Surf Forecasts:
Pelican Watch surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 12s period, SE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period, S swell with 78 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 12s 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. 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 1.0m 6s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pelican Watch over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here.
Let's be straight with you. For the next 16 days at Pelican Watch, the surf situation is pretty grim. There's nothing here that would get me out of bed in a hurry. The whole stretch is looking at tiny, weak waves and messy conditions. The first real chance for a wave, and I use that term loosely, doesn't show up until Tuesday afternoon the 18th of August, and even then it's a sad 2ft on a cross-offshore wind. The combined swell energy is weak, hanging around the 20-90 mark.
You're looking at a long, flat run from the 31st of August right through to the 2nd of September, with nothing but knee-high slop and onshore winds. For a break that's only "fairly consistent" and exposed to a SE swell, this is a pretty poor run. The water temp is a balmy 82°, which is bang on average for this time of year, so at least you won't be cold while you're sitting there watching nothing happen.
The one standout, if you can call it that, is the early morning of Saturday the 22nd of August. We get a little 2ft bump with a glassy, dead-calm wind from the WNW. The swell period is a pathetic 5 seconds though, so it's just wind chop. Energy is only 41, so it's going to be weak. It's the sort of session you'd go for a paddle and a laugh, not to actually catch anything decent. For a beginner break, it's fine, but don't expect a wave.
Honestly, there is nothing else worth recommending. The wind is nearly always cross or onshore, and the swell is tiny. Don't bother checking the cams until the forecast changes.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 33°C on Tue afternoon, min 26°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 43mm), heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 29°C on Fri afternoon, min 23°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 5 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | S 5 | S 5 | ESE 13 | SSW 6 | ESE 12 | S 6 | SE 12 | S 6 | S 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 35 | 75 | 48 | 42 | 40 | 30 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 54 | 15 | 78 | 35 | 30 | 21 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | glassy | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:43PM1.42m | 00:51AM1.11m | 1:37PM1.38m | 1:43AM1.01m | 2:35PM1.35m | 2:42AM0.95m | 3:36PM1.34m | 3:45AM0.93m | 4:35PM1.36m | 4:45AM0.96m | 5:28PM1.40m | 5:38AM1.01m | 6:14PM1.45m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:57PM0.24m | 6:47AM0.16m | 7:58PM0.31m | 7:36AM0.22m | 9:04PM0.36m | 8:31AM0.25m | 10:09PM0.37m | 9:31AM0.26m | 11:06PM0.34m | 10:29AM0.23m | 11:54PM0.30m | 11:22AM0.19m | 00:36AM0.26m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | |  |  |  | |  | | | |  | | | | | |
 | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — |
 | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:47 | — |
mm | — | — | 1 | — | — | 3 | — | — | 3 | 3 | 1 | 25 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 3 | — | 2 | 2 | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 32 | 33 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 28 | 31 | 32 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 28 |
Feels °C | 36 | 34 | 35 | 35 | 36 | 33 | 35 | 33 | 31 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 32 | 30 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | S 5 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | SSW 6 | ESE 12 | S 6 | S 6 | ESE 11 | S 5 |
| kJ | 27 | 75 | 48 | 42 | 40 | 30 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 16 | 7 | 54 | 15 | 47 | 22 | 13 | 21 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | E 5 | — | SSW 4 | SW 5 | SSW 5 | SSE 4 | E 7 | E 6 | E 15 | SE 15 | SE 14 | ESE 9 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 8 | ESE 12 | SE 12 | ESE 9 | ESE 11 |
| kJ | 35 | 1 | — | 4 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 7 | 14 | 35 | 8 | 12 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 4 | E 5 | — | — | — | SSE 3 | SSW 4 | — | — | E 6 | E 6 | SE 10 | SE 14 | — | E 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | ESE 8 | E 7 | E 8 | ESE 9 |
| kJ | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | — | 5 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 3 | SSW 4 | — | SSW 4 | — | — | S 4 | S 4 | S 5 | S 5 | S 5 | — | S 5 | S 5 | SSW 6 | S 6 | S 6 | — | S 6 | — |
| kJ | — | 3 | 7 | — | 4 | — | — | 5 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 22 | — | 20 | 29 | 93 | 58 | 78 | — | 30 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 278 | 99 | 138 | 54 | 974 | 923 | 1205 | 253 | 129 | 2336 | 23 | 23 | 282 | 54 | 0 | 59 | 0 | 0 | 548 | 282 |
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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