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 cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period, SSW swell with 135 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 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 (Aug 24) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 6s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 2AM.
| 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 | 8AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 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 be honest with you, the next couple of weeks look pretty flat and uninspiring. We're in for a long stretch of small, weak surf, but there's a tiny window of hope if you're willing to wait.
Your first real look at anything worth getting wet for is on Tuesday, August 26th. The swell energy finally jumps up, breaking the run of tiny dribblers. It's still small, a clean 2ft face, but the period is a long 16 seconds. The water temp is about normal for this time of year. The spot to look at is Pelican Watch—it’s a consistent, exposed break that can handle that longer-period energy. The wind is forecast to be a light cross-offshore breeze in the morning, which should keep things clean.
The afternoon could see a bit more push, but the wind picks up and makes it less inviting. It won't be perfect, but it's the best we've got. Just be aware, crowds are likely there.
After that, there's a brief tease on Friday, August 29th with a bit of energy still in the water. You're looking at 2ft from the SE, with a light cross-offshore breeze in the afternoon. The period drops to 9 seconds, so it loses some of that grunt, but it could still be fun. The morning looks a bit ragged with a cross-shore wind, so the afternoon is the better call. Nothing special, but you might find a few.
From there, it slips back into a weak, small pattern, with only marginal surf on the 1st and 2nd of September. The 2nd looks glassy but totally gutless. It's going to be a frustrating stretch, but that Tuesday the 26th is your best shot for a worthwhile surf.
Keep the wax on, and stay patient.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 33°C on Tue afternoon, min 26°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 28mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 31°C on Fri afternoon, min 22°C on Sun afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Sat afternoon, strong winds from the WSW by Sun afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | S 5 | ESE 9 | S 6 | ESE 12 | S 6 | ESE 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 21 | 35 | 75 | 48 | 42 | 40 | 30 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 15 | 22 | 17 | 50 | 15 | 76 | 14 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | glassy |
High Tide | 00:04AM1.23m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:03AM0.09m | 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 | |||||||
 |  | |  | | |  | | | |  | | |  |  |  | | | | |
 | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — |
 | 7:55 | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:49 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 5 | — | — | 11 | 3 | 8 | 1 |
Temp °C | 30 | 32 | 33 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 28 | 31 | 32 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 25 |
Feels °C | 33 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 35 | 35 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 25 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 5 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | S 5 | ESE 9 | S 6 | ESE 8 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 |
| kJ | 21 | 27 | 75 | 48 | 42 | 40 | 30 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 50 | 6 | 15 | 14 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | SE 12 | E 5 | — | SSW 4 | S 4 | S 4 | E 7 | E 6 | E 6 | SE 8 | SE 15 | SE 14 | ESE 9 | ESE 13 | ESE 8 | ESE 12 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 |
| kJ | 3 | 35 | 1 | — | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 17 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 15 | 7 | 6 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 13 | E 6 | E 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 15 | E 6 | SE 10 | SE 14 | E 7 | ESE 13 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
| kJ | 7 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 17 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 3 | SSW 4 | — | — | — | S 4 | S 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | S 4 | S 4 | S 5 | S 5 | NW 2 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 |
| kJ | 15 | 6 | 7 | 7 | — | — | — | 6 | 9 | 17 | 24 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 42 | 1 | 71 | 76 | 122 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 821 | 0 | 258 | 22 | 142 | 278 | 282 | 923 | 2144 | 1155 | 708 | 532 | 54 | 82 | 3 | 0 | 109 | 82 | 3 |
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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