Surf Forecasts:
Pelican Watch surf forecast from 7 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 7s period, E swell with 262 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 10 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s 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 Thursday (Sep 10) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m 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 1.7m 7s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 5s period and expected on Friday (Sep 11) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pelican Watch over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey, Rusty here. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Pelican Watch is looking flat and messy for the next two and a half weeks. This spot’s normally a consistent little beginner wave, but the forecast ain't cooperating.
Water temp is about 83°F – pretty normal for early September.
Monday 7 September kicks off with a 5 ft ENE swell, but that’s ripped apart by a 19 mph cross‑onshore wind. Combined energy is only 116 – weak. Tuesday and Wednesday stay onshore, short‑period 5–6 second slop. The cleanest early slot is Thursday 10 September morning: glassy with a light WSW breeze, but the swell drops to 3 ft from the ESE at 7 seconds. Energy down to 61. You might snag a few tiny ones, but it’s nothing special.
Friday and Saturday fade to 1–2 ft, cross‑shore winds. Then a slight bump on Tuesday 15 September morning: 4 ft NE swell, light cross‑off winds, 6‑second period – energy 123, still weak but clean. Wednesday 16 September morning offers similar 4 ft ENE, clean but short period (5 seconds). That’s the high point, and it’s not high.
After that it’s all downhill: Thursday through Tuesday 22 September show weak energy (mostly under 100), onshore or cross‑onshore winds, and tiny surf. No real standouts – just a couple of clean mornings with knee‑high mush.
Honestly, there aren’t any good surf options in this 16‑day window. Pelican Watch is usually fairly consistent, but this stretch is a bust. Keep your board handy – forecasts change – but right now it’s a long flat spell.
– Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Thu morning, min 25°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Mon afternoon, calm by Thu morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 29°C on Thu afternoon, min 25°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | ||||||||||||||
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) | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 225 | 236 | 150 | 127 | 104 | 153 | 93 | 67 | 54 | 56 | 35 | 32 | 32 | 19 | 23 | 26 | 45 | 46 | 43 | 39 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:23PM1.68m | 5:42AM1.29m | 6:19PM1.70m | 6:39AM1.41m | 7:10PM1.71m | 7:30AM1.51m | 7:57PM1.68m | 8:18AM1.59m | 8:41PM1.62m | 9:03AM1.64m | 9:23PM1.53m | 9:47AM1.65m | 10:04PM1.43m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:44PM0.14m | 11:37AM0.00m | 00:35AM0.08m | 12:36PM-0.04m | 1:20AM0.02m | 1:30PM-0.05m | 2:03AM-0.01m | 2:21PM-0.05m | 2:43AM-0.01m | 3:09PM-0.01m | 3:21AM0.01m | 3:55PM0.05m | 3:59AM0.06m | |||||||
 |  | | | | | |  | | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — |
 | 7:29 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:27 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:23 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:21 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 29 |
Feels °C | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 33 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 33 | 32 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | E 9 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 2 | 99 | 93 | 67 | 54 | 56 | 35 | 32 | 32 | 19 | 23 | 26 | 45 | 46 | 43 | 39 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 9 | SE 9 | E 8 | E 9 | SE 8 | S 5 | E 8 | — | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | E 7 | SSW 5 | NE 6 | ENE 6 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 18 | 8 | 1 | — | 2 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 9 | E 9 | ESE 8 | — | — | — | — | E 7 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 7 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 3 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | — | — | — | — | SSW 4 | — | S 5 | SSW 5 | — | S 5 | — | — | S 4 | — |
| kJ | 225 | 236 | 150 | 127 | 104 | 153 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 20 | 9 | — | 4 | — | — | 3 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 630 | 561 | 140 | 140 | 140 | 30 | 73 | 140 | 140 | 0 | 567 | 363 | 54 | 878 | 532 | 1237 | 1232 | 54 | 54 | 129 |
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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