
Surf Forecasts:
Out Front surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 7s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 22 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 8s period, S swell with 368 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 7s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Out Front this week:
The surf forecast for Out Front over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Out Front in the next 16 days are 1.8m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Out Front over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get this straight. We’re lookin’ at a pretty grim run for the next 16 days down at Out Front. It’s a sandbar setup, exposed to the swell, but honestly, there’s nothin’ in the forecast that’s gonna get my heart pumpin’. The first solid bit of energy doesn’t even show up until Wednesday the 22nd, and even then it’s rough.
The whole run starts off flat and weak. Friday the 17th through Tuesday the 22nd morning is a total write-off – tiny 0.3ft to 2ft junk, mostly from the SSE or S, with cross or cross-onshore winds messin’ it up. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
Now, Wednesday the 22nd morning is where it gets a little interesting, but not in a good way. The swell jumps to 6ft from the S, period 7 seconds, and the combined energy hits 453. That’s a strong pulse of energy, but it’s comin’ with a 25 mph cross-shore from the SW. That’s a messy, windy mess – more kite-surf territory than paddle surf. The afternoon cleans up nicely with a 3ft SSE swell, an 8-second period, and a light offshore from the WNW, giving you clean conditions. But the energy is way down to 128, and the waves are still just ordinary. That’s probably the best chance you get, but it’s a low bar.
The rest of the week after that is sadly consistent: small, weak swells from the E or S, with moderate winds. The energy stays in the 50-150 range, weak to moderate. The water temp stays average. Look, the only real standout is Wednesday the 23rd morning: a 3ft NE swell with a 5-second period, but with a clean cross-offshore wind from the NNE. It’s small, short period, and inconsistent, but it’ll be the cleanest look of the whole run. Still, don’t expect much.
The whole second week – from the 25th onward – is a flat, choppy story. Winds are mostly cross or cross-on, and the swell barely cracks 3ft. The energy is weak. Friday the 31st morning goes glassy with a 1ft SSE swell, but it’s tiny. This is a long, dry spell. For a spot this exposed, it’s a rough run. The forecast can change, but right now, I’d save the gas.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 30°C on Thu night, min 25°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Thu night, fresh winds from the S by Sat afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 27°C on Tue night, min 23°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NE on Sun night, strong winds from the SSW by Tue night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 4 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | ESE 8 | S 3 | S 5 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSE 6 | SE 8 | S 6 | S 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
5 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 51 | 145 | 44 | 23 | 19 | 18 | 11 | 22 | 8 | 13 | 124 | 329 | 128 | 99 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:29PM1.40m | 11:11AM1.24m | 11:22PM1.32m | 12:05PM1.23m | 00:13AM1.23m | 12:56PM1.22m | 1:04AM1.14m | 1:45PM1.20m | 1:54AM1.05m | 2:33PM1.17m | 2:44AM0.97m | 3:22PM1.15m | 3:37AM0.91m | ||||||
Low Tide | 5:17AM-0.15m | 5:26PM-0.01m | 6:02AM-0.10m | 6:17PM0.06m | 6:47AM-0.03m | 7:09PM0.13m | 7:33AM0.05m | 8:07PM0.20m | 8:23AM0.12m | 9:10PM0.24m | 9:16AM0.18m | 10:11PM0.25m | |||||||
— | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | |
8:22 | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:20 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:19 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 11 | — |
Temp °C | 30 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 26 |
Feels °C | 31 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 31 | 27 | 23 | 23 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 23 | 29 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 4 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | E 13 | E 13 | S 7 | S 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | ENE 4 | E 4 | SE 8 | E 9 | S 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 |
5 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 44 | 23 | 19 | 18 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 2 | 124 | 128 | 99 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | — | E 14 | SE 13 | E 9 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | — | — | SE 8 | SSE 6 | NE 4 | — | — | — | SE 9 |
3 | 3 | 3 | — | 4 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | — | 3 | 8 | 1 | — | — | — | 68 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | E 14 | E 9 | E 9 | — | — | — | — | SE 12 | SE 8 | E 12 | NE 4 | E 12 | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 4 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 6 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ENE 3 | ENE 3 | SE 3 | S 3 | S 5 | S 7 | — | — | NE 3 | NE 3 | NE 4 | SE 7 | SSE 4 | SE 4 | S 6 | S 7 | — | N 4 |
— | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 51 | 145 | — | — | 2 | 5 | 5 | 22 | 6 | 13 | 124 | 329 | — | 12 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1108 | 1116 | 1108 | 1116 | 1116 | 1059 | 41 | 3 | 156 | 122 | 283 | 490 | 490 | 1059 | 1060 | 999 | 135 | 3 | 121 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Virginia | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Out Front Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Out Front provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Out Front can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Out Front 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 (Out Front) 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 Out Front 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.
Out Front is 55 km (34 miles) from Ocean City. If you plan a vacation in Virginia, look for hotels and other accommodation in Ocean City. Ocean City has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










