Surf Forecasts:
Pelican Watch surf forecast from 5 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 9 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 6s period, SSW swell with 245 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 9 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Pelican Watch this week:
The surf forecast for Pelican Watch over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 09) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Pelican Watch in the next 16 days are 1.7m 6s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 10) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 08) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Thu 9th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Thu 9th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Fri 10th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pelican Watch over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Hey, Rusty here.
This 16-day stretch is a lean one for surf, plain and simple. The first recommendation doesn’t pop up until Wednesday, July 8th, so there’s a few days of nothing at the start.
The only spot that shows any real consistency is Pelican Watch. It’s a beginner-friendly and fairly consistent beach break, exposed to the swell, but the whole run is dominated by tiny, weak waves and plenty of average conditions. The water temp is about normal for this time of year, sitting at 82°F.
For the first bit of hope, check Wednesday morning, July 8th. The combined energy of all swells directed here hits a moderate level (216), which is the biggest number in the whole forecast. You’re looking at a short-period swell of 4ft from the SSW, with a period of just 6 seconds, so it’s choppy. The wind is cross-off from the SW at 12 mph, keeping things clean, but it’s still only a marginal call. The swell hangs around through Friday the 10th, with afternoon swells reaching 6ft from the SSW, but that comes with a fresh breeze of 22 mph, making it a fight.
The standout, the one to target, is Monday morning, July 13th. The combined energy of all swells directed here is moderate (102), coming from a 2ft SE swell with a 10-second period. The real winner here is the glassy, calm wind from the ESE at just 3 mph. That’s a rare clean moment, and it’ll give you the smoothest, most forgiving waves of the whole run. The swell direction (SE) is a decent match for the optimum SE, and at that size it’s perfect for beginners.
After that, it’s all downhill. From July 14th through the 20th, it’s 1ft or less, with weak energy readings mostly below 100. The winds stay cross-off, but there’s no push. Crowds at Pelican Watch are often a factor, so if you do go for that Monday glass-off, expect some company.
Bottom line: it’s a poor outlook. The waves are small, the period is short, and the quality is mostly poor. The one bright spot is that Monday morning glass-off, but otherwise, you’re better off waiting for a better swell.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Mon night. Warm (max 32°C on Tue afternoon, min 27°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 33°C on Fri afternoon, min 28°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | |||||||||||||||
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 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 5 | S 6 | SE 10 | S 6 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SSW 6 | SE 9 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SE 8 | SSW 6 | S 7 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | S 6 | S 6 | ENE 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 26 | 17 | 17 | 24 | 52 | 23 | 60 | 22 | 21 | 110 | 40 | 142 | 68 | 18 | 170 | 113 | 219 | 209 | 50 | 25 | 42 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:03PM1.14m | 00:11AM1.30m | 12:52PM1.21m | 00:57AM1.22m | 1:45PM1.30m | 1:49AM1.15m | 2:43PM1.41m | 2:48AM1.09m | 3:44PM1.51m | 3:50AM1.06m | 4:45PM1.62m | 4:55AM1.06m | 5:46PM1.73m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:50PM0.16m | 6:28AM0.05m | 6:46PM0.18m | 7:09AM0.02m | 7:48PM0.19m | 7:56AM-0.00m | 8:56PM0.18m | 8:49AM-0.04m | 10:06PM0.14m | 9:46AM-0.08m | 11:12PM0.09m | 10:47AM-0.13m | 00:14AM0.02m | ||||||||
 | |  | |  |  | | | |  | |  | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — |
 | — | 8:25 | — | — | 8:25 | — | — | 8:25 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:24 | — |
mm | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | 7 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 9 |
Temp °C | 29 | 30 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 31 | 32 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 32 | 32 | 29 | 32 | 33 | 29 | 32 | 33 | 28 |
Feels °C | 31 | 31 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 32 | 30 | 30 | 33 | 30 | 29 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 33 | 32 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 9 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 6 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | S 6 | S 6 | SE 7 |
| kJ | 26 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 64 | 40 | 22 | 19 | 18 | 21 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 50 | 25 | 25 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 6 | — | — | — | — | — | E 11 | E 10 | SE 9 | — | — | E 11 | — | — | E 10 | — | E 9 | SE 9 | SE 7 | SSW 5 |
| kJ | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 39 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | 2 | 13 | 14 | 6 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 13 | — | — | — | E 11 | — | — | — | — | E 9 | ESE 9 | SE 10 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 9 | 14 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 4 | S 3 | S 4 | S 5 | S 6 | SSW 6 | S 6 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | S 7 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | — | — | ENE 5 |
| kJ | 2 | 4 | 12 | 24 | 52 | 81 | 60 | 54 | 87 | 110 | 170 | 142 | 68 | 158 | 170 | 113 | 219 | 209 | — | — | 42 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1763 | 837 | 357 | 774 | 352 | 352 | 304 | 818 | 562 | 102 | 59 | 54 | 19 | 138 | 355 | 22 | 527 | 282 | 0 | 973 | 243 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Carolina | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Pelican Watch Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Pelican Watch provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Pelican Watch can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Pelican Watch 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 (Pelican Watch) 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 Pelican Watch 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.
Pelican Watch is 26 km (16 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.
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