Surf Forecasts:
Pelican Watch surf forecast from 13 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 7s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 7s period, SSW swell with 459 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 7s 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 7s 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 2.2m 7s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pelican Watch over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's chew the fat on what's coming up for the next couple of weeks.
We're in for a pretty quiet start, no two ways about it. The first week is mostly flat and messy. The one real bright spot is that Monday, the 20th, but we've got a bit of a dry spell to get through first.
From Monday the 13th through Thursday the 16th, it's all tiny, weak slop. The combined energy is barely a whisper at 52 on the Monday, and it just keeps dropping. Wind is onshore or cross-onshore, so it's choppy and not worth a second look.
Friday the 17th and Saturday the 18th clean up a bit with some nice cross-offshore winds, but the swell is pathetic – we're talking 0.6ft to 2ft. Not enough to push you down the line.
Sunday the 19th sees a pulse. The morning brings 4ft of south swell, with a short 6-second period, and the combined energy hits 211. That's moderate energy, but the short period means it's going to be a bit fat and gutless. The wind is clean and cross-offshore, so it'll look pretty, but it's still a bit iffy. The afternoon gets bigger, hitting 5ft, but the wind cranks up to 25 km/h, making it a tough paddle.
Now, here's the session to lock in. Monday, 20th July. The afternoon is the pick of the entire forecast. You've got a solid 5ft south-southwest swell with a clean, light cross-offshore breeze from the same direction. That's going to put a glassy lid on Pelican Watch. The combined energy is a healthy 212 (the combined energy of all swells directed here). The water is a warm 83°F, which is normal for this time of year.
After that, it's back to the doldrums. The rest of the forecast window is filled with tiny, weak swells, often with onshore winds or building afternoon breezes. The energy drops right off.
So, the bottom line is this: the first real surf doesn't show up until the afternoon of Monday the 20th. Head to Pelican Watch. It's a beginner-friendly wave, and with that light offshore wind, it'll be clean as a whistle. Just keep in mind that it’s a popular spot, so it'll likely be busy. That's the only true standout in this 16-day stretch.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Thu morning, min 26°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sun morning. Warm (max 33°C on Fri afternoon, min 27°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mon 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | E 7 | E 7 | E 6 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | S 4 | ESE 8 | S 6 | ESE 8 | S 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | S 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 28 | 34 | 45 | 40 | 25 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 11 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 13 | 21 | 6 | 132 | 188 | 225 | 124 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on |
High Tide | 7:40PM1.85m | 7:57AM1.22m | 8:33PM1.85m | 8:52AM1.28m | 9:25PM1.80m | 9:47AM1.33m | 10:15PM1.71m | 10:41AM1.36m | 11:04PM1.59m | 11:36AM1.37m | 11:52PM1.44m | 12:31PM1.36m | 00:41AM1.29m | 1:26PM1.35m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 4:35PM-0.10m | 5:19AM-0.10m | 5:31PM-0.00m | 6:05AM-0.06m | 6:30PM0.10m | 6:50AM-0.00m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  |  |  |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 |
 | 8:23 | — | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — | 8:21 |
mm | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 32 | 33 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 32 | 33 | 30 | 29 |
Feels °C | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 31 | 33 | 33 | 31 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | E 7 | SE 9 | SE 9 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | ESE 6 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | S 4 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | S 6 | — | — | E 12 |
| kJ | 22 | 34 | 26 | 21 | 25 | 18 | 19 | 12 | 16 | 19 | 11 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 79 | — | — | 3 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SE 9 | — | SW 4 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | E 6 | E 6 | — | E 6 | E 6 | ESE 8 | E 13 | E 13 | — | — | E 8 | — | — |
| kJ | 28 | 29 | — | 1 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 6 | 7 | — | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 3 | — | — | 1 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 5 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | SW 5 | SW 5 | — | — | — | E 15 | — | — | E 6 | SE 13 | — | E 13 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | 1 | 7 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 7 | E 6 | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 3 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | — | S 5 | S 6 | S 4 | S 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | S 7 |
| kJ | — | — | 45 | 40 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 7 | 2 | 15 | — | 7 | 21 | 24 | 132 | 188 | 225 | 124 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 837 | 110 | 489 | 23 | 23 | 129 | 282 | 527 | 1763 | 532 | 489 | 842 | 700 | 766 | 856 | 913 | 575 | 19 | 304 | 0 | 23 |
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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