Surf Forecasts:
Pelican Watch surf forecast from 31 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 12s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period, ENE swell with 161 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 8PM (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 (Sep 01) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m 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 1.4m 6s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pelican Watch over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s in the water for us.
Right off the bat, we’ve got a long, flat, and frustrating stretch. From Monday the 31st of August through to about Sunday the 13th of September, the surf is mostly a no-go. It’s small, weak, and often blown out. We’re looking at waves in the 1 to 2 foot range, mostly from the ESE or SE with periods all over the place. The energy is barely there, often under 100 (weak), and the best the forecast can say is ‘surfable but very ordinary’. You might find a clean, glassy moment on a longboard, but you’ll be scratching for anything rideable.
The first little pulse that’s worth mentioning is Wednesday morning, the 9th of September at Pelican Watch. We’ve got 2 foot swell from the SE, but the period jumps to 11 seconds. That’s a proper little groundswell, giving the waves some push and shape. The wind is offshore from the W at 12 mph, so it’ll be clean. The energy hits 144 (moderate), which is the most we’ve seen in a while. It’s not a standout day, but it’s the best option we’ve got. The water temp is 82°F, which is normal for this time of year. Crowds are often a thing here, so expect a few others out for those waist-high peelers.
Now, keep an eye on Monday the 14th of September. The afternoon shows a jump to 6 foot from the ENE, with energy climbing to 319 (moderate). That’s a serious increase in power. The problem is the period is a short 7 seconds and the wind is onshore from the ESE. That’s going to be a choppy, bumpy, close-out mess. Good for the experts on a big board, but a punishment for everyone else. Tuesday the 15th cleans up a bit with 4 foot from the E and a light cross-shore, but that short period means it’ll still be a battle.
So, to sum it up: if you need a surf, Wednesday the 9th of September morning is your only real shout for clean waves. That Monday the 14th spike has size, but it’s going to be ugly. The rest is a waiting game.
Keep your chin up, forecasts can change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Warm (max 30°C on Wed afternoon, min 25°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 34°C on Sat afternoon, min 25°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | SE 13 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | S 5 | ENE 5 | E 5 | ENE 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 40 | 37 | 37 | 25 | 27 | 128 | 154 | 100 | 76 | 65 | 53 | 27 | 26 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 15 | 11 | 37 | 17 | 161 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 10:22AM1.55m | 10:36PM1.39m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:27PM0.08m | 4:34AM0.03m | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | |  | | |  | | | | |
 | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — |
 | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:32 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — |
mm | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 3 | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 28 | 30 | 27 | 29 | 31 | 28 | 31 | 34 | 29 | 26 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 30 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 30 | 29 | 32 | 31 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 34 | 36 | 32 | 25 | 25 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | S 5 | SSW 5 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 |
| kJ | 40 | 37 | 37 | 25 | 25 | 128 | 154 | 100 | 76 | 65 | 53 | 27 | 26 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 15 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 8 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | — | E 9 | SE 14 | SE 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 7 | SSW 4 | E 6 | E 6 | S 6 | E 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | SSW 5 | — |
| kJ | 2 | — | 2 | 8 | 27 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 2 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 7 | — | S 6 | E 7 | — | SE 9 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 3 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 3 | — | SSW 3 | SSW 3 | SW 3 | SSW 3 | SW 4 | — | SSW 4 | SW 4 | SW 5 | SSW 4 | E 3 | ENE 5 | E 5 | ENE 6 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 3 | 4 | 3 | 10 | 6 | — | 16 | 29 | 10 | 11 | 1 | 37 | 17 | 161 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 685 | 1231 | 282 | 129 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 605 | 19 | 298 | 304 | 54 | 489 | 527 | 22 | 129 | 1096 | 736 | 605 | 837 | 140 |
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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