Surf Forecasts:
Rodanthe Pier surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 11s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 11s period, ESE swell with 47 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 11s period with ESE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Rodanthe Pier this week:
The surf forecast for Rodanthe Pier over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 11s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Rodanthe Pier in the next 16 days are 0.4m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 7s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 2PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rodanthe Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's get real about the surf outlook for Rodanthe Pier over the next couple of weeks. I've got to be straight with you—this is a tough one to write. The models are showing a real flat spell, and for the majority of this forecast period, we are looking at barely a ripple.
Right off the bat, the first recommendation doesn't come until Monday the 17th of August, and even then, it's a tough sell. We're looking at a tiny 1 ft ESE swell with a weak energy reading of just (18). On top of that, the wind is a cross-off from the SSW at 16 mph with a risk of thunderstorms. The water temperature is sitting at 82° with a 1° anomaly, so pretty much average for this time of year, but the surf itself is just "poor." Honestly, this isn't a session you'd paddle out for.
We grind through a whole run of tiny waves and poor conditions right through the rest of August. Tuesday the 18th, Wednesday the 19th, Thursday the 20th, Friday the 21st—all offering up ankle-snappers with energy readings barely breaking 40. There is a brief moment of calm on the morning of Thursday the 20th with glassy conditions and zero wind, but the swell is a pathetic 1 ft with an 8-second period. It's clean, but there's nothing to ride.
The pattern of small, weak, and often windy conditions drags on. We see some "clean" conditions on the 21st and 22nd, but the swell height is stuck at less than 1 ft. It's frustrating. There are several days here with absolutely no surf worth talking about.
Now, hold on, because there is a light at the end of the tunnel, but you've got to be patient. Around Wednesday the 26th of August, things start to change. The combined swell energy jumps to (122) and (123) as a pulse of ESE swell pushes in at 1 to 2 ft. The period stretches out to a very long 15 seconds on Wednesday morning. This is a classic groundswell signal, which means better shaped waves, but at a beach break like this, that long period might make it break a bit too straight. Still, the wind is a clean cross-off, so it's the most interesting it's been.
Thursday the 27th of August looks like the standout for this whole forecast. We see the swell size bump up to 2 to 3 ft from the ESE with a 12-second period and a solid energy reading of (176). The wind holds as a cross-off from the SSW at 22 mph. It's a bit breezy, but the direction is good, keeping things clean. For a beach break, that's a solid combination. This is about as good as it gets for the next two weeks, but keep in mind the crowds here are listed as "sometimes," so expect company if the waves show.
After that little flurry, it fades fast. By Friday the 28th, the wind swings onshore from the N and the swell drops back down. The first week of September starts with more of the same: small, short-period windswell and lumpy, messy conditions. The energy drops back into the 30s and 60s, with the swell barely making it to 3 ft on Tuesday the 1st of September, but with a terrible 5-second period. It's a long, bleak run with no real standouts after that Thursday.
The bottom line: For the next couple of weeks, if you are a surfer, your window is narrow. Focus on Thursday the 27th of August for the most size and energy. Everything else is either flat, messy, or both. It's one of those stretches where the forecast can change, so keep an eye on it, but don't hold your breath.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 31°C on Mon night, min 27°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 31mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 29°C on Thu night, min 25°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, fresh winds from the SW by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 13 | E 12 | S 4 | E 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
22 | 27 | 46 | 33 | 29 | 27 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-on | on | on | glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:13AM0.25m | 3:53PM0.22m | 2:49AM0.25m | 4:50PM0.23m | 3:34AM0.24m | 5:44PM0.23m | 4:35AM0.23m | 6:38PM0.23m | 6:08AM0.22m | 7:32PM0.24m | 7:37AM0.22m | 8:25PM0.24m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:03PM0.14m | 10:14AM0.11m | 9:42PM0.16m | 10:55AM0.12m | 10:26PM0.16m | 11:41AM0.12m | 11:36PM0.17m | 12:38PM0.13m | 1:08AM0.17m | 1:41PM0.13m | 2:28AM0.17m | 2:44PM0.13m | 3:35AM0.16m | ||||||
— | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | |
7:49 | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:40 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | 4 | 3 | 1 | — | 3 | 3 | — | 4 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 7 |
Temp °C | 31 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 |
Feels °C | 34 | 30 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 35 | 31 | 32 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | NE 4 | E 8 | SE 7 | E 12 | SE 7 |
22 | 20 | 46 | 33 | 29 | 27 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 4 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 11 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 5 | ESE 12 | S 5 | S 5 | — | S 4 | SSE 4 | ENE 3 | — | E 16 | SSE 5 | SE 5 | NNE 3 | NNE 3 | E 9 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NNE 6 | E 12 |
2 | 27 | 8 | 7 | — | 3 | 4 | 1 | — | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 11 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | — | — | — | SE 5 | — | SSE 4 | SE 4 | — | E 16 | E 15 | E 14 | SE 4 | SSE 4 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | ESE 8 | NE 6 |
3 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 5 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 7 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NE 2 | NE 3 | ENE 3 | E 4 | S 4 | SSE 2 | S 3 | S 5 | NNE 4 | — | S 5 | S 3 | SW 4 | SW 3 | S 4 | SSW 4 |
— | — | — | 2 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 25 | 1 | — | 17 | 4 | 10 | 3 | 12 | 15 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 573 | 580 | 3 | 26 | 141 | 260 | 1014 | 532 | 676 | 1057 | 468 | 503 | 409 | 171 | 3 | 3 | 59 | 423 | 157 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Carolina | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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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