Surf Forecasts:
Out Front surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 9s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 6s period, S swell with 98 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 9s period with SSE 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Out Front in the next 16 days are 1.2m 6s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Out Front over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on offer for the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, it’s a grim stretch for Out Front. The whole 16-day window is flat or near-flat with weak, short-period sludge. The combined swell energy barely scrapes into triple digits a few times, topping out at 160 (moderate energy) late on August 27th, but even then the wind is a mess. That little bump on the 27th afternoon has a 1.0m swell from the S, but it’s a short 7-second period and the wind is cross-shore or onshore the whole time, so it’ll be lumpy and blown out. For a sandbar break that rarely breaks anyway, this is a tough run.
There is one period that’s worth a mention. Friday morning August 28th, we finally see clean conditions with a moderate offshore wind from the NNW and a 0.8m SSE swell. The period is only 8 seconds, and the combined energy is 102 (moderate), so you might find a few crumbly little runners if you’re patient. The break is inconsistent and exposed to the ESE, which isn’t ideal for that S/SSE swell direction, but it’s the best the window offers. Friday afternoon the 28th also has gentle offshore wind from the WNW with a 0.7m SSE swell – still small, but offshore wind makes a world of difference. If you’re a beginner, these tiny waves are fine for learning on, but don’t expect much push.
From August 29th through September 1st, it drops right back again with poor surf and weak energy. The water temperature is about average for the time of year, so no surprises there.
Bottom line: there’s no proper swell on the horizon. The only real shot at a clean wave is the tail end of August, on Friday the 28th. It won’t be big, it won’t be powerful, but with that offshore wind, a patient surfer might find a long, gentle ride. For the rest, it’s a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Mon night, min 25°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 58mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 28°C on Sun afternoon, min 22°C on Fri morning). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | SSE 7 | SE 6 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SE 4 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | E 4 | E 5 | E 5 | ENE 6 | S 5 | S 6 | S 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
19 | 21 | 10 | 29 | 33 | 13 | 12 | 7 | 34 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 6 | 28 | 49 | 98 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 00:30AM1.09m | 1:05PM1.19m | 1:19AM1.00m | 1:53PM1.15m | 2:09AM0.93m | 2:41PM1.11m | 3:02AM0.89m | 3:33PM1.09m | 4:00AM0.87m | 4:30PM1.10m | 5:01AM0.88m | 5:26PM1.12m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:48AM0.10m | 7:27PM0.20m | 7:32AM0.19m | 8:26PM0.26m | 8:25AM0.25m | 9:30PM0.29m | 9:27AM0.29m | 10:32PM0.28m | 10:28AM0.29m | 11:26PM0.24m | 11:23AM0.26m | 00:14AM0.20m | |||||||
— | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | |
7:52 | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | 6 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 24 | 3 | 1 | 8 | — | 1 | 11 | 9 | 1 | 3 |
Temp °C | 29 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 28 | 25 |
Feels °C | 33 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 29 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SSE 7 | SE 6 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SSE 4 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | E 5 | E 5 | SSE 4 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | S 6 |
19 | 21 | 10 | 29 | 33 | 13 | 12 | 7 | 18 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 13 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 43 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 9 | SE 12 | SSE 6 | — | NE 4 | — | SE 5 | E 6 | E 6 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | SSE 5 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ENE 6 | SE 13 | SE 12 | ESE 12 |
— | 3 | 5 | 3 | — | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 14 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 12 | — | — | NE 4 | NE 4 | — | E 6 | — | E 16 | E 15 | E 15 | SE 14 | SSE 5 | SE 13 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 6 |
— | 6 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — | 5 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 3 | SE 8 | SE 4 | ENE 3 | ENE 3 | E 4 | — | SSE 5 | W 2 | S 5 | S 6 | S 6 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 34 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 15 | — | 2 | 1 | 28 | 49 | 98 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 351 | 41 | 261 | 3 | 41 | 261 | 222 | 440 | 2378 | 670 | 222 | 1013 | 296 | 124 | 76 | 70 | 41 | 62 | 51 |
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.











