
Surf Forecasts:
Pelican Watch surf forecast from 29 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 29 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 3 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 7s period, S swell with 226 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 29 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 Wednesday (Jul 29) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 8s. 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 1.6m 7s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 03) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 02) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Wed 29th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Wed 29th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pelican Watch over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ve gotta be straight with you – this 16-day stretch for Pelican Watch is a real mixed bag, and the first week is a tough slog. We’ve got a long dry spell of tiny, messy waves before things finally wake up, and the real gem is tucked away in the second week. Let’s break it down.
The opening days are a write-off. From Wednesday the 29th of July right through to the end of the first week, we’re looking at hardly any swell worth paddling for. The water’s sitting at a warm 83°, which is about average for this time of year, but that’s little comfort when the waves are mostly below 3 ft, with short, weak periods around 5-7 seconds and combined energy values barely scraping into the double digits (48-64). Winds are a mix of cross-on and onshore, keeping things choppy and messy. There’s a glimmer of hope on Monday the 3rd of August when the swell jumps to 5 ft and the energy hits 204-235, but it’s still a bit of a gamble with dodgy tide conditions and stormy winds. Honestly, not worth the drive.
Then we hit a proper lull. Tuesday the 4th through Friday the 7th of August is a dead zone – tiny waist-high slop, glassy at times but with hardly any push. The combined energy drops to as low as 20-58, and the swell is barely 2 ft. It’s the kind of flat spell that’ll have you checking the forecast more than your board.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. The standout is Saturday the 8th of August. That morning, the stars align. We’ve got a solid 5 ft swell from the SE, with a long, juicy 12-second period – that’s proper groundswell energy. The combined energy is a meaty 526, which is strong, and the wind is a clean offshore from the W, making for a glassy face. This is the pick of the window. The break is a fairly consistent beginner spot, but with that long-period swell, it’ll be peeling nicely, though it might be a bit too straight for the beach break; the point will hold it better. Crowds are possible here, so get in early. The afternoon stays rideable at 5 ft with even more energy (700), but the wind swings cross-off, so it’s a little less clean.
Sunday the 9th of August keeps the run going with 4 ft from the ESE, still a solid 11-second period, and light cross-off winds. Energy is still high at 387. Good, clean waves, but it’s not quite the peak of Saturday morning. Monday the 10th of August sees the swell drop to 3 ft, but the period hangs at 11 seconds, and the morning has light cross-off winds. Energy is 253 – still moderate. After that, the second week fades out with smaller, weaker swells and more questionable winds, but honestly, Saturday morning the 8th is the one to circle on your calendar.
So, if you’re keen, lock in that Saturday 8th of August for the best chance at a proper session. The rest of the run is a wait-and-hope game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 33°C on Wed afternoon, min 23°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 40mm), heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 29°C on Sat morning, min 24°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 6 | ESE 7 | SSE 7 | S 6 | S 7 | SSE 7 | S 6 | S 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 5 | SE 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 7 | S 7 | S 7 | SSW 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
33 | 5 | 38 | 30 | 59 | 48 | 30 | 45 | 53 | 36 | 34 | 66 | 39 | 64 | 197 | 204 | 202 | 51 | 41 | 33 | 25 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 8:14AM1.08m | 8:39PM1.53m | 8:53AM1.12m | 9:14PM1.52m | 9:31AM1.18m | 9:49PM1.50m | 10:10AM1.23m | 10:24PM1.45m | 10:50AM1.29m | 11:02PM1.38m | 11:33AM1.34m | 11:43PM1.30m | 12:22PM1.40m | 00:29AM1.21m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:57PM0.05m | 2:59AM0.09m | 2:37PM0.04m | 3:32AM0.06m | 3:17PM0.05m | 4:03AM0.05m | 3:58PM0.07m | 4:36AM0.03m | 4:43PM0.09m | 5:10AM0.03m | 5:32PM0.13m | 5:48AM0.02m | 6:27PM0.17m | ||||||||
6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | |
— | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:09 | — | |
mm | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 1 |
Temp °C | 29 | 33 | 31 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 |
Feels °C | 31 | 32 | 32 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 6 | ESE 7 | SSE 7 | S 6 | S 7 | SSE 7 | S 6 | S 7 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 8 | — | SE 7 | — | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 |
33 | 5 | 36 | 30 | 59 | 48 | 30 | 45 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 16 | — | 136 | — | 33 | 31 | 25 | 25 | 25 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | SE 10 | SSW 6 | E 8 | SE 9 | SE 10 | ENE 4 | ESE 9 | — | SE 7 | E 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSW 5 |
11 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 8 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 41 | 33 | 9 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | E 6 | E 9 | — | E 8 | — | SE 10 | E 4 | — | E 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
4 | 1 | 2 | — | 1 | — | 4 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 6 | SW 6 | — | — | — | — | ENE 4 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 5 | SE 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 7 | S 7 | S 7 | SSW 6 | S 6 | S 6 | — |
— | 23 | 38 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 53 | 36 | 34 | 66 | 39 | 64 | 197 | 204 | 202 | 51 | 23 | 16 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 23 | 54 | 0 | 54 | 54 | 527 | 138 | 837 | 519 | 945 | 1670 | 142 | 219 | 363 | 321 | 119 | 321 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 129 |
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.










