Surf Forecasts:
Rodanthe Pier surf forecast from 21 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 22 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 8s period, SE swell with 38 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 0.6m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 22) 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 1.2m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rodanthe Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – this 16-day stretch for the Outer Banks is a tough one to call. We’re looking at a long, dry spell of small, messy surf before a bit of a pulse shows up later. The water is a warm 81°, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so at least you won't need a full suit.
The first week is a real struggle. We kick off on Tuesday, 21st of July with tiny waves around 1ft from the SE and a short period of 8 seconds, but that 22 mph SW wind is just shredding any chance of a clean wave. The combined energy is a weak 12, and it’s just poor. That same story carries through the whole week. By Wednesday the 22nd, we’re still stuck with 2ft and a strong 28 mph wind. Thursday’s a washout with heavy rain and a cross-onshore breeze. Even when the wind goes offshore on Saturday morning the 25th, the swell is only 2ft from the SE, with a combined energy of 104. It’s surfable, but barely. The period stays short, under 8 seconds, so the waves are weak and crumbly.
We hit a real low point from Sunday the 26th through to the end of the month. The swell is non-existent, barely cracking 2ft, and the wind is all over the place. Nothing is worth paddling out for. The gaps are painful.
Now, things start to get a little more interesting as we head into the first week of August. On Saturday, the 1st of August, the swell picks up to 4ft from the ENE, but the period is still a short 6 seconds, and the wind is howling from the SW at 28 mph. Not great.
Then we get a glimmer of hope. Sunday, the 2nd of August is the standout. The swell is small, only 3ft, but it’s coming from the ESE with a combined energy of 158. The wind is a clean cross-off from the NNW at 19 mph, which will keep the surface smooth. The period is 9 seconds, which is a little better. It’s not a big day, but after two weeks of flatness, it’s the best on offer. Next morning, Monday the 3rd, is a glassy morning with 2ft waves from the ESE, but the period is a short 7 seconds, so it’s going to be weak and gutless.
After that, it fades again into tiny, wind-affected dribble for the rest of the window. Honestly, the only time the beach looks interesting is for the kite surfers, given the strong side-offshore winds and the small, choppy conditions. Unless you’re desperate for a paddle, you’re better off waiting for the next system.
Stay patient.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 108mm), heaviest during Thu afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Tue afternoon, min 23°C on Thu afternoon). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SW on Tue night, calm by Fri morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 49mm), heaviest during Sat morning. Warm (max 27°C on Mon morning, min 22°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | NNE 5 | NNE 6 | E 8 | NNE 6 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 7 | 19 | 38 | 20 | 18 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 27 | 37 | 33 | 22 | 22 | 32 | 33 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 12 | 14 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:42PM0.20m | 4:25AM0.21m | 6:36PM0.21m | 5:18AM0.20m | 7:25PM0.22m | 6:28AM0.19m | 8:11PM0.23m | 7:46AM0.19m | 8:55PM0.23m | 8:52AM0.19m | 9:40PM0.23m | 9:47AM0.19m | 10:24PM0.24m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:21PM0.13m | 12:23PM0.09m | 00:36AM0.14m | 1:13PM0.09m | 1:56AM0.14m | 2:07PM0.09m | 3:07AM0.14m | 3:05PM0.10m | 4:08AM0.13m | 3:59PM0.10m | 5:02AM0.12m | 4:50PM0.10m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  | | |  |  |  |  | |  | |  | |  | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — |
 | 8:14 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:09 | — |
mm | — | — | 3 | 8 | 3 | 9 | 63 | 6 | 16 | 6 | 12 | 26 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 28 |
Feels °C | 27 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 28 | 27 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 8 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | ESE 8 | NNE 5 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | NNE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 |
| kJ | 7 | 19 | 38 | 20 | 18 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 37 | 14 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 12 | 14 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | — | — | — | SSE 7 | ESE 8 | N 5 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | NNE 5 | ESE 8 | SSW 5 | NNE 6 | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 8 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | E 6 |
| kJ | 2 | — | — | — | 10 | 13 | 2 | 18 | 27 | 10 | 33 | 2 | 22 | 32 | 33 | 21 | 13 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 7 | — | — | — | NNE 5 | — | SSW 5 | SSW 7 | E 12 | S 5 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 15 | — | 3 | 9 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SW 4 | SW 3 | W 3 | SSE 3 | SW 3 | SW 5 | NNE 5 | — | — | NNE 6 | — | SSW 2 | SW 3 | S 4 | SSW 4 |
| kJ | 43 | 45 | 29 | 45 | 26 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 23 | 22 | — | — | 30 | — | 1 | 2 | 12 | 25 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1045 | 260 | 140 | 140 | 64 | 376 | 44 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 44 | 42 | 3 | 44 | 44 | 734 | 47 | 3 | 1130 | 316 |
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.
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