Surf Forecasts:
Pelican Watch surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 23 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 7s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 22 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 7s period, SSW swell with 408 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 23 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 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 Thursday (Jul 23) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m 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 2.1m 7s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 22) 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 1.6m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pelican Watch over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Gotta be straight with you—this 16-day window for Pelican Watch is a tough one. There’s a big dry spell at the start, with no real surf on offer from Sunday, July 19th, right through until the end of the week. The first few days are all blown out by strong cross-off winds, and the swell is mostly short-period, weak stuff under 5 ft with poor energy.
The first glimpse of anything rideable comes on Thursday morning, July 23rd. The wind finally swings offshore, light from the WSW, and the water temp is about average for this time of year. The swell is a modest 4 ft from the SSW, but with a short period of 7 seconds, it’s not packing much punch. The combined energy is moderate (173), but it’s surfable—just. The waves will be clean, but it’s beginner territory at best, and the crowds are often around this spot. Don’t expect anything special.
Thursday afternoon is a write-off, and Friday’s a mess with cross-onshore winds. Saturday morning (July 25th) is clean again but with tiny 2 ft waves and energy dropping to weak (65). Not worth paddling out for.
The best chance in this whole forecast comes on Sunday, July 26th, in the afternoon. Glassy conditions, wind from the east at just 3 mph, and the swell is 2 ft from the east with an 8-second period. The energy is weak (70) and the waves are just ordinary, but it’s the cleanest surf you’ll get. The 2 ft, east swell is small, but with glassy conditions, longboarders might find a few fun little runners. The crowds are often, so expect company.
Monday morning July 27th is also glassy, but the swell drops to 2 ft with even weaker energy (50). After that, it’s a long, slow fade into August. From Tuesday July 28th through to Monday August 3rd, the swell barely reaches 2 ft, the period is short, and the energy stays weak (under 40). The wind is mostly cross-off or offshore, but with these tiny mushy waves, it’s just not doing anything for a surfer.
The standout, if you can call it that, is Sunday afternoon July 26th—small, glassy, and clean. But overall, Pelican Watch is a lean run. For an exposed beginner spot, it’s a bit of a bummer, but the forecasts can change. Keep an eye on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Mon night. Warm (max 32°C on Sun afternoon, min 28°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 55mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 30°C on Wed morning, min 22°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Tue night, light winds from the WNW by Thu afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SSW 6 | E 13 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | E 12 | ESE 8 | S 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | S 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 0 | 129 | 3 | 169 | 100 | 3 | 6 | 108 | 0 | 290 | 186 | 278 | 163 | 157 | 209 | 42 | 55 | 43 | 45 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 11:52PM1.44m | 12:31PM1.36m | 00:41AM1.29m | 1:26PM1.35m | 1:32AM1.14m | 2:23PM1.34m | 2:26AM1.03m | 3:20PM1.34m | 3:23AM0.94m | 4:16PM1.35m | 4:22AM0.91m | 5:09PM1.37m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:05AM-0.06m | 6:30PM0.10m | 6:50AM-0.00m | 7:31PM0.18m | 7:37AM0.06m | 8:36PM0.25m | 8:25AM0.11m | 9:42PM0.28m | 9:15AM0.14m | 10:45PM0.28m | 10:07AM0.16m | 11:40PM0.26m | |||||||
 | | |  |  |  | |  | |  | | | | | |  |  | |  | |
 | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — |
 | 8:22 | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:20 | — | — | 8:20 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:17 | — |
mm | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 13 | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | 17 | 6 | 15 | 15 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 31 | 32 | 29 | 31 | 32 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 24 | 22 | 28 | 28 |
Feels °C | 29 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 32 | 32 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 32 | 33 | 24 | 20 | 28 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | — | — | — | ESE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 7 | S 6 | SE 8 | ENE 6 | ESE 8 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 | — | — | — | 8 | 24 | 18 | 16 | 85 | 38 | 31 | 25 | 41 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 13 | E 13 | — | — | E 12 | — | — | — | — | SE 9 | — | — | — | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 6 | ESE 8 | SSW 6 |
| kJ | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | 14 | — | — | — | 16 | 15 | 12 | 43 | 6 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 6 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | S 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | S 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 |
| kJ | 145 | 129 | 176 | 169 | 100 | 119 | 122 | 108 | 135 | 290 | 186 | 278 | 163 | 157 | 209 | 42 | 55 | 41 | 45 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 351 | 363 | 642 | 243 | 22 | 263 | 454 | 88 | 1230 | 352 | 352 | 352 | 19 | 0 | 23 | 459 | 465 | 23 | 3 |
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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