Surf Forecasts:
Pelican Watch surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 12s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 11s period, SE swell with 166 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 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 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m 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 0.9m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 05) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pelican Watch over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it for the next couple of weeks.
To be straight with you, the forecast is a bit of a bust for this stretch. We’re looking at a long block of tiny, weak swell and poor conditions. There’s a solid gap here with no real surf on offer, so don't hold your breath. The first sign of anything rideable won't pop up until Thursday the 3rd, and even then it’s nothing to write home about.
The water temp is sitting at 82°F which is pretty much average for this time of year at Pelican Watch, so at least you won’t be freezing while you’re staring at flat water.
Thursday morning the 3rd is the only time that even looks like it might be worth a paddle. The swell is a tiny 2 ft from the SE, with a period of 9 seconds. The combined energy is weak, sitting at only 67. Not exactly pumping, but here’s the kicker: the wind is light and cross-offshore from the SW, making it clean. That’s the one saving grace. It’s surfable, but it’s very ordinary. Still, if you’re desperate, Thursday morning is your best and only shot in the first week. After that, it’s back to tiny dribble and onshore junk for days.
The rest of the first week and into the second week is a write-off. Friday the 4th through Sunday the 6th is all tiny, weak swell with poor conditions, and by Monday the 7th it’s choppy and onshore. The second week doesn’t offer any real improvement either. There’s a window on Wednesday the 9th morning with a light offshore wind from the WNW, but the swell is only 1 ft with 10-second period – that’s barely enough to roll a pebble. By Saturday the 12th morning, we get a glassy morning with 1 ft swell, but it’s still too small to get excited about.
Honestly, this is a classic flat spell for the area. When it’s this poor, forecasts can change, so don’t lose all hope, but right now, there’s nothing to get jazzed about. The only kite-surfing might find some interest in the stronger afternoon winds, but for paddle surfing, it’s a long wait.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Wed afternoon, min 25°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Sat night. Warm (max 32°C on Sat afternoon, min 23°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | |||||||||||||||
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 7 | SE 13 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | E 4 | ESE 9 | ESE 5 | SE 8 | SE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 35 | 27 | 150 | 154 | 100 | 88 | 65 | 53 | 34 | 33 | 26 | 17 | 12 | 11 | 21 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 20 | 19 | 18 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on |
High Tide | 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 | 5:23PM1.68m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 10:32AM0.05m | 11:44PM0.14m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |  |  |  | | | |
 | 6:43 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — |
 | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:32 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:29 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 28 | 30 | 27 | 28 | 30 | 27 | 30 | 32 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 31 | 31 | 30 | 33 | 32 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 32 | 33 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | SE 7 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 |
| kJ | 35 | 25 | 150 | 154 | 100 | 88 | 65 | 53 | 34 | 33 | 26 | 17 | 12 | 11 | 21 | 7 | 8 | 16 | 14 | 19 | 14 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 14 | SE 13 | — | — | — | — | S 5 | — | — | — | — | S 6 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSW 4 | SW 4 | — | SE 8 | SE 8 |
| kJ | 8 | 27 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 1 | — | 18 | 18 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 9 | — | — | — | E 7 | — | E 7 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | S 2 | SSW 3 | — | SSW 3 | SSW 3 | SW 3 | SSW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SSW 4 | — | ENE 4 | E 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 5 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | 3 | 4 | 2 | 11 | 20 | 9 | 22 | — | 8 | 7 | 11 | 20 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 129 | 956 | 0 | 73 | 956 | 0 | 0 | 489 | 352 | 527 | 1573 | 532 | 1160 | 1586 | 54 | 974 | 842 | 1097 | 1117 | 960 | 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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