Surf Forecasts:
Pelican Watch surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 5s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s period, S swell with 80 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 5s period with S 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 (Aug 28) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m and 5s 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 1.1m 6s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 6s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 5s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 5s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pelican Watch over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, let's talk about what's in store for us at our local spot.
Honestly, for the next week and a half, it's looking pretty grim. We've got a long stretch of nothing but tiny, weak, and messy surf ahead. The small window of opportunity doesn't show up until the start of September, but even then, it's nothing to write home about.
From now through the end of August, we're looking at flat, poor conditions. Swell is minimal, barely hitting 2 ft, with short, weak periods and mostly onshore or cross-onshore winds. The first real standout doesn't come around until Wednesday, the 2nd of September, on the morning session at Pelican Watch. We finally get a little pulse of energy with a combined energy of (110) and a long-period 12-second groundswell out of the ESE pushing in at 1 ft. The real win here is the light cross-offshore breeze from the SSW, which will clean things right up. The water temp is about average for this time of the year at 84°. Keep in mind, with that long period, it might be a bit straight for a beach break, but with those tiny conditions, it's the best we've got.
Following that, Thursday and Friday mornings, September 3rd, 4th, and even the 6th, offer similar glimpses of hope. We’ll see slight bumps in height up to 2 ft or 3 ft with clean conditions thanks to light cross-offshore or glassy winds, but the energy stays low. The small, weak surf and that light offshore wind on the 6th will make for some clean, rideable knee-high waves.
If you're a beginner, the tiny swell in the first week is safe, but not worth the paddle out. For the regular crew, that Wednesday morning on the 2nd of September is the only time to seriously consider wetting a line.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 29°C on Tue afternoon, min 25°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Sat morning. Warm (max 30°C on Fri afternoon, min 25°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | ||||||||||||||
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 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | S 5 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 28 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 17 | 30 | 32 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 36 | 25 | 20 | 19 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:55PM1.50m | 7:06AM1.17m | 7:32PM1.54m | 7:45AM1.26m | 8:08PM1.56m | 8:23AM1.34m | 8:43PM1.55m | 9:01AM1.42m | 9:19PM1.52m | 9:40AM1.49m | 9:56PM1.46m | 10:22AM1.55m | 10:36PM1.39m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:12AM0.20m | 12:54PM0.10m | 1:46AM0.15m | 1:36PM0.07m | 2:18AM0.10m | 2:16PM0.05m | 2:50AM0.06m | 2:58PM0.04m | 3:23AM0.04m | 3:41PM0.05m | 3:57AM0.03m | 4:27PM0.08m | 4:34AM0.03m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | |  | | |  | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — |
 | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:38 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 7 | 4 | 1 | 9 | 1 | — | 4 | 2 | — | — | 3 | — | 5 | 3 | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 28 |
Feels °C | 29 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 32 | 29 | 31 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 5 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 5 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | S 5 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 |
| kJ | 8 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 11 | 30 | 32 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 18 | 26 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 36 | 25 | 20 | 19 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SSE 5 | S 4 | ESE 3 | S 4 | ESE 9 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 | E 11 | ESE 8 | ESE 5 | E 10 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | E 10 | E 9 | E 16 | SE 16 |
| kJ | 28 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 17 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 26 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 10 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | E 7 | E 6 | S 4 | E 4 | ESE 8 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | E 10 | SE 6 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | — | — | E 9 | E 8 |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 2 | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | ESE 3 | — | S 4 | — | S 5 | S 6 | S 6 | S 5 | S 5 | — | S 5 | SSW 4 | — | S 4 | — | — | S 2 | SSW 2 |
| kJ | — | — | 1 | — | 5 | — | 16 | 118 | 39 | 37 | 24 | — | 7 | 4 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1155 | 575 | 892 | 2032 | 575 | 294 | 1121 | 82 | 142 | 298 | 0 | 129 | 282 | 878 | 895 | 1155 | 1160 | 642 | 1231 | 1670 |
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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