Surf Forecasts:
Oceanic Pier surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 5s period, S swell with 49 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 1.0m 5s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Oceanic Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for Oceanic Pier. This is a bit of a tough one, so brace yourselves.
Right off the bat, we've got a long, dry spell. From now through the end of August, the surf is just a no-go. We're talking tiny, weak waves, mostly around 0.7ft to 2ft, with a combined energy that barely gets out of the teens (18 to 61). The wind is messy, too – mostly cross-onshore or cross-off, and the wave comment is flat out calling it "poor surf conditions." It's a real bummer, but it happens. The water temp is sitting at a very warm 83°, which is about normal for this time of year, but you won't be needing a wetsuit for a long paddle.
The first glimmer of hope doesn't come until *Thursday, September 3rd*. That morning, we see a bit of a pulse. The swell picks up to 4ft from the ENE, and the combined energy jumps to a moderate 189. The real kicker is the wind: it's offshore from the W in the morning, and then goes glassy in the afternoon. That's a major positive for clean conditions. The waves are still a bit ordinary, but it's finally surfable. The swell period is short at 8 seconds, so it's a bit of a weak, windswell-feeling wave, but clean.
Then on *Friday, September 4th*, we get the biggest swell of the outlook. The morning sees the swell up to 4ft from the E, with a combined energy of 210 – that's the strongest we've seen. However, the wind swings around to a cross-onshore ENE breeze, which is going to chop it up. The afternoon gets even bigger at 4ft, but the period drops to a weak 6 seconds and the wind turns onshore from the E. It's a real shame, because the size is there, but the conditions are messy.
So, what's the standout? Honestly, there's only one true call here. Oceanic Pier itself is the only break in the game, and it's a beginner-friendly beach/pier set-up. The best bet is Thursday, September 3rd. That morning with the offshore wind and glassy afternoon gives you the cleanest waves of the whole period. It's not a world-beater, but after two weeks of flat nothing, it'll feel like a victory. The swell is a small 4ft, so it's perfect for the beginners this spot is known for, and with the wind cleaning it up, you'll have a fun, small-wave session. The swell direction from the ENE is okay, but it's not the optimum NE direction listed for this spot, so it's a bit of a compromise.
This is a long-range call, so keep your fingers crossed that the wind forecast holds. But for now, that's the one to pencil in.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 31°C on Thu afternoon, min 23°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Tue night. Warm (max 32°C on Sun afternoon, min 23°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 12 | S 6 | ESE 12 | SE 12 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SSE 5 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 22 | 14 | 35 | 13 | 12 | 29 | 27 | 35 | 21 | 13 | 13 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 2:48PM1.16m | 2:49AM0.96m | 3:44PM1.16m | 3:46AM0.95m | 4:40PM1.18m | 4:43AM0.97m | 5:33PM1.21m | 5:37AM1.00m | 6:21PM1.25m | 6:27AM1.05m | 7:05PM1.29m | 7:12AM1.10m | 7:45PM1.32m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:22AM0.21m | 9:14PM0.34m | 9:17AM0.23m | 10:13PM0.34m | 10:15AM0.24m | 11:10PM0.32m | 11:11AM0.22m | 00:03AM0.28m | 12:03PM0.18m | 00:51AM0.23m | 12:51PM0.14m | 1:34AM0.17m | 1:36PM0.11m | 2:14AM0.12m | |||||||
6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | |
— | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | |
mm | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 9 | 4 | 2 | 7 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 1 | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 30 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 28 | 32 | 31 | 28 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 27 |
Feels °C | 33 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 32 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | S 6 | S 6 | ESE 8 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | SSE 5 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | S 5 | SE 9 | S 6 |
17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 50 | 30 | 6 | 24 | 18 | 18 | 10 | 29 | 27 | 22 | 34 | 13 | 60 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 5 | — | E 6 | S 3 | SE 15 | SE 10 | SE 14 | SE 13 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 12 | ESE 8 | SE 12 | SE 9 | SE 9 | E 3 | E 3 | E 7 | SE 9 | E 6 | SE 9 |
1 | — | 1 | 1 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 6 | 14 | 6 | 35 | 13 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 21 | 1 | 13 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | E 6 | — | E 6 | E 6 | SE 14 | ESE 13 | E 8 | SE 13 | ESE 12 | E 8 | ESE 12 | ESE 4 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | E 7 | E 7 | — | E 6 | E 16 | E 15 |
1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 8 | 18 | 5 | 7 | 15 | 5 | 14 | 2 | 13 | 12 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 5 | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 3 | — | S 3 | S 4 | S 5 | S 5 | SSW 6 | — | S 6 | — | — | — | — | S 5 | S 5 | SSE 5 | SSW 5 | S 5 | SSW 6 |
— | — | 1 | — | 2 | 16 | 23 | 32 | 80 | — | 22 | — | — | — | — | 8 | 10 | 35 | 58 | 33 | 97 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 873 | 853 | 334 | 1555 | 2343 | 36 | 286 | 470 | 0 | 19 | 35 | 36 | 93 | 238 | 537 | 159 | 905 | 3 | 41 | 123 | 41 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Carolina | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.











