Surf Forecasts:
Rodanthe Pier surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 5s period, S swell with 30 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Rodanthe Pier this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Rodanthe Pier in the next 16 days are 0.8m 5s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rodanthe Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it.
Honestly, looking at the next couple of weeks for Rodanthe Pier, it’s a pretty bleak stretch for us paddle surfers. The first twelve days are basically a write-off.
We’re starting on Thursday, August 20th, and there’s barely a ripple. Swell is tiny, only 1.0ft, coming out of the ESE with a weak 8-second period and combined wave energy of just 15. To make matters worse, the wind is a messy cross-on. The water temperature is sitting at 83°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least it’s comfortable for a float. But for surfing? Forget it. This flat, choppy mess continues right through until the end of August and into the first of September. We get a few glassy mornings here and there, like on Friday the 21st and Monday the 24th, but with no swell to work with, it’s just a flat, pretty lake. There’s a solid ten-day stretch in there where the best you can hope for is a clean, tiny ankle-snapper.
Then, things finally get our attention around the 2nd of September. Wednesday morning brings a pulse of 5ft swell from the NNE. It’s got a short period—only 6 seconds—but the combined energy jumps to 211, which is moderate. The wind is clean and cross-off, so the surface will be smooth. This is rideable, but that short period means it’ll be a bit crumbly and soft. It’s still a marginal call for the tide.
The standout of the whole outlook comes on Friday, September 4th. The morning shows a 5ft swell from the north, but it’s the afternoon that has the real punch. Swell builds to 7ft from the NNE, with a period bumping up to 8 seconds. The combined energy rockets to 668, which is strong. The wind stays clean and cross-off. This is proper, solid, head-high-plus surf. At 7ft, this is heading into expert territory, but it’s got some power. That NNE swell direction is a good match for the break’s optimal NE direction. This is the one to circle on the calendar. It’s a long way out, so keep an eye on it, but it’s the only real chance of a proper wave in the whole 16-day window.
So, there you have it. A whole lot of nothing, then one promising, powerful afternoon on the 4th of September. Don’t hold your breath on the rest.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 32mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 29°C on Thu morning, min 26°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri afternoon, fresh winds from the SW by Sat night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 47mm), heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 29°C on Sun night, min 24°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, fresh winds from the SSW by Tue afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 14 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | S 5 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 30 | 12 | 11 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 18 | 18 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 5:44PM0.23m | 4:35AM0.23m | 6:38PM0.23m | 6:08AM0.22m | 7:32PM0.24m | 7:37AM0.22m | 8:25PM0.24m | 8:39AM0.23m | 9:18PM0.25m | 9:29AM0.23m | 10:08PM0.26m | 10:11AM0.23m | 10:52PM0.27m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:41AM0.12m | 11:36PM0.17m | 12:38PM0.13m | 1:08AM0.17m | 1:41PM0.13m | 2:28AM0.17m | 2:44PM0.13m | 3:35AM0.16m | 3:39PM0.13m | 4:33AM0.16m | 4:28PM0.12m | 5:25AM0.15m | 5:11PM0.12m | ||||||||
6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | |
— | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:37 | — | |
mm | 2 | 1 | 7 | 1 | — | 6 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 5 | 9 | 25 | 1 | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 28 | 28 |
Feels °C | 32 | 31 | 30 | 33 | 34 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 24 | 25 | 27 | 29 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SSE 3 | E 8 | E 12 | E 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 |
14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 2 | 12 | 11 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 18 | 18 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 4 | E 6 | — | E 14 | SSE 3 | NNE 6 | NNE 5 | E 8 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 4 | E 7 | E 7 | SSE 6 | SE 7 | N 3 | E 14 |
— | 1 | 1 | — | 4 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 16 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | — | E 16 | E 15 | E 14 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | NNE 5 | E 12 | E 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | — | — | — | E 6 | E 16 | E 15 | — |
1 | — | 5 | 4 | 16 | 4 | 14 | 14 | 3 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | 4 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 3 | S 3 | — | SSE 3 | SW 2 | SSE 4 | SE 4 | S 5 | WSW 2 | WSW 2 | — | — | — | SSW 2 | SW 3 | S 4 | W 3 | N 3 | — | ESE 3 |
— | 2 | 6 | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 30 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | 12 | 6 | 1 | — | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 850 | 900 | 900 | 1130 | 1757 | 3 | 47 | 47 | 140 | 229 | 295 | 40 | 3 | 40 | 468 | 468 | 330 | 223 | 3 | 629 | 423 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Carolina | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Rodanthe Pier Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Rodanthe Pier provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Rodanthe Pier can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Rodanthe Pier 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 (Rodanthe Pier) 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 Rodanthe Pier 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.
Are you planning a vacation in North Carolina? If you are looking for accommodation near Rodanthe Pier, camping, hotels and condos and appartments in North Carolina, consider staying in Cape Hatteras which is 44 km (27 miles) away.











