
Surf Forecasts:
Out Front surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 5s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 7s period, S swell with 145 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 17 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 5s period with SSW 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 Friday (Jul 17) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 4s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 8s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Out Front in the next 16 days are 1.3m 7s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 2AM. 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 5s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Fri 17th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 5s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Fri 17th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 5s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Out Front over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here.
Honestly, looking at the next 16 days at Out Front, it’s a pretty grim stretch. We’re staring down the barrel of a long, dry spell with nothing really worth paddling out for. The forecast is a classic case of a little bit of swell but with absolutely no quality to back it up. There’s a solid gap right now with no real surf on offer, and it stays that way all the way through.
The first few days are a total write-off. Thursday, July 16th, is almost flat with a tiny 0.7ft ESE swell, and while the morning is glassy, the afternoon gets chewed up by a strong cross-shore wind. Friday and Saturday are just as bad – tiny, short-period slop with messy cross-shore and cross-onshore winds. The water is a touch warmer than normal at 78°F.
Into the second week, things don't improve. We see a slight bump in energy around Wednesday, July 22nd, with the combined energy hitting 108, but that’s still a weak pulse and the wind is all wrong. The best you could hope for is a cleanish morning on July 19th (Sunday) with a 3ft S swell and a cross-offshore wind, or the afternoon of the 19th when a light offshore from the NNW makes the 2ft SSE swell look surfable, but only just. It’s ordinary at best.
The only real stand-out, if you can call it that, is Saturday, July 25th. The morning sees a 4ft SE swell with light cross-shore winds, pushing the combined energy to 112. It’s the biggest we see, but the quality is still rated as poor. The afternoon then gets hammered by a 5ft SSE swell but with a choppy cross-onshore wind, making it a mess. For a beginner spot with inconsistent waves, even that morning window is more of a hopeful paddle than a proper session.
Honestly, this is a classic blank run for this area. Don’t hold your breath. Forecasts can change, but for now, the only thing that looks interesting is the kite-surfing potential on Saturday afternoon when the wind and swell pick up; paddle surfing is a no-go.
Rusty, out.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 33°C on Thu afternoon, min 26°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, strong winds from the S by Sat afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 29°C on Sun morning, min 23°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Sun night, strong winds from the SW by Tue night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 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) | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSW 5 | SSE 5 | ENE 4 | E 14 | S 3 | S 4 | S 7 | S 7 | SSE 7 | SE 9 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 4 | SSE 4 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SE 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
6 | 6 | 28 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 40 | 145 | 59 | 37 | 31 | 19 | 18 | 29 | 12 | 15 | 96 | 80 | 67 | 23 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross | glassy | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross |
High Tide | 10:17AM1.24m | 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 | 4:36PM-0.05m | 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 | ||||||||
5:50 | — | — | 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 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 5 | 4 | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 10 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 33 | 29 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 20 | 23 | 23 |
Feels °C | 33 | 34 | 28 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 16 | 19 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 4 | ESE 8 | S 4 | SSE 5 | S 5 | E 14 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | E 13 | S 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | NE 4 | SE 8 | — | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SE 7 |
3 | 6 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 59 | 37 | 31 | 19 | 18 | 1 | 2 | — | 96 | 80 | 67 | 23 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | — | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | — | E 14 | SE 13 | E 8 | E 13 | E 13 | SE 9 | E 12 | E 12 | — | NE 4 | NE 4 | — | — | SE 9 | SE 8 |
6 | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | 4 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 23 | 3 | 3 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 41 | 18 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | SE 14 | — | E 9 | — | — | N 8 | — | — | SE 12 | E 12 | — | E 12 | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 6 | 3 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 3 | SSW 5 | ENE 3 | ENE 4 | SE 3 | S 3 | S 4 | S 7 | — | — | NE 3 | NE 3 | ENE 4 | SSE 7 | SSE 4 | SSE 4 | WSW 3 | N 2 | NE 3 | NNE 3 |
— | 3 | 28 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 40 | 145 | — | — | 5 | 4 | 1 | 29 | 12 | 15 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1397 | 1137 | 440 | 2396 | 1108 | 1294 | 1119 | 95 | 999 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 254 | 490 | 490 | 825 | 1046 | 41 | 173 | 123 | 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.










