
Surf Forecasts:
Pelican Watch surf forecast from 10 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 11 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 6s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 11 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 6s period, SSW swell with 170 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 10 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 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 Friday (Jul 10) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. 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 1.5m 6s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 11) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be 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 Friday (Jul 10) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Fri 10th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sat 11th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sat 11th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pelican Watch over the next 16 days.
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what Pelican Watch has got cookin' for us over the next couple of weeks. Gotta be honest, it's a bit of a slow burner, but there are a few windows where it might just come alive.
Right off the bat, the water temp is sitting at a warm 83°F, which is about average for this time of year, so no nasty surprises when you hit the water.
The first real chance to grab a wave comes early on Saturday, July 11th. We're looking at a 3ft SSW swell, but the period is a short 6 seconds – that’s windswell, so expect some lumpy, weak waves. The wind is offshore from the west at a steady 12 mph though, which will clean it up nicely. The combined energy is weak at just 94, so you'll be working for it. It’s nothing special, but it’s surfable.
For a standout, you’ve got to look at Wednesday morning, July 15th. The ocean just goes flat, glassy calm with zero wind. The swell is tiny at 2ft from the east with a 7-second period (57 combined energy), but when it's that clean, even a dribbler looks fun on a log. For the absolute best on offer, though, save your energy for Monday afternoon, July 20th. The swell builds to 5ft from the south with a 7-second period and a combined energy of a moderate 233. The winds are cross-offshore from the SSW at 16 mph, keeping things clean. This is the biggest, most powerful swell of the whole run, but it’s a short-period windswell, so expect it to be a bit quick and dumpy – likely one for the more experienced crew.
Now, the bad news. There are a few long gaps. After Wednesday the 15th, it pretty much flatlines through to the 18th. Then again, after Monday the 21st, it’s mostly poor conditions until Wednesday morning, July 22nd, where a 4ft SSW swell with clean offshore winds (135 moderate energy) offers another small, clean window. The following week trails off again with only small, weak pulses.
Because the swell is short-period and rarely gets above a mediocre size, nothing here is a guaranteed gem. On the biggest swells (over 5ft but under 8ft), and with the wind being cross-off or offshore, this beach break might actually be a better setup for kite surfing than a pure paddle session, especially when the energy spikes but the quality is labelled "poor".
Keep an eye on that forecast for Monday the 20th, but don't hold your breath for anything epic in this stretch.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Sun night. Warm (max 34°C on Sat afternoon, min 24°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Fri night, light winds from the NNE by Sun morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Warm (max 28°C on Wed afternoon, min 23°C on Wed morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Mon afternoon, calm by Wed morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 8 | SE 9 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SE 9 | SSW 6 | S 6 | SE 10 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 4 | ESE 6 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
18 | 20 | 170 | 80 | 13 | 55 | 39 | 26 | 66 | 116 | 138 | 71 | 38 | 38 | 48 | 23 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 10 | 12 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:45PM1.62m | 4:55AM1.06m | 5:46PM1.73m | 5:58AM1.09m | 6:44PM1.80m | 6:59AM1.15m | 7:40PM1.85m | 7:57AM1.22m | 8:33PM1.85m | 8:52AM1.28m | 9:25PM1.80m | 9:47AM1.33m | 10:15PM1.71m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:46AM-0.08m | 11:12PM0.09m | 10:47AM-0.13m | 00:14AM0.02m | 11:48AM-0.18m | 1:11AM-0.04m | 12:47PM-0.22m | 2:05AM-0.09m | 1:46PM-0.24m | 2:56AM-0.12m | 2:43PM-0.22m | 3:45AM-0.14m | 3:39PM-0.17m | 4:32AM-0.13m | |||||||
6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | |
— | 8:24 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | |
mm | — | — | 1 | — | — | 3 | — | 2 | 7 | 6 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 32 | 33 | 29 | 31 | 34 | 30 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 27 |
Feels °C | 32 | 32 | 28 | 30 | 33 | 32 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 9 | SSW 6 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SSW 6 | S 6 | S 6 | SE 10 | SSW 5 | — | SE 6 | SE 5 | SE 9 | SE 9 | E 7 | E 6 | E 7 | SSE 4 | SE 8 | ESE 8 |
18 | 20 | 82 | 12 | 13 | 55 | 39 | 26 | 33 | 3 | — | 20 | 10 | 21 | 19 | 23 | 13 | 8 | 3 | 10 | 12 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | SE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | SW 5 | SE 9 | SE 9 | — | E 8 | SE 5 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | E 6 | E 7 |
2 | 2 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 19 | 21 | — | 5 | 14 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 3 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 9 | — | — | E 9 | — | — | S 7 | — | — | SW 5 | — | — | — | SE 9 | — | — | E 6 | E 6 | — |
— | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 20 | — | — | 7 | 1 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | — | ENE 3 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 4 | ESE 6 | — | SE 5 | S 5 | SSW 3 | S 3 | SSW 4 |
37 | 111 | 170 | 80 | 66 | 102 | — | 5 | 66 | 116 | 138 | 71 | 38 | 38 | 48 | — | 13 | 12 | 1 | 8 | 13 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 54 | 527 | 0 | 0 | 82 | 0 | 3 | 140 | 73 | 358 | 837 | 110 | 110 | 321 | 30 | 0 | 701 | 642 | 548 | 727 | 351 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Carolina | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.










