Rodanthe Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s chew the fat on what’s shaping up for the Outer Banks.

Well, I gotta be straight with you – this forecast is a real test of patience. The first twelve days or so are a total flat spell. From Tuesday, the 18th of August, right through to the end of the month, the swell is just a whisper. We’re talking tiny 0.7ft to 1ft peaks with weak energy in the 16 to 118 range. The wind is all over the shop, mostly cross or cross-off, but the surf just isn't there. It’s a long, quiet stretch with no real rideable waves. If you’re a beginner, there’s nothing to learn on, and if you’re experienced, you’d be better off waxing the longboard for a flat-day paddle or just waiting it out.

Now, things start to get a little more interesting as we head into the first week of September. That’s where our one and only true standout window appears. Mark your calendar for Monday, the 31st of August. The morning is where it’s at. The wind will be glassy – yes, completely glassy – and we’ll finally see some proper swell. A 6ft northeast groundswell is forecast, with a period of 6 seconds. Now, the period is a bit short, so it’ll be a little mushy, but the energy is really kicking in at 315. That’s moderate energy and a big jump from the nothing we’ve seen. The wind is dead calm, so it’ll be clean. The water is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting at 83°.

Rodanthe Pier is the spot to be. This northeast swell is right in the pocket for the break, and with that glassy morning, it’s going to be worth the wait. It’s a consistent, exposed beach-and-jetty break, so it’ll pick up whatever is out there. The crowd can be *sometimes* a problem, but with the flat spell we’ve just had, I reckon a lot of folks will have forgotten their wetsuits. That said, this swell is 6ft. That’s getting into the zone where it’s a bit much for total beginners, but it’s perfect for the rest of us. The afternoon goes a bit cross-on with 8ft swell, which is less clean, so get your session in early.

The following days, Tuesday the 1st of September, see a strong pulse of 10ft east-northeast swell with massive energy readings of 1372. That’s a lot of water moving, but the wind is onshore and strong at 18-22 mph, making it a messy, lumpy mess. That’s expert-only territory, and even then, it’s not a great look for a clean wave. Wednesday the 2nd of September sees the swell drop back to 5ft-6ft, but the wind stays onshore and fresh. The quality just isn’t there for a paddle session; if you’ve got a kite, you might find something more interesting.

So, the long and short of it: the only real standout is the glassy morning of Monday, the 31st of August at Rodanthe Pier. The rest of the time, it’s a waiting game. The forecast can always change, but as it stands, that’s your window.

Rusty.

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