Surf Forecasts:
Pelican Watch surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 12s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 11s period, SE swell with 166 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 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 (Sep 01) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 7s. 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 0.9m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 05) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pelican Watch over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s in store for Pelican Watch.
Honestly, this is a pretty grim outlook for the next couple of weeks. The first ten days are mostly flat or messy, with a real dry spell of no good surf. The only day that’s worth getting excited about is the morning of Friday, September 11th.
That morning, a small swell from the southwest bumps up to 5ft, with a combined wave energy of 225—moderate power. The wind is offshore from the west at 6 mph, keeping the surface glassy. The period is short though, only 6 seconds, so it’s not a groundswell, but it’ll be the cleanest and most rideable session in the whole forecast.
Water temperature is 82°, about average for the season, nothing weird going on there.
The rest of the time? Tiny waves, weak energy (often under 100), and winds that are mostly cross-off or onshore. Mornings might offer a few clean but small waves under 3ft, but afternoons get choppy or blown out. For anyone into kitesurfing, some of those breezy afternoons with cross-off wind and small waves could be more fun than on a surfboard.
So, mark your calendar for the morning of Friday, September 11th. That’s the one. Otherwise, it’s a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Wed afternoon, min 25°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Sat night. Warm (max 32°C on Sat afternoon, min 22°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 7 | SE 13 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | S 5 | ENE 4 | E 5 | E 5 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 35 | 27 | 150 | 154 | 100 | 88 | 65 | 53 | 34 | 42 | 26 | 17 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 21 | 55 | 27 | 19 | 18 | 18 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:07AM1.58m | 11:19PM1.30m | 11:57AM1.60m | 00:09AM1.21m | 12:55PM1.60m | 1:06AM1.14m | 2:00PM1.60m | 2:13AM1.10m | 3:10PM1.61m | 3:27AM1.12m | 4:20PM1.64m | 4:38AM1.18m | 5:23PM1.68m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:18PM0.13m | 5:16AM0.04m | 6:14PM0.18m | 6:05AM0.06m | 7:17PM0.23m | 7:02AM0.09m | 8:28PM0.26m | 8:08AM0.10m | 9:41PM0.25m | 9:21AM0.09m | 10:47PM0.21m | 10:32AM0.05m | 11:44PM0.14m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | | | |
 | 6:43 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — |
 | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:32 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:29 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 30 | 32 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 31 | 31 | 29 | 33 | 32 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 32 | 33 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | SE 7 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | S 5 | S 5 | S 5 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 4 | SE 4 |
| kJ | 35 | 25 | 150 | 154 | 100 | 88 | 65 | 53 | 34 | 42 | 26 | 17 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 16 | 19 | 5 | 4 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 14 | SE 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 6 | SE 6 | SSE 5 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | S 5 | S 4 | — | SE 8 | SE 8 |
| kJ | 8 | 27 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 2 | — | 18 | 18 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 9 | — | S 5 | E 8 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SSW 3 | SSW 3 | — | SSW 3 | SSW 3 | — | SSW 4 | SW 4 | SSW 5 | SSW 4 | — | ENE 4 | E 5 | E 5 | E 4 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | — | 3 | 4 | — | 16 | 18 | 14 | 40 | — | 21 | 55 | 27 | 8 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 243 | 956 | 0 | 0 | 956 | 0 | 0 | 489 | 129 | 355 | 708 | 519 | 1573 | 2162 | 99 | 1096 | 1096 | 1096 | 561 | 1097 | 1155 |
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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