Surf Forecasts:
Pelican Watch surf forecast from 24 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 30 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 7s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 30 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 7s period, SSW swell with 285 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 24 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 8s period with ESE 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 Friday (Jul 24) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 4s. 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 1.8m 7s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 30) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Monday (Jul 27) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 30th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Thu 30th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pelican Watch over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at the local surf scene on the cards for the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a slow burn for the immediate future. The next week or so is looking pretty flat and uninspiring, with a few half-hearted pulses that just don't have the grunt. We’ve got a real dry spell from now until the end of the month, with only a couple of sessions that are even worth paddling out for. The real interest, if you can call it that, doesn't start showing until the very end of the period.
The only spot on the radar is Pelican Watch. The water temp is sitting at a warm 84°, which is about what you'd expect for this time of year.
The first real chance at something comes on the morning of Thursday, July 30th. We’ve got a weak southerly swell pushing in at 3 ft, with a period of 7 seconds. The energy is moderate at best, coming in at 165, but the real story here is the wind. It’s forecast to be glassy, and that’s a massive positive for a spot that’s often blown out. It’ll be small, but clean. It’s the only time in the whole forecast where the conditions truly align for a decent session. This is your one standout, and it’s a shame it’s so small.
Before that, we have a few days with surfable but very ordinary waves. The morning of Wednesday, July 30th sees a 3 ft SSE swell with a 7-second period, and the wind is light, but it's just not enough to get excited about. The same goes for the morning of Monday, August 3rd, with a 3 ft SSE swell and light offshore winds, but again, it’s just a small, messy offering.
The rest of the period is a write-off with tiny, weak waves and poor winds. The afternoon of Thursday, July 30th is the only real highlight, and it’s a small one. Just a day for the longboard or a foiler if you’re keen.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 51mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 30°C on Fri afternoon, min 22°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Tue morning. Warm (max 30°C on Wed afternoon, min 24°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSE 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | SSE 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 53 | 50 | 39 | 45 | 37 | 40 | 42 | 50 | 30 | 29 | 23 | 19 | 24 | 26 | 23 | 74 | 61 | 107 | 76 | 106 | 48 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | glassy | cross |
High Tide | 5:09PM1.37m | 5:17AM0.91m | 5:58PM1.41m | 6:07AM0.93m | 6:43PM1.45m | 6:52AM0.98m | 7:24PM1.49m | 7:34AM1.02m | 8:03PM1.52m | 8:14AM1.08m | 8:39PM1.53m | 8:53AM1.12m | 9:14PM1.52m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:07AM0.16m | 11:40PM0.26m | 10:58AM0.15m | 00:28AM0.23m | 11:47AM0.12m | 1:11AM0.20m | 12:33PM0.09m | 1:49AM0.16m | 1:16PM0.06m | 2:25AM0.12m | 1:57PM0.05m | 2:59AM0.09m | 2:37PM0.04m | 3:32AM0.06m | |||||||
 | |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — |
 | — | 8:17 | — | — | 8:17 | — | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — |
mm | — | — | 8 | 3 | 12 | 25 | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | 1 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | — | 4 | 1 |
Temp °C | 29 | 30 | 28 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 28 |
Feels °C | 31 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 33 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | S 4 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSE 7 | SE 8 | E 9 | S 7 | S 7 | SSE 7 |
| kJ | 53 | 50 | 39 | 45 | 37 | 40 | 42 | 50 | 30 | 29 | 23 | 19 | 10 | 26 | 23 | 74 | 37 | 2 | 76 | 106 | 48 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 4 | — | — | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | S 5 | S 5 | NE 6 | E 6 | ESE 8 | E 6 | SSE 6 | SE 9 | E 9 | — | SE 8 | E 8 | SE 10 |
| kJ | 6 | — | — | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 24 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7 | — | 67 | 1 | 4 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | E 6 | E 6 | — | E 6 | SSW 5 | ENE 6 | — | SSE 6 | SE 10 | E 6 | — | E 6 | — | — | — | E 8 | E 8 | SE 10 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 4 | 6 | — | 3 | 4 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 4 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 3 | SSW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | — | NE 4 | — | SSW 2 | SSW 3 | SSW 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | SSW 4 | WSW 4 | S 7 | S 7 | — | SSW 7 | ENE 2 |
| kJ | — | 8 | 7 | 5 | 4 | — | 5 | — | 1 | 4 | 13 | 25 | 14 | 5 | 10 | 13 | 61 | 107 | — | 57 | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 243 | 54 | 22 | 54 | 23 | 54 | 821 | 129 | 253 | 960 | 723 | 131 | 576 | 253 | 253 | 531 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 |
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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