Pelican Watch Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.04° N 77.89° W

Pelican Watch Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 07 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Pelican Watch sea temperature is
28.5°C
1.0° 

Pelican Watch surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Pelican Watch surf forecast from 7 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 7s period, E swell with 262 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 10 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s 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 Thursday (Sep 10) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 9s. 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 1.7m 7s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 5s period and expected on Friday (Sep 11) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (EDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Thu 10th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 6s
Best Surf 5AM (Thu 10th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 6s
Most Powerful11PM (Mon 7th Sep)5.5ft (1.7m) 7s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pelican Watch over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Hey, Rusty here. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Pelican Watch is looking flat and messy for the next two and a half weeks. This spot’s normally a consistent little beginner wave, but the forecast ain't cooperating.

Water temp is about 83°F – pretty normal for early September.

Monday 7 September kicks off with a 5 ft ENE swell, but that’s ripped apart by a 19 mph cross‑onshore wind. Combined energy is only 116 – weak. Tuesday and Wednesday stay onshore, short‑period 5–6 second slop. The cleanest early slot is Thursday 10 September morning: glassy with a light WSW breeze, but the swell drops to 3 ft from the ESE at 7 seconds. Energy down to 61. You might snag a few tiny ones, but it’s nothing special.

Friday and Saturday fade to 1–2 ft, cross‑shore winds. Then a slight bump on Tuesday 15 September morning: 4 ft NE swell, light cross‑off winds, 6‑second period – energy 123, still weak but clean. Wednesday 16 September morning offers similar 4 ft ENE, clean but short period (5 seconds). That’s the high point, and it’s not high.

After that it’s all downhill: Thursday through Tuesday 22 September show weak energy (mostly under 100), onshore or cross‑onshore winds, and tiny surf. No real standouts – just a couple of clean mornings with knee‑high mush.

Honestly, there aren’t any good surf options in this 16‑day window. Pelican Watch is usually fairly consistent, but this stretch is a bust. Keep your board handy – forecasts change – but right now it’s a long flat spell.

– Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Thu morning, min 25°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Mon afternoon, calm by Thu morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 29°C on Thu afternoon, min 25°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Mon
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
E
6
1.6
E
7
1.3
E
7
1.3
E
6
1.1
ESE
6
1.3
ESE
7
1
ESE
7
0.9
ESE
6
0.9
SE
6
0.9
SE
6
0.6
SE
7
0.6
ESE
7
0.6
ESE
7
0.4
ESE
7
0.5
SE
7
0.4
SE
9
0.5
SE
10
0.5
SE
10
0.5
SE
9
0.5
SE
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
225
236
150
127
104
153
93
67
54
56
35
32
32
19
23
26
45
46
43
39
Wind (km/h)
30
ENE
25
ENE
25
ENE
25
ENE
10
E
15
E
15
ESE
10
S
5
SSE
20
SSE
15
SW
0
SW
20
S
0
ENE
10
ESE
10
SE
5
WSW
5
SSE
15
S
5
SW
Wind State
on
on
cross-on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
glassy
cross
cross-off
High Tide
5:23PM1.68m
5:42AM1.29m
6:19PM1.70m
6:39AM1.41m
7:10PM1.71m
7:30AM1.51m
7:57PM1.68m
8:18AM1.59m
8:41PM1.62m
9:03AM1.64m
9:23PM1.53m
9:47AM1.65m
10:04PM1.43m
Low Tide
11:44PM0.14m
11:37AM0.00m
00:35AM0.08m
12:36PM-0.04m
1:20AM0.02m
1:30PM-0.05m
2:03AM-0.01m
2:21PM-0.05m
2:43AM-0.01m
3:09PM-0.01m
3:21AM0.01m
3:55PM0.05m
3:59AM0.06m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
rain showers
part cloud
clear
thunderstorm
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
thunderstorm
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:48
6:50
6:50
6:50
6:52
6:52
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:29
7:28
7:27
7:24
7:23
7:22
7:21
 mm
1
4
2
Temp °C
27
26
26
26
26
27
27
26
28
29
27
29
29
28
28
29
28
29
30
29
Feels °C
24
24
24
24
26
28
27
27
31
30
30
33
31
31
30
31
30
33
32
32
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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