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, 5PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 11s period, SE swell with 75 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 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 5AM.
| 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 | 5PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Oceanic Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s be straight with you: the outlook for Oceanic Pier over the next 16 days is a flat spell with nothing to get excited about. There’s just no decent surf on the cards – the whole window is a write-off for anyone wanting a proper paddle. The water temp is sitting at about 82°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so at least the dip won’t be a shock.
From now through to the end of August, the swell barely gets above 2 ft, and the combined energy of all swells is weak – often just 15 to 75 (weak energy). The swell direction is mostly from the SE, with periods all over the shop, but the waves are tiny and the conditions are poor. The best chance of clean-looking water comes Tuesday morning, the 18th, with a glassy 2 ft SE swell at 12 seconds, but the wave comment says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions” – that’s about as good as it gets. Even then, the combined energy is only 71 (weak), so it’s not really worth suiting up.
There’s a gap of quiet days until we hit the 27th of August, when the swell picks up a bit. On Thursday morning the 27th, the combined energy jumps to 134 (moderate), with a 2 ft SE swell at 12 seconds, but the wind is onshore from the ENE at 6 mph, making it sloppy. By the afternoon, the swell nudges 3 ft from the SE with a period of 11 seconds, and the combined energy hits 213 (moderate wave energy), but the wind is cross-onshore from the NE at 9 mph, and it’s raining with moderate rain. Not a standout.
The 30th of August offers a glimmer: Sunday afternoon, glassy conditions with a 2 ft ESE swell at 8 seconds, combined energy of 69 (weak), and the wave comment says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions.” That’s the only other moment with a score of 1 out of 10, but it’s still tiny and weak.
The bottom line? Oceanic Pier is a beginner-friendly beach/pier setup, consistent but with no real swell to work with. The whole 16-day stretch is a dud. The best advice is to keep an eye on the forecasts – things can change, but right now, there’s nothing for surfers here. If you’re into kite surfing, maybe the stronger cross-off winds on some afternoons might interest you, but for a paddle? Forget it.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 34°C on Mon afternoon, min 26°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 31°C on Thu morning, min 24°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 5 | ENE 4 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
11 | 24 | 28 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 68 | 75 | 48 | 42 | 40 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 14 | 34 | 19 | 15 | 13 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:31AM1.29m | 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 | ||||||||
6:31 | — | — | 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 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 4 | 2 | 11 |
Temp °C | 28 | 29 | 28 | 32 | 34 | 30 | 32 | 34 | 31 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 28 |
Feels °C | 31 | 32 | 31 | 35 | 36 | 32 | 36 | 37 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 35 | 32 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 4 | S 5 | SE 8 | S 5 | S 5 | S 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | E 4 | S 5 |
11 | 24 | 28 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 68 | 75 | 48 | 42 | 40 | 5 | 11 | 17 | 34 | 14 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 13 | 8 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 5 | S 4 | E 5 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | S 5 | S 5 | SSW 5 | S 5 | — | SE 9 | SE 8 | E 6 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | S 5 | ESE 8 |
4 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 7 | 5 | 4 | — | 19 | 17 | 1 | 17 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 8 | 13 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 4 | — | — | — | SE 10 | E 6 | — | — | ENE 4 | — | E 5 | E 4 | — | — | E 15 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 14 | ESE 9 | E 4 |
— | 1 | — | — | — | 4 | 3 | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | 4 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 15 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 4 | E 4 | SSE 3 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | — | SSW 5 | E 3 | — | S 5 | S 4 | SSW 5 | S 5 | — | — | ESE 3 | E 5 | ENE 4 | — | — |
4 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 15 | 29 | — | 13 | 2 | — | 4 | 9 | 24 | 21 | — | — | 3 | 34 | 19 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 594 | 2559 | 1741 | 470 | 624 | 273 | 0 | 648 | 3 | 3 | 853 | 689 | 36 | 1017 | 905 | 277 | 470 | 41 | 261 | 264 | 537 |
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.











