Surf Forecasts:
Oceanic Pier surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 12s period, SE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 11s period, SE swell with 77 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 12s period with SE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Oceanic Pier this week:
The surf forecast for Oceanic Pier over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 12s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Oceanic Pier in the next 16 days are 0.6m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 2PM. 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 5s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Oceanic Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, and I gotta be straight with you – the next 16 days at Oceanic Pier are looking pretty grim. I've scanned the charts, and there's nothing worth paddling out for. The whole run is a flat spell with no real surf to speak of.
From now through the 30th of August, it's a long, quiet stretch. The combined swell energy is barely a whisper, reading mostly in the 20s and 30s (weak energy). We're talking tiny little windswells from the southeast, mostly around 0.7ft to 2ft, and the period is all over the place, from a short 5 seconds to a longer 12 second groundswell, but the size just isn't there to make anything of it.
Tuesday morning the 18th of August is the closest we get to a pulse, with a 2ft, 12-second SE groundswell and the combined energy nudging up to 69 (still weak). It'll be glassy early, so it'll look pretty, but the 'surfable waves but very ordinary conditions' comment says it all. That's a long period swell for a beach/pier setup, and it'll likely just roll through fat and straight. Not worth the effort.
The end of the month sees a slight uptick in energy, with the 28th of August showing a combined energy of 103 to 116 (moderate), but still for a tiny 2ft SE swell. The wind is onshore and chop will be nasty. It's a kite surfer's breeze, not a surfer's wave.
For a spot like this, a blank run like this is just part of the deal sometimes. The water's sitting at a warm 82°F, which is about normal for this time of year, so at least you won't be cold while you're sitting on the beach watching the nothing.
Chin up, mate. Forecasts can always change, but right now? Don't bother waxing up.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 33°C on Mon afternoon, min 25°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 33°C on Fri afternoon, min 23°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SE 8 | SE 8 | E 5 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
24 | 20 | 2 | 21 | 21 | 68 | 75 | 48 | 42 | 54 | 36 | 33 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 16 | 7 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | off |
High Tide | 11:39PM1.22m | 12:18PM1.26m | 00:22AM1.14m | 1:05PM1.22m | 1:06AM1.06m | 1:55PM1.18m | 1:55AM1.00m | 2:48PM1.16m | 2:49AM0.96m | 3:44PM1.16m | 3:46AM0.95m | 4:40PM1.18m | 4:43AM0.97m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:45PM0.08m | 6:03AM0.05m | 6:33PM0.16m | 6:46AM0.11m | 7:23PM0.24m | 7:31AM0.16m | 8:16PM0.30m | 8:22AM0.21m | 9:14PM0.34m | 9:17AM0.23m | 10:13PM0.34m | 10:15AM0.24m | 11:10PM0.32m | |||||||
— | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | |
7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:50 | — | |
mm | 1 | 1 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 5 | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 |
Temp °C | 29 | 28 | 32 | 33 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 31 | 33 | 31 | 23 | 25 | 26 |
Feels °C | 31 | 31 | 35 | 34 | 32 | 37 | 35 | 34 | 31 | 31 | 33 | 36 | 33 | 32 | 34 | 33 | 34 | 25 | 27 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 |
24 | 20 | 39 | 21 | 21 | 68 | 75 | 48 | 42 | 54 | 36 | 33 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 41 | 33 | 24 | 21 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 4 | E 4 | E 5 | E 5 | E 6 | S 5 | — | S 4 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SE 5 | E 6 | E 15 | SE 15 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | ENE 4 | ESE 8 |
2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 11 | — | 6 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 16 | 20 | 6 | 7 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 5 | — | — | — | SE 10 | E 5 | — | — | — | SSE 4 | SSE 4 | E 6 | E 7 | — | SE 15 | E 7 | SE 14 | SE 14 | ESE 9 | SE 13 |
1 | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 8 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 16 | 7 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 3 | SSE 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SW 4 | S 4 | — | ESE 4 | — | ENE 3 | — | SSE 5 | S 5 | S 5 | S 5 | S 6 | ENE 4 | ENE 4 | SW 3 |
4 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 20 | 21 | 10 | — | 4 | — | 1 | — | 8 | 15 | 33 | 52 | 64 | 5 | 7 | 2 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2343 | 334 | 508 | 586 | 36 | 0 | 238 | 3 | 320 | 694 | 550 | 1017 | 853 | 742 | 374 | 993 | 2 | 41 | 93 | 96 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Carolina | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











