Surf Forecasts:
Pelican Watch surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 10s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 15 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 6s period, ENE swell with 182 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 10s period with SE 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 Sunday (Sep 13) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Pelican Watch in the next 16 days are 1.6m 6s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 15) 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 0.7m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pelican Watch over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s happening at Pelican Watch.
We’re looking at a real quiet spell for the first week and a half. From Sunday the 13th all the way through Saturday the 20th, it’s mostly poor—onshore winds, chop, tiny swell. There’s a blink of clean 0.5m SE swell on Sunday morning the 13th, but it’s weak (69) and barely surfable. Not worth suiting up.
The first proper window arrives on Monday the 21st of September. Monday morning bumps up to 1.7m from the ENE, short 7-second period, moderate energy (314). Light cross-onshore wind keeps it a bit messy, but it’s beginner-friendly size. The afternoon gets worse with light rain and cross-shore breeze.
Tuesday the 22nd and Wednesday the 23rd of September are your best bets early on. Both mornings show 1.2m E swell with clean conditions and a cross-off breeze from the NNW. The energy is moderate (95-103). These are clean, rideable waves—not big, but fun.
From Thursday the 24th to Saturday the 26th, the swell sticks around 1.0 to 1.2m but the wind goes cross or cross-onshore, so quality drops.
Then Sunday the 27th of September delivers the highlight. Glassy conditions—wind from the north at just 5 km/h—with 0.9m E swell and a 9-second period. The water is warm at 28°, about normal for this time of year. Moderate energy (159). It’s clean, small, and perfect for a relaxed morning session.
Monday the 28th fades back to onshore wind.
Best on offer: Sunday the 27th of September is the clear winner—glassy and clean. For a bit more size, the Tuesday and Wednesday mornings the 22nd and 23rd are solid with cross-off winds.
Most of this forecast is a dud, but there are a few windows for a paddle if you time it right.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Warm (max 32°C on Mon afternoon, min 22°C on Tue morning). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 27°C on Fri afternoon, min 21°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | |||||||||||||||
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 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 6 | E 6 | E 5 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 6 | E 5 | E 5 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 45 | 41 | 39 | 38 | 38 | 182 | 97 | 103 | 88 | 52 | 72 | 37 | 77 | 60 | 43 | 32 | 15 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 11 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 9:47AM1.65m | 10:04PM1.43m | 10:30AM1.62m | 10:45PM1.31m | 11:13AM1.56m | 11:27PM1.20m | 11:59AM1.50m | 00:12AM1.10m | 12:50PM1.43m | 1:03AM1.03m | 1:48PM1.37m | 2:03AM0.99m | 2:51PM1.35m | 3:09AM0.99m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:55PM0.05m | 3:59AM0.06m | 4:42PM0.13m | 4:37AM0.12m | 5:30PM0.22m | 5:16AM0.20m | 6:21PM0.30m | 5:59AM0.26m | 7:18PM0.37m | 6:49AM0.32m | 8:21PM0.42m | 7:48AM0.35m | 9:26PM0.43m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |  |  | |
 | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — |
 | — | 7:21 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:17 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:14 | — | — | 7:13 | — |
mm | 3 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 28 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 23 | 26 | 25 |
Feels °C | 30 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 33 | 25 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 22 | 26 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 5 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | — | E 15 | E 15 | E 14 | E 8 | SE 14 | E 7 | SE 13 | SE 13 | E 7 | ESE 12 | E 7 | E 5 | E 5 | E 6 | SE 8 |
| kJ | 24 | 41 | 39 | 38 | 38 | — | 4 | 4 | 4 | 31 | 7 | 24 | 7 | 6 | 43 | 15 | 9 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 11 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | — | E 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 4 | — | — | — | — | SE 14 | — | SE 14 | E 9 | SE 9 | SE 13 | SE 9 | ESE 12 | E 7 | SE 9 | SE 9 | E 6 |
| kJ | 45 | — | 1 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | 7 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 14 | 4 | 12 | 12 | 7 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 9 | ESE 12 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | E 7 | ESE 12 | SE 11 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 15 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 13 | 5 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | — | ESE 2 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 6 | E 6 | E 5 | E 7 | E 7 | — | E 6 | E 5 | — | — | — | S 3 |
| kJ | — | 24 | 12 | — | 1 | 182 | 97 | 103 | 88 | 52 | 72 | 37 | 77 | 60 | — | 32 | 15 | — | — | — | 5 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 301 | 54 | 54 | 1163 | 529 | 140 | 140 | 30 | 138 | 1230 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 956 | 841 | 785 | 838 | 837 | 129 |
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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