Surf Forecasts:
Pelican Watch surf forecast from 5 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 12 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 6s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 9 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 6s period, SSW swell with 225 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 6s period with SSW 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 (Jul 12) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s is also forecast. 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 Thursday (Jul 09) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 09) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sun 12th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sun 12th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Thu 9th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pelican Watch over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what Pelican Watch has cooking for the next couple of weeks.
To be honest, the start is pretty grim. From Sunday the 5th all the way through the middle of the following week, it’s flat and poor. The swell is almost non-existent, mostly under 3 feet, and when there is a tiny bump, the wind is messing it up or the period is way too short. It’s going to be a real patience tester.
The first hint of anything surfable shows up Wednesday morning the 8th. We get a bump in combined energy up to (200) with a 4ft swell from the SSW. But that 6-second period means it’s gonna be weak and soft. The wind is cross-offshore, keeping it glassy on the surface, but the overall quality is marginal. Worth a look, but nothing special. Then on Friday the 10th morning, we see a 5ft SSW swell with energy at (274) – still a short 7-second period holding it back. Clean conditions again, but the wave just lacks power.
Saturday the 11th morning is similar: 4ft SSW, energy at (230), clean cross-off wind. Surfable, but “ordinary” is the best way to put it. Water temp is 82°F, which is bang on average for this time of year – perfect for shorts and a rashie.
The one and only true standout comes way out on Saturday the 18th of July. That morning, we finally get a real pulse: 5ft swell from the S, carrying strong energy (230) with a clean cross-off breeze from the SW. This is the session to circle on your calendar. The waves will have some push, but at 5ft with a 7-second period, it’s not gnarly – still beginner-friendly, though the S direction isn’t the ideal SE. Crowds are listed as "often", so expect a few friendly faces in the lineup.
That little burst fades fast. By Sunday the 19th it’s still 5ft but the wind picks up, and by Monday the 20th we’re back to tiny, weak dribble.
Bottom line: a long quiet spell, a few average mid-month mornings, and one clear winner on the 18th of July. That’s your window.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 33°C on Tue afternoon, min 27°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Warm (max 33°C on Wed afternoon, min 27°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 5 | S 6 | SE 10 | S 6 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SSW 6 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | ESE 9 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SE 9 | SE 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 26 | 17 | 17 | 24 | 50 | 23 | 63 | 22 | 20 | 98 | 21 | 22 | 26 | 20 | 207 | 171 | 9 | 175 | 149 | 14 | 21 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:03PM1.14m | 00:11AM1.30m | 12:52PM1.21m | 00:57AM1.22m | 1:45PM1.30m | 1:49AM1.15m | 2:43PM1.41m | 2:48AM1.09m | 3:44PM1.51m | 3:50AM1.06m | 4:45PM1.62m | 4:55AM1.06m | 5:46PM1.73m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:50PM0.16m | 6:28AM0.05m | 6:46PM0.18m | 7:09AM0.02m | 7:48PM0.19m | 7:56AM-0.00m | 8:56PM0.18m | 8:49AM-0.04m | 10:06PM0.14m | 9:46AM-0.08m | 11:12PM0.09m | 10:47AM-0.13m | 00:14AM0.02m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | |  |  |  | |  | |  |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — |
 | — | 8:25 | — | — | 8:25 | — | — | 8:25 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:24 | — |
mm | — | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 30 | 28 | 31 | 32 | 29 | 32 | 33 | 29 | 32 | 33 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 31 | 33 | 29 | 32 | 34 | 29 |
Feels °C | 31 | 31 | 30 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 33 | 33 | 29 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 27 | 32 | 32 | 28 | 32 | 33 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | SE 10 | S 6 | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 6 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SSE 7 | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 7 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | S 7 | ESE 9 | SE 9 |
| kJ | 26 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 23 | 63 | 22 | 20 | 62 | 21 | 22 | 26 | 20 | 20 | 92 | 9 | 9 | 72 | 9 | 21 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 4 | SE 6 | — | — | — | — | SE 10 | — | E 10 | SE 9 | — | E 12 | SE 9 | E 11 | E 8 | ESE 9 | E 10 | — | ESE 9 | SE 9 | E 9 |
| kJ | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 23 | — | 2 | 38 | — | 3 | 19 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 2 | — | 9 | 14 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 10 | — | — | — | — | E 10 | E 10 | — | — | — | E 9 | E 9 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 5 | S 6 | SSW 5 | — | SSW 5 | S 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 |
| kJ | 2 | 2 | 11 | 24 | 50 | 75 | — | 82 | 82 | 98 | 88 | 151 | 46 | 192 | 207 | 171 | 146 | 175 | 149 | 103 | 97 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 575 | 1002 | 454 | 2144 | 129 | 54 | 489 | 816 | 304 | 19 | 821 | 263 | 119 | 2032 | 352 | 19 | 527 | 532 | 54 | 527 | 489 |
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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