
Surf Forecasts:
Pelican Watch surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 14 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 9s period, SE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 15 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 6s period, ENE swell with 170 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 9s 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 Monday (Sep 14) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 4s. 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 1.6m 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 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 9s |
| 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
Alright, let me have a look at what’s cookin’ for us.
Honestly, mate, the next couple of weeks are pretty bleak around here. The swell is tiny, the wind is messy, and nearly every session is rated as poor. You’re gonna be staring at a lot of flat, choppy, or just plain ugly ocean. There’s a long gap with nothing worth paddling out for until we get to the final few days. The water temperature is 82°, which is about normal for this time of year.
The only time things start to look even half-interesting is around Thursday the 24th of September, into Friday the 25th. That’s a week and a half away, so don’t hold your breath just yet, but it’s something to watch.
On Thursday the 24th afternoon, Pelican Watch might finally give us a moment. The wind goes glassy, and there’s a small 4ft swell coming from the east, but with a period of only 5 seconds. That’s real short-period, weak stuff. The combined energy is low at 78 (moderate). It’ll be surfable but very ordinary.
Then on Friday the 25th, both morning and afternoon see the swell bump up a little. Morning has 5ft from the east-northeast, and the afternoon pushes to 5ft from the east, both with 6-second periods and light offshore or cross-off winds. The energy climbs to 174 and 181 (moderate). Still nothing special, but for this stretch, it’s the best on offer. Clean conditions with that offshore wind will make it rideable, but don’t expect any gems.
The rest of the time? Forget it. Mostly onshore wind, tiny swell, or both. There’s a bit of a spike on Monday the 21st afternoon with 6ft from the east and energy of 250 (moderate), but it’s onshore wind and poor conditions. Wouldn’t bother.
So to sum it up: this is a waiting game. The end of the second week has a couple of days that might be worth a look if the forecast holds, but for now, leave the board in the car.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 33°C on Mon afternoon, min 22°C on Tue morning). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Fri afternoon, min 22°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 6 | E 8 | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 6 | ESE 6 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
41 | 39 | 38 | 49 | 170 | 108 | 94 | 82 | 58 | 141 | 66 | 89 | 43 | 43 | 57 | 30 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | |
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 | on | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | |
7:21 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:17 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:14 | — | — | 7:13 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 |
Temp °C | 30 | 28 | 30 | 33 | 27 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 31 | 29 | 31 | 35 | 27 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 31 | 29 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | — | E 15 | E 15 | E 14 | E 8 | SE 14 | SE 14 | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 6 | ESE 6 | E 6 | E 7 | SE 9 |
41 | 39 | 38 | 49 | — | 4 | 4 | 4 | 31 | 7 | 7 | 52 | 43 | 43 | 44 | 30 | 13 | 7 | 8 | 12 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 5 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | — | — | — | — | SE 14 | — | — | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 9 | SE 9 | E 6 |
— | 1 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | — | 7 | 6 | 6 | 15 | 7 | 7 | 12 | 12 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 5 | SSW 4 | NNW 2 | — | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 6 | E 8 | E 6 | E 7 | — | — | E 7 | — | — | — | — | SSW 2 |
24 | 18 | 1 | — | 170 | 108 | 94 | 82 | 58 | 141 | 66 | 89 | — | — | 57 | — | — | — | — | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 304 | 54 | 54 | 892 | 723 | 140 | 140 | 30 | 42 | 1230 | 23 | 23 | 956 | 23 | 73 | 956 | 1580 | 629 | 1237 | 562 |
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.










