is pretty average for this time of year, so no need to worry about a wetsuit or not. Honestly, you’re better off doing something else.
Right around the 21st and 22nd, the ocean wakes up a bit, with swell building to 4.5 to 6.5 feet, and the energy jumps into the high hundreds (193 to 368). But the wind swings onshore and gets fresh, blowing 15 to 22 mph, making for a lumpy, choppy mess. Not what we want for a clean session.
Now, the interesting part comes towards the end of the window. On Thursday the 24th of September, things really start to look up. By the afternoon, we’ve got a solid 10-foot swell rolling in from the ESE, with a period of 9 seconds and the combined energy cranking up to a very strong 1236. The wind goes glassy—that’s a major positive for clean conditions—and the rating is high. This is the standout. That’s a big swell though, over 8 feet, so this one is strictly for experienced surfers. The short period (9 seconds) on a beach/pier setup like Oceanic Pier can make it a bit dumpy and closed out, but with glassy conditions, it’s gonna be a beast of a session for those who know what they’re doing. The wind is variable early, but by afternoon it’s dead calm. That’s the one to circle on the calendar.
The day before, on the 23rd, you’ve got a 7 to 7.5-foot swell with cross-off winds in the morning, so it’s clean and powerful, but the energy is still building (591 to 675). It’s a good warm-up day but not the peak.
After that, into the 25th and 26th, the swell drops back to around 6 to 7 feet, still with some clean windows, especially the morning of the 26th with glassy conditions and decent energy (564). That’s a good option for stronger intermediates, as it’s under 8 feet but still punchy.
So, to sum it up: the first week and a half is a total dud. The only real standout is that Thursday afternoon the 24th—big, clean, and powerful, but only for the experts. The 26th morning also offers a cleaner, slightly smaller option. Don’t get your hopes up for the rest.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Sun night. Warm (max 33°C on Mon afternoon, min 26°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 27°C on Thu afternoon, min 19°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ENE 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
24 | 25 | 38 | 42 | 45 | 41 | 39 | 37 | 38 | 121 | 115 | 75 | 112 | 66 | 83 | 39 | 157 | 92 | 50 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 9:03PM1.40m | 9:31AM1.41m | 9:44PM1.34m | 10:14AM1.40m | 10:23PM1.27m | 10:56AM1.36m | 11:02PM1.20m | 11:38AM1.31m | 11:41PM1.13m | 12:22PM1.26m | 00:23AM1.06m | 1:09PM1.21m | 1:10AM1.02m | ||||||
Low Tide | 3:26AM-0.01m | 3:48PM0.02m | 4:05AM0.02m | 4:32PM0.08m | 4:44AM0.06m | 5:15PM0.15m | 5:23AM0.12m | 5:59PM0.22m | 6:03AM0.18m | 6:45PM0.29m | 6:47AM0.24m | 7:36PM0.35m | |||||||
— | 6:50 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | |
7:23 | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:21 | — | — | 7:19 | — | — | 7:17 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | |
mm | — | 5 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 31 | 28 | 30 | 33 | 26 | 23 | 26 | 25 | 22 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 30 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 33 | 31 | 33 | 36 | 26 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 28 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 5 | SE 9 | S 5 | S 5 | SE 9 | — | — | — | SE 14 | ESE 8 | SE 14 | E 7 | E 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 |
24 | 25 | 38 | 42 | 18 | 41 | 16 | 13 | 38 | — | — | — | 8 | 24 | 7 | 25 | 113 | 92 | 50 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | S 4 | S 5 | — | SE 10 | — | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 5 | — | — | — | — | SE 14 | — | ESE 9 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 13 |
1 | 3 | 7 | — | 45 | — | 39 | 37 | 8 | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | 15 | 7 | 6 | 6 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 14 | — | SE 9 | SE 9 |
— | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | 3 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 4 | — | S 5 | S 4 | — | S 5 | SSW 5 | — | — | ENE 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 8 | — | — |
5 | — | 11 | 9 | — | 18 | 25 | — | — | 121 | 115 | 75 | 112 | 66 | 83 | 39 | 157 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 266 | 1225 | 238 | 277 | 3 | 277 | 42 | 36 | 874 | 547 | 156 | 156 | 46 | 586 | 156 | 36 | 93 | 123 | 36 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Carolina | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Oceanic Pier Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Oceanic Pier provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Oceanic Pier can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Oceanic 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 (Oceanic 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 Oceanic 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.
Oceanic Pier is 13 km (8 miles) from the city of Wilmington. If you plan a vacation in North Carolina, look for hotels and other accommodation in Wilmington. Wilmington has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










