Surf Forecasts:
Pelican Watch surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 25 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 11s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s period, S swell with 38 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 11s 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 Tuesday (Aug 25) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 11s. 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 0.8m 6s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pelican Watch over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s on offer for Pelican Watch over the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, it’s a pretty slow start. We’ve got a long stretch of almost nothing to write home about right through the rest of August and into the very beginning of September. The first proper glimmer of hope doesn't show up until the morning of Tuesday, the 1st of September. Before that, you’re looking at tiny, weak swells and mostly poor conditions. The water temp is sitting at 85°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least a dip won’t be a shock to the system.
The standout moment of the whole outlook is the morning of Thursday, the 3rd of September. That’s the one to circle. We’ve got a solid 3ft ESE swell rolling in with a 12-second period. The combined energy of all swells directed here is moderate at 202, which is the highest we’ll see. The wind is a clean cross-off from the SW, making for some tidy, clean waves. It’s a beginner-friendly spot, and with that size, it’s perfect for a learner or a longboarder. Just be aware that crowds can be likely here, so get in early.
The morning of Friday, the 4th of September, also offers a little something with a 2ft ESE swell and a gentle offshore wind from the WSW, keeping things clean. The energy is lower at 144, but it’s still a decent session if you missed the Thursday morning window.
Other than that, it’s a pretty lean run. The spit of swell on the 1st of September is there, but it’s small and the wind is messy by the afternoon. Conditions improve a bit over the first week of September, but don’t expect anything firing. Just keep your eye on that Thursday the 3rd.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Mon afternoon. Warm (max 31°C on Sun afternoon, min 24°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Thu afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Fri afternoon, min 23°C on Thu afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | S 4 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 34 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 31 | 32 | 30 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 25 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:28PM1.40m | 5:38AM1.01m | 6:14PM1.45m | 6:24AM1.09m | 6:55PM1.50m | 7:06AM1.17m | 7:32PM1.54m | 7:45AM1.26m | 8:08PM1.56m | 8:23AM1.34m | 8:43PM1.55m | 9:01AM1.42m | 9:19PM1.52m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:54PM0.30m | 11:22AM0.19m | 00:36AM0.26m | 12:10PM0.15m | 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 | |||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | | | |  | |  | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — |
 | 7:49 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:40 | — |
mm | — | 3 | 2 | 6 | 4 | — | — | 3 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 10 | 5 | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | — | 6 |
Temp °C | 31 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 28 |
Feels °C | 32 | 29 | 32 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | S 5 | S 6 | S 5 | S 5 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 4 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 |
| kJ | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 34 | 21 | 13 | 7 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 6 | 31 | 32 | 30 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 25 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 9 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | S 5 | ENE 3 | E 8 | SE 9 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 |
| kJ | 7 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 21 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | E 7 | SSW 5 | E 7 | E 16 | — | E 8 | — | S 5 | SE 6 | — | — | E 10 | — | — |
| kJ | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | — | 4 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 2 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 5 | S 5 | S 4 | S 4 | SSW 5 | — | — | E 3 | ESE 3 | SSE 5 | S 4 | — | S 4 | S 4 | S 5 | SSW 4 | S 5 | S 5 | S 4 | S 4 |
| kJ | 19 | 15 | 9 | 14 | 45 | — | — | 1 | 2 | 4 | 9 | — | 14 | 10 | 24 | 27 | 28 | 15 | 13 | 15 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 576 | 641 | 278 | 757 | 0 | 110 | 243 | 565 | 892 | 1230 | 565 | 278 | 253 | 351 | 54 | 527 | 489 | 282 | 641 | 489 |
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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