
Surf Forecasts:
Rodanthe Pier surf forecast from 14 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 8s period, SE swell with 41 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 Sunday (Jul 19) 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 0.9m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Sun 19th 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 have a look at what’s cookin’ for the Outer Banks, specifically around Rodanthe Pier.
Honestly, I gotta be straight with you – this 16-day window is a tough one for paddle surfing. The whole stretch starts off looking pretty flat and messy, and it stays that way for a long, long time. We’re looking at a solid gap of weak, small surf with poor conditions that isn't really worth a second look until the very end of the run.
From Tuesday, 14 July, right through to Saturday, 24 July, it’s a real struggle. The swell is tiny, barely a ripple, and the wind is mostly cross-onshore, making everything choppy and ugly. The combined swell energy is weak, with values consistently under 100 (like 97, 80, 31), meaning there’s just no juice in the water. It’s a full-on waiting game. The water temp is about 82°, which is a touch warmer than average for this time of year, but that’s the only highlight.
The first real glimmer of hope doesn’t show up until Saturday, 25 July. It’s not a classic, but it’s the only thing on the menu. The morning session at Rodanthe Pier is the standout. We’ve got a 4 ft swell coming from the NE, with a clean offshore wind from the WSW blowing at 12 mph. The combined energy finally climbs into the low triple digits (103), so there’s a bit of push. The swell period is short though, at 5 seconds, so it’s a windswell, not a groundswell, meaning the waves will be a bit crumbly and lacking power. It’s surfable, but it’s very ordinary. The offshore wind will clean it up, but don’t expect perfection. The afternoon gets blown out with a strong SSW breeze, so the morning is your only shot.
After that, it drops back down to tiny, poor surf right through to the end of July. There’s nothing else in this window that’s worth paddling out for. The breaks are clear, but the ocean just isn’t cooperating.
So, the takeaway? Your one and only chance for a paddle is Saturday morning, 25 July, at Rodanthe Pier. It’s not firing, but it’s the best we’ve got. If you’re a beginner, that 4 ft swell is fine, but the short period will make it a bit lumpy. For the rest of the time, you might be better off looking at kite surfing, because the paddle surfing is a no-go.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Wed afternoon, min 24°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 29°C on Sat night, min 27°C on Fri morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Sat night, light winds from the W by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 6 | E 6 | E 6 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 8 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 4 | ESE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
48 | 32 | 23 | 15 | 15 | 22 | 6 | 12 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 25 | 41 | 32 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 6 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:37AM0.19m | 11:09PM0.24m | 11:38AM0.19m | 00:01AM0.24m | 12:34PM0.19m | 00:52AM0.24m | 1:30PM0.18m | 1:41AM0.24m | 2:31PM0.18m | 2:25AM0.24m | 3:37PM0.19m | 3:05AM0.23m | 4:42PM0.19m | 3:43AM0.23m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:50PM0.09m | 6:51AM0.10m | 6:39PM0.09m | 7:44AM0.09m | 7:24PM0.09m | 8:34AM0.09m | 8:06PM0.09m | 9:23AM0.09m | 8:49PM0.10m | 10:09AM0.09m | 9:32PM0.11m | 10:54AM0.09m | 10:21PM0.12m | ||||||||
5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | |
— | 8:17 | — | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 |
Feels °C | 24 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 6 | ENE 6 | E 6 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 8 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | E 12 | ESE 8 |
17 | 17 | 23 | 13 | 7 | 22 | 6 | 12 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 25 | 41 | 32 | 23 | 21 | 3 | 6 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 16 | E 6 | E 15 | E 15 | E 5 | E 5 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | E 10 | E 12 |
32 | 31 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 5 | — | E 15 | E 15 | E 14 | E 14 | — | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | — | — | E 10 | — | — |
— | — | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 2 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | E 6 | — | — | — | SW 3 | WSW 2 | S 2 | SSW 3 | — | S 3 | S 3 | S 3 | SSW 4 | SW 4 | WSW 3 | SW 2 | SW 3 | WSW 3 | S 4 | SSW 4 |
48 | 32 | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | — | 3 | 3 | 5 | 16 | 25 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 23 | 18 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1952 | 870 | 3 | 3 | 616 | 638 | 638 | 503 | 1297 | 1305 | 1335 | 1305 | 1297 | 155 | 141 | 64 | 63 | 36 | 3 | 295 | 223 |
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.










