Surf Forecasts:
Pelican Watch surf forecast from 7 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 8 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 7s period, E swell with 258 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 10 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s 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 Thursday (Sep 10) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy 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 Tuesday (Sep 08) 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 0.5m 3s period and expected on Friday (Sep 11) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pelican Watch over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s break down the next 16 days for the local spot.
Honestly, it’s looking like a write-off. The only break we’ve got data for is Pelican Watch, and it’s a tough one. We’re staring at a solid week of nothing worth paddling for. The combined swell energy is weak, mostly under 100 (94 is the highest early on), so there’s just no guts in the water. The water is sitting at 83°F, which is about a degree warmer than usual for this time of year – a bit of a warm bath, but that’s the only highlight.
The first real chance of anything comes on Thursday, September 10th, with a tiny 2ft SE swell, but it’s glassy in the morning. The wind is a light SSW at 3 mph, keeping it clean, but the wave energy is only 46. It’s a glorified ripple. Friday the 11th is even smaller, 1ft with a WNW glass-off in the morning. It’s pretty, but there’s no push.
The whole second week is a dud. Small swells, mostly cross-onshore winds, and the combined energy stays in the 20s, 30s, and 40s. You’ll see a bump on the 17th of September with a 5ft ENE windswell, but it’s a short period (6 seconds) and the wind is a messy cross-onshore at 16 mph. That’s just choppy, lumpy, and ugly.
The only thing that might be worth a look is the morning of Thursday, September 10th. It’s glassy, and the swell is from the SE, which is the best direction for this spot. But with a 2ft swell and next to no energy, it’s a longboard session at best. This is a beginner-friendly break, and crowds are "often" a thing, so even on a tiny day, expect a few people out. For the entire 16 days, the forecast is "poor surf conditions" all the way. This is one of those flat spells that happens. Forecasts can change, but right now, I’d find something else to do.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Mon afternoon, min 25°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Mon afternoon, calm by Wed night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Warm (max 31°C on Fri afternoon, min 25°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 5 | E 6 | E 7 | E 6 | E 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | SE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 106 | 154 | 258 | 158 | 106 | 114 | 91 | 73 | 64 | 59 | 47 | 59 | 30 | 19 | 15 | 18 | 28 | 45 | 46 | 43 | 40 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy |
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 | 10:32AM0.05m | 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 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 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 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 31 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 27 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 32 | 31 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | SE 8 | — | — | — | E 9 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | SE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 |
| kJ | 7 | 18 | — | — | — | 2 | 91 | 73 | 64 | 59 | 47 | 59 | 30 | 19 | 15 | 18 | 28 | 45 | 46 | 43 | 40 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | — | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SSE 4 | S 5 | S 5 | SSW 4 | — | E 4 | E 5 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | 18 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 2 | — | 1 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 6 | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 5 | E 6 | E 7 | E 6 | E 6 | ESE 7 | — | — | — | — | S 2 | S 3 | — | SSE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 2 |
| kJ | 106 | 154 | 258 | 158 | 106 | 114 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 6 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 630 | 561 | 527 | 359 | 140 | 138 | 140 | 140 | 140 | 23 | 548 | 304 | 54 | 641 | 282 | 358 | 1232 | 23 | 23 | 2540 | 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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