Surf Forecasts:
Pelican Watch surf forecast from 30 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 2 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 6s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 3 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 7s period, SSE swell with 198 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 2 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 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 Sunday (Aug 02) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 6s is also forecast. 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 1.5m 7s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 03) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 6s period and expected on Monday (Aug 03) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pelican Watch over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what’s heading our way.
We’re looking at a bit of a flat spell to start things off. For the next week or so, there’s nothing to get excited about. The surf is small and messy, with a lot of cross-onshore winds messing up what little bump there is. You won’t find me paddling out for a 1-foot slop with a 9 mph cross-offshore. It’s just not worth it. That first glimmer of hope doesn’t show up until Friday the 7th of August.
Now, hold onto your leggies, because Friday the 7th of August morning is where we finally get something decent. Pelican Watch wakes up to glassy conditions – I’m talking no wind, slick as a mirror. That southeast swell is pushing through at about 4 feet, with a period of 9 seconds, and the combined energy is sitting at a solid 203. That’s moderate energy, and with the glassy surface, this is going to be clean, fun little waves. The water temp is a very pleasant 83°, which is bang on average for this time of year. This is the standout session of the whole outlook. Get on it early.
The rest of the run is pretty bleak. There’s a bit of a pulse on Monday the 3rd of August morning, with a 5-foot south swell and moderate energy (280), but the wind is a stiff 16 mph cross-offshore. It’s clean, but that size is pushing into “too big for beginners” territory, and with that wind it's going to be a handful. Not the one for a relaxed paddle.
After that, it drops right back into the doldrums. Tiny waves, light winds, but nothing with any real push. The whole second week is a write-off – small, weak waves that barely tickle the shin. A few mornings stay clean, but when the swell is only 1-foot to 2-foot, even with a gentle offshore, there’s just nothing to ride.
So, to sum it up: sit tight, do your waxing, and keep your eyes on Friday morning, August 7th. That’s your window. Everything else is a pass.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Wed night, min 24°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 28mm), heaviest during Tue morning. Warm (max 29°C on Sun morning, min 26°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | S 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 5 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | S 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 29 | 31 | 21 | 29 | 43 | 49 | 20 | 24 | 11 | 25 | 64 | 69 | 113 | 198 | 135 | 35 | 23 | 23 | 23 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross |
High Tide | 8:39PM1.53m | 8:53AM1.12m | 9:14PM1.52m | 9:31AM1.18m | 9:49PM1.50m | 10:10AM1.23m | 10:24PM1.45m | 10:50AM1.29m | 11:02PM1.38m | 11:33AM1.34m | 11:43PM1.30m | 12:22PM1.40m | 00:29AM1.21m | ||||||
Low Tide | 2:59AM0.09m | 2:37PM0.04m | 3:32AM0.06m | 3:17PM0.05m | 4:03AM0.05m | 3:58PM0.07m | 4:36AM0.03m | 4:43PM0.09m | 5:10AM0.03m | 5:32PM0.13m | 5:48AM0.02m | 6:27PM0.17m | |||||||
 | | |  | | | | | | | | |  |  | | |  | | | |
 | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — |
 | 8:15 | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:09 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 6 |
Temp °C | 31 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 32 | 28 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | S 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | — | S 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | S 5 |
| kJ | 29 | 31 | 21 | 29 | 43 | 49 | 20 | 24 | 11 | 16 | 64 | 69 | 113 | 198 | — | 35 | 23 | 23 | 12 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 8 | — | SE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 6 | S 5 | E 6 | — | — | — | SE 7 | SSW 6 | — | SE 7 |
| kJ | 2 | 1 | — | 4 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 23 | 10 | — | 23 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | — | SE 10 | E 9 | — | — | S 8 | — | SE 7 | S 5 | S 5 | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 5 | — | SSE 5 |
| kJ | 2 | — | 4 | 1 | — | — | 5 | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 8 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNE 2 | — | — | — | — | SE 4 | SE 7 | ESE 3 | SE 5 | — | SSE 3 | — | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SW 5 | — | S 5 | — |
| kJ | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 5 | 15 | 6 | 25 | — | 1 | — | 132 | 135 | 47 | — | 14 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 489 | 54 | 54 | 527 | 138 | 110 | 837 | 298 | 769 | 1670 | 945 | 355 | 529 | 524 | 351 | 489 | 119 | 282 | 253 |
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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