Surf Forecasts:
Pelican Watch surf forecast from 22 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 8s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 22 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period, SSW swell with 135 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 24 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 8s 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 Friday (Jul 24) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 8s period. 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 1.4m 6s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 2PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pelican Watch over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the menu for the next couple of weeks.
Well, I gotta be straight with you—it’s a pretty grim run of small, weak surf. The first week is basically a write-off, with nothing but tiny, poor-condition waves. The combined wave energy is weak, barely hitting triple digits, and it’s mostly short-period, wind-affected slop. You’d be better off finding a new hobby for a few days.
The first bit of hope comes right at the end of the month, on Wednesday the 29th of July. The morning sees a bump in energy, with a combined swell reading of 125 (moderate), pushing a 3 ft swell from the SSE. The wind is a cross-off, so the face will be clean, but it’s a short period of 7 seconds, so don't expect any push. It's still just ordinary.
The real standout, if you can call it that, shows up on Monday the 3rd of August at Pelican Watch. We’ve got a 3 ft S swell, nothing to write home about, but finally there’s a bit of life in the water. The wind is light and cross-off from the NNW, keeping it clean. The combined energy is a paltry 52 (weak), but it’s the best we’ve seen in a fortnight. Just keep your expectations low—it’s a beginner-friendly break that’s *fairly consistent*, though crowds are likely. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, sitting at 84°.
From there, it’s back to the doldrums. The rest of the forecast is a whole lot of nothing. The second week fades into tiny, weak, and poorly directed surf. The setup is too weak for any real fun, and honestly, if the wind picks up, it might be more interesting for a kite session than a paddle.
So, my advice? If you’re desperate, Monday the 3rd of August is your window. It’s not great, but it’s the only game in town. For everything else, save your energy.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 29mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 30°C on Wed afternoon, min 24°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Wed afternoon, calm by Thu afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Sat afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Mon morning, min 21°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 6 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSW 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 135 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 16 | 16 | 45 | 51 | 39 | 50 | 37 | 39 | 41 | 47 | 33 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 14 | 13 | 125 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 3:20PM1.34m | 3:23AM0.94m | 4:16PM1.35m | 4:22AM0.91m | 5:09PM1.37m | 5:17AM0.91m | 5:58PM1.41m | 6:07AM0.93m | 6:43PM1.45m | 6:52AM0.98m | 7:24PM1.49m | 7:34AM1.02m | 8:03PM1.52m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:25AM0.11m | 9:42PM0.28m | 9:15AM0.14m | 10:45PM0.28m | 10:07AM0.16m | 11:40PM0.26m | 10:58AM0.15m | 00:28AM0.23m | 11:47AM0.12m | 1:11AM0.20m | 12:33PM0.09m | 1:49AM0.16m | 1:16PM0.06m | 2:25AM0.12m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | | | | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — |
 | — | 8:20 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:17 | — | — | 8:17 | — | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — |
mm | — | — | 1 | 2 | 5 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 3 | — | 7 | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | 29 |
Temp °C | 29 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 31 | 29 |
Feels °C | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 32 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 32 | 30 | 30 | 32 | 32 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 |
| kJ | 21 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 16 | 16 | 45 | 51 | 39 | 50 | 37 | 39 | 41 | 47 | 33 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 14 | 13 | 12 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 4 | — | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 4 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | NE 6 | — | — | — | ESE 8 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 1 | — | — | — | 26 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 6 | E 6 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | S 6 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | — | NE 4 | — | — | SSW 5 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 |
| kJ | 135 | 118 | 109 | 84 | 62 | 84 | 42 | 27 | 11 | 17 | 14 | — | 3 | — | — | 9 | 23 | 78 | 99 | 153 | 125 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 351 | 321 | 304 | 119 | 3 | 110 | 3 | 0 | 54 | 0 | 23 | 54 | 54 | 243 | 278 | 298 | 578 | 578 | 575 | 359 | 0 |
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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