Surf Forecasts:
Pelican Watch surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 10s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 15 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 6s period, ENE swell with 188 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 8AM (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 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m 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 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Monday (Sep 14) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pelican Watch over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at the next stretch for Pelican Watch.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you: the first week plus is a tough one. This is a beginner-friendly spot, but the windows of quality are just not there for a long while. We’re looking at a solid gap of over a week before anything really gets going.
The first hint of something half-decent comes on the 23rd of September, Wednesday morning. The swell ticks up to 8ft from the east, with a period of 8 seconds. Winds are light and cross-offshore out of the NNW, keeping things clean. The combined energy is strong, sitting at 724, so there’s some push there. But it’s marginal, and with that size, it’s pushing the limits for the beginners this break is known for. The afternoon holds similar at 8ft (891 energy), still clean with cross-off winds, but still only a marginal nod.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting, but you need to be on your game. The 24th of September, Thursday, brings a proper pulse. We’re looking at 10ft of east swell, with a 9-second period. The energy is through the roof – 1650 in the morning and 1585 in the afternoon. That is a *lot* of water moving. The morning has light cross-shore breeze, but the afternoon turns glassy with a light southerly. The forecast actually flags this as too big for the break, and I agree. This is expert territory only. If you’re not a seasoned pro, you sit this one out.
For the rest of the run into the 27th, the swell stays solid (6ft to 8ft) but the wind quality takes a hit, mostly cross-on or onshore, making for choppy, lumpy conditions. The 27th of September, Sunday morning, shows potential with 6ft from the ESE and a glassy start, but the period drops to 7 seconds, so it’ll be a bit weak and fat.
So, the only true standout is that massive pulse on Thursday the 24th. If you’re an expert and you can handle a solid 10ft of east swell with plenty of energy (1650), and you find that glassy window in the afternoon, it could be the best day of the month. But for everyone else, the pickings are slim until those conditions clean up and the size drops back down.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Sat morning. Warm (max 32°C on Mon afternoon, min 26°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 27°C on Thu afternoon, min 20°C on Wed morning). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | ||||||||||||||
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 7 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | E 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 19 | 35 | 39 | 42 | 45 | 41 | 39 | 30 | 30 | 176 | 175 | 110 | 139 | 106 | 108 | 89 | 132 | 88 | 49 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 8:41PM1.62m | 9:03AM1.64m | 9:23PM1.53m | 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 | ||||||
Low Tide | 2:43AM-0.01m | 3:09PM-0.01m | 3:21AM0.01m | 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 | |||||||
 |  | |  | |  | | |  | | | | | | |  | | |  | |
 | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — |
 | 7:23 | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:21 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:17 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — |
mm | — | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | 4 | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 32 | 26 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 31 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 31 | 33 | 35 | 27 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 20 | 23 | 22 | 25 | 28 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 5 | ESE 9 | — | E 15 | E 15 | E 14 | SE 14 | SE 14 | SE 14 | SE 13 | SE 13 | E 8 |
| kJ | 19 | 35 | 39 | 42 | 45 | 41 | 39 | 13 | 30 | — | 4 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 49 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | S 4 | S 5 | — | — | — | — | ESE 9 | S 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 14 | SE 9 | E 9 | SE 13 |
| kJ | 1 | 6 | 7 | — | — | — | — | 30 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 9 | SE 9 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 4 | S 4 | S 4 | SSW 4 | S 5 | S 5 | SSW 5 | — | — | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | E 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 8 | E 8 | — |
| kJ | 5 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 18 | 17 | 27 | — | — | 176 | 175 | 110 | 139 | 106 | 108 | 89 | 132 | 88 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 282 | 1231 | 253 | 294 | 0 | 294 | 59 | 54 | 892 | 529 | 140 | 140 | 30 | 605 | 140 | 54 | 110 | 138 | 54 |
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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