Surf Forecasts:
Pelican Watch surf forecast from 13 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 14 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 7s period, E swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 7s period, SSW swell with 276 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 14 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 7s period with E 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 (Jul 14) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 7s 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 1.8m 7s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) 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 1.4m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Tue 14th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Tue 14th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pelican Watch over the next 16 days.
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer.
Honestly, mate, for the next two weeks it's a bit of a grim stretch at Pelican Watch. We’re looking at a real dry spell with a lot of poor surf conditions in the forecast. From Monday the 13th right through to early the following week, you’re mostly looking at tiny, weak, wind-chopped slop. There’s a gap of days here where you’d struggle to get a decent ride, so don't rush for the board.
The first real sign of life doesn't show up until later. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing wild there.
Now, if you’re keen to scratch an itch, the one period that stands out is Sunday the 19th through Monday the 20th. On Sunday afternoon, a bit of a pulse pushes through – we get a 6 ft swell from the SSW, but the energy is moderate, sitting around 205 units. The wind is a clean cross-offshore, so the surface will be tidy. That sets us up for Monday morning the 20th, with a solid 5 ft SSW swell. The combined energy jumps to 333, making it the most powerful of the whole run. The wind is still cross-off, so expect clean, lined-up waves. This is for experts only though; that size gets a bit proper, and the short period (7 seconds) means the waves will be a little dumpy and sectiony. It’s the best on offer, but it’s still a marginal call with questionable tide conditions noted.
Later on, Wednesday the 23rd morning has another pulse – 4 ft SSW with 215 units of energy and clean cross-off wind. Again, short period, but it’s surfable.
The only other spot that has a hint of a chance is Friday the 24th afternoon. The swell is a tiny 2 ft from the S, but the wind goes glassy. The energy is weak at 52, but if you’re desperate for a glide on a foamie, you might get a few crumbly ones.
After that, it trails off into tiny, weak junk through the end of the forecast.
So, to sum it up: keep your eyes on Monday the 20th for the biggest, cleanest swell, but it’s for experienced crew only. Other than that, the waiting game is on.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Sun night. Warm (max 29°C on Sun night, min 22°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Thu afternoon, min 26°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sun 19 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | S 5 | ESE 8 | S 5 | S 5 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | E 8 | SSW 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 32 | 29 | 28 | 35 | 34 | 44 | 27 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 6 | 13 | 13 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 205 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:59AM1.15m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:11AM-0.04m | 12:47PM-0.22m | 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 | |||||||
 | | |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — |
 | 8:23 | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 |
mm | 8 | 4 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 26 | 27 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
Feels °C | 31 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 32 | 28 | 33 | 32 | 34 | 31 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SE 9 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 7 | SE 9 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | S 5 | ESE 8 | S 5 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | — | — |
| kJ | 32 | 29 | 16 | 35 | 34 | 21 | 27 | 12 | 12 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 6 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 3 | — | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SW 4 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | — | ESE 8 | E 6 | ESE 8 | E 6 | E 6 | — | E 8 | — |
| kJ | 5 | 4 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 1 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 7 | 7 | 3 | — | 6 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 7 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SW 4 | SSW 4 | — | — | S 4 | — | — | — | E 15 | E 6 | — | E 6 | E 13 | E 13 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 4 | 3 | — | 1 | 4 | 3 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 3 | ENE 3 | — | — | — | E 7 | — | — | — | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | SSW 3 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | — | S 5 | S 4 | S 5 | S 6 | SSW 6 |
| kJ | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | 44 | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 7 | 18 | 22 | 27 | — | 13 | 13 | 57 | 86 | 205 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 142 | 54 | 54 | 0 | 23 | 770 | 54 | 253 | 728 | 630 | 1583 | 1117 | 723 | 837 | 837 | 837 | 1580 | 2032 | 685 | 561 | 352 |
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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