Surf Forecasts:
Pelican Watch surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 9s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 13s period, SE swell with 46 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 9s period with ESE 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 Friday (Aug 28) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 9s 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 0.4m 13s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 8PM. 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 Friday (Aug 28) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pelican Watch over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, lookin’ at Pelican Watch (United States). Gotta be honest, this forecast is a tough one. We’re in for a long quiet spell, so don’t rush to wax your board just yet.
Starting Wednesday the 26th, there’s nothing doing. Tiny 1ft south-east swell with weak energy (27) and onshore breeze. Poor conditions, and that’s how it stays for a while. We’re stuck with ankle-biters through the end of August and into the first few days of September. Mornings are clean with light offshore winds, but there’s just no power. Swell stays under 2ft until the 31st, with energy barely getting out of the 30s and 40s.
Things finally wake up on Wednesday morning September 2nd. We get a 2ft south-east pulse, but the period jumps to 12 seconds – that’s real groundswell! Combined energy hits 102 (moderate), and the morning is clean with light offshore wind. It’s still small, but after all this flatness, it’s the best we see. Pelican Watch is a beginner-friendly, fairly consistent spot, exposed to the swell and can get a few folks. With this being the only real highlight, expect it to be a little busy. Water temp is about normal for the season.
After that little spike, it drops off again. The 3rd of September has a 3ft east swell in the afternoon, but the wind is cross-offshore and the energy hits 152 (moderate), yet the wave quality is poor. Friday the 4th is clean again, but only 2ft. Saturday the 5th morning is glassy with 3ft east-northeast swell, but it’s a short 6-second period – windswell, not groundswell. It’s just okay.
Then we slide into a long run of small, weak surf with mostly onshore or cross-shore breezes through the second week. A couple of glassy mornings, but the swell is always under 3ft and the energy is weak. By the 10th of September, we’re lookin’ at onshore wind and 1ft waves. Honestly, from the 5th onward it’s a lot of waiting for nothing.
The one true standout is Wednesday the 2nd of September morning. That’s your window. Everything else is small and forgettable. Keep an eye out for a change, but for now, that’s the story.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Wed night. Warm (max 30°C on Thu afternoon, min 26°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 30°C on Mon afternoon, min 25°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | ||||||||||||||
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 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 23 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 17 | 30 | 32 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 26 | 20 | 19 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:06AM1.17m | 7:32PM1.54m | 7:45AM1.26m | 8:08PM1.56m | 8:23AM1.34m | 8:43PM1.55m | 9:01AM1.42m | 9:19PM1.52m | 9:40AM1.49m | 9:56PM1.46m | 10:22AM1.55m | 10:36PM1.39m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:12AM0.20m | 12:54PM0.10m | 1:46AM0.15m | 1:36PM0.07m | 2:18AM0.10m | 2:16PM0.05m | 2:50AM0.06m | 2:58PM0.04m | 3:23AM0.04m | 3:41PM0.05m | 3:57AM0.03m | 4:27PM0.08m | 4:34AM0.03m | ||||||
 |  |  |  | |  |  | | |  | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — |
 | 7:46 | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:38 | — |
mm | — | — | 1 | 7 | 2 | — | 6 | 3 | — | 4 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 28 |
Feels °C | 30 | 29 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 33 | 31 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 4 | SSE 5 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | S 5 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | S 5 | S 5 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 |
| kJ | 23 | 22 | 21 | 6 | 9 | 30 | 32 | 25 | 28 | 27 | 16 | 11 | 25 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 26 | 20 | 19 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 5 | — | E 16 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | E 4 | E 12 | ESE 9 | E 11 | E 11 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 5 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | E 9 | — | — | SE 16 |
| kJ | 4 | — | 5 | 22 | 17 | 1 | 3 | 29 | 3 | 2 | 26 | 26 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 10 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | — | E 6 | E 8 | ESE 8 | E 13 | — | E 12 | — | — | E 11 | E 10 | — | E 10 | E 9 | — | E 9 | E 9 | — |
| kJ | 1 | — | 1 | 5 | 11 | 3 | — | 3 | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 5 | SE 3 | ESE 4 | S 4 | — | S 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | S 5 | S 5 | SSW 5 | — | S 4 | — | SSW 2 | S 2 | — | SSW 3 | S 3 |
| kJ | 5 | 5 | 11 | 1 | — | 11 | 35 | 46 | 32 | 32 | 23 | — | 6 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 5 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 575 | 575 | 1237 | 575 | 258 | 1230 | 321 | 0 | 536 | 3 | 3 | 793 | 282 | 129 | 243 | 282 | 541 | 892 | 548 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Carolina | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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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