
Surf Forecasts:
Pelican Watch surf forecast from 8 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 10 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period, SSW swell with 175 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 9 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s period with SSW 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 0.8m 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 1.4m 7s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 10) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 09) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Thu 9th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Fri 10th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Fri 10th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pelican Watch over the next 16 days.
Alright, let’s break it down. It’s a slow start, no doubt about it. The first day that actually looks like it’s worth a look is Saturday morning, July 11th.
Pelican Watch is the spot. The swell is 5 feet from the SW, with a solid moderate energy reading of 231. The wind is offshore from the west at 9 mph, so it’s going to be clean and lined up. It’s a short-period swell, about 7 seconds, so it’ll be a bit jumbled, but for a beach break, that’s your best window. The water’s 83°, which is normal for the season.
After that Saturday morning window, the rest of the 16-day run is a bit of a dud. The next days are either tiny, choppy, or blown out. There’s a small chance on Tuesday afternoon, July 14th, with 2 feet from the E and a light cross-off breeze, but the energy is only 87 – it’s weak.
From July 17th onward, it’s a struggle. The swell drops, the winds turn onshore, and there’s nothing to get excited about. The energy readings are all in the teens and twenties. It’s a pretty blank run for the second week.
So, for a beginner, that Saturday morning, July 11th, at Pelican Watch is the standout. It’s clean, small, and the offshore wind will make it feel like a dream. For everyone else, keep your eyes on the forecast, but don’t hold your breath.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 34°C on Thu afternoon, min 27°C on Fri morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Fri night, light winds from the W by Sat morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 50mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Warm (max 33°C on Sat afternoon, min 22°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wed 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | SE 9 | S 7 | SW 7 | SE 9 | SSW 6 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
32 | 33 | 20 | 19 | 150 | 73 | 14 | 70 | 158 | 13 | 45 | 25 | 33 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 42 | 58 | 55 | 28 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:43PM1.41m | 2:48AM1.09m | 3:44PM1.51m | 3:50AM1.06m | 4:45PM1.62m | 4:55AM1.06m | 5:46PM1.73m | 5:58AM1.09m | 6:44PM1.80m | 6:59AM1.15m | 7:40PM1.85m | 7:57AM1.22m | 8:33PM1.85m | 8:52AM1.28m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:56PM0.18m | 8:49AM-0.04m | 10:06PM0.14m | 9:46AM-0.08m | 11:12PM0.09m | 10:47AM-0.13m | 00:14AM0.02m | 11:48AM-0.18m | 1:11AM-0.04m | 12:47PM-0.22m | 2:05AM-0.09m | 1:46PM-0.24m | 2:56AM-0.12m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | |
8:24 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:23 | — | 8:22 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | 14 | 21 | 9 | 2 | — | — | 4 | 5 | — |
Temp °C | 33 | 29 | 33 | 34 | 29 | 31 | 32 | 29 | 32 | 33 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 28 |
Feels °C | 32 | 30 | 32 | 32 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 27 | 33 | 31 | 30 | 32 | 29 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 9 | S 7 | SSW 7 | SE 9 | SSW 6 | S 6 | S 6 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
32 | 33 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 11 | 14 | 70 | 58 | 13 | 45 | 25 | 16 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 42 | 58 | 55 | 28 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 12 | — | E 6 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | E 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | E 4 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 |
— | 3 | — | 1 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 13 | 2 | 22 | 23 | 33 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 39 | 29 | 28 | 21 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 9 | E 11 | — | — | — | — | E 9 | E 9 | — | E 9 | ENE 4 | — | — | — | E 8 | E 8 | SW 4 | — | — | — |
— | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | 1 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | SSW 5 | SW 6 | SW 7 | SSW 5 | NE 2 | — | — | ENE 3 | ENE 4 | E 4 | SSE 4 | — | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 |
46 | 66 | 34 | 86 | 150 | 73 | 111 | 89 | 158 | 66 | 2 | — | — | 2 | 24 | 11 | 5 | — | 2 | 2 | 3 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 243 | 364 | 54 | 355 | 352 | 54 | 536 | 282 | 0 | 253 | 0 | 54 | 559 | 110 | 22 | 110 | 54 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 23 |
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.











