Surf Forecasts:
Pelican Watch surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 12s period, SE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 11s period, SE swell with 75 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 12s 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 18) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Pelican Watch in the next 16 days are 0.6m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pelican Watch over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's get into it. We're looking at the next couple of weeks for Pelican Watch, and honestly, it's a bit of a slow burner. There's some small stuff on offer throughout, but the real standout is tucked away in the second week. The swell energy is very weak for the first ten days, so we're paddling around for tiny waves for a while.
Starting off on Sunday the 16th and Monday the 17th, it's pretty grim. Tiny waves around 1ft to 2ft from the SE and SSE, but the wind is either on it or cross-onshore, making it a messy affair. The combined swell energy is pretty low, peaking at only 67 on Sunday afternoon, so it's weak.
We get a little window of hope on Tuesday morning the 18th. The wind goes glassy, which is a major positive. The swell is still small, only 1.3ft, but it's a longer period SE groundswell at 12 seconds, which gives it a bit more shape. The combined energy is 61, still weak, but the clean conditions mean it's surfable. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so you won't need a full winter suit just yet.
The rest of that first week and into the next is a mixed bag with the odd glassy morning (like Thursday the 20th) but with waves barely reaching 1.3ft to 2ft. Most afternoons get a bit of a breeze up.
Now, hold on to your board shorts. The standout window arrives on Thursday the 27th. Thursday morning sees the swell jump to a clean 2.3ft from the SE, with a solid 13-second period. The combined energy rockets up to 201 (moderate energy) and the wind is light and offshore from the SW. This is the best we're going to see, offering clean, punchy little waves. It's not huge, but for consistency and quality, this is the session to target. After that, we get a few more days of onshore wind and messy conditions through to the end of the month.
Overall, if you're keen, aim for that Tuesday morning the 18th for a glassy paddle, but pencil in Thursday the 27th as the day to actually get something decent. The rest is pretty ordinary.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 29mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 33°C on Mon afternoon, min 26°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Mon night, calm by Tue morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Tue night. Warm (max 31°C on Thu afternoon, min 25°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 5 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 12 | SE 11 | ESE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | S 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 12 | 11 | 24 | 21 | 39 | 21 | 21 | 35 | 75 | 65 | 42 | 40 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 22 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:35PM1.51m | 11:04AM1.50m | 11:19PM1.37m | 11:53AM1.47m | 00:04AM1.23m | 12:43PM1.42m | 00:51AM1.11m | 1:37PM1.38m | 1:43AM1.01m | 2:35PM1.35m | 2:42AM0.95m | 3:36PM1.34m | 3:45AM0.93m | ||||||
Low Tide | 4:40AM-0.04m | 5:08PM0.06m | 5:21AM0.02m | 6:00PM0.15m | 6:03AM0.09m | 6:57PM0.24m | 6:47AM0.16m | 7:58PM0.31m | 7:36AM0.22m | 9:04PM0.36m | 8:31AM0.25m | 10:09PM0.37m | |||||||
 |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — |
 | 7:58 | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — |
mm | 21 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 4 | — | — | 12 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 7 |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 31 | 33 | 28 | 32 | 33 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 29 |
Feels °C | 30 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 34 | 34 | 29 | 38 | 37 | 35 | 31 | 32 | 34 | 35 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 5 | S 5 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 5 | SE 11 | ESE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 4 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | S 5 |
| kJ | 12 | 4 | 24 | 21 | 39 | 21 | 21 | 7 | 75 | 65 | 42 | 40 | 19 | 6 | 17 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 22 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ENE 4 | E 5 | E 6 | E 7 | SE 9 | E 6 | S 4 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | S 4 | SE 8 | E 4 | E 6 | E 6 | SE 15 | ESE 9 |
| kJ | 6 | 11 | 24 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 19 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 18 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 17 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 9 | SW 4 | — | — | — | SE 13 | SE 12 | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 | E 3 | E 4 | E 4 | E 7 | — | E 15 | E 6 | SE 14 |
| kJ | 2 | 2 | 5 | — | — | — | 7 | 35 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — | 4 | 1 | 8 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 4 | ESE 4 | S 4 | SW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | — | S 4 | NE 2 | ENE 3 | — | — | S 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | S 4 | S 4 | — |
| kJ | — | 7 | 14 | 12 | 1 | 13 | 23 | — | 6 | 2 | 3 | — | — | 10 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 20 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 821 | 575 | 2540 | 352 | 489 | 298 | 22 | 0 | 529 | 0 | 54 | 837 | 358 | 298 | 584 | 110 | 129 | 576 | 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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