Rodanthe Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m looking at what’s on offer for the Outer Banks, specifically around Rodanthe Pier. To be straight with you, the outlook for the next 16 days is a tough one. There’s a long stretch of flat, blown-out conditions that starts today and runs right through until the end of the month. I’m talking about a solid 10-day gap with no real surf to speak of.

From Saturday, July 18th, through to Sunday, July 26th, we’ve got nothing but tiny, weak swell. The waves are mostly below 2 ft, with a short period of 8 seconds or less. The wind is a mess, mostly cross-off or cross-on, and often a fresh breeze, so the surface is going to be chopped up and messy. Even the few glassy moments, like Monday morning, July 20th, with a tiny 2 ft swell and a 4-second period, won’t give you anything to ride. The combined wave energy is in the weak range, often under 100, so it’s basically a lake out there.

The first real sign of life comes on Tuesday, July 28th. For the morning and afternoon, we get a clean, offshore wind from the WSW at 18–21 mph, and the swell bumps up to 3 ft from the NNE. It’s still a short period of 6 seconds, and the combined energy is only 95, so it’s not powerful, but it’s clean. This is a beginner-friendly wave, but don’t expect any punch. The wind is fresh offshore, so the faces will be clean, but crowds are possible at the pier.

Then, on Wednesday, July 29th, the swell starts to build. By Thursday, July 30th, we see the best energy of the whole forecast. The morning has a 4 ft swell from the ESE, and the afternoon hits 5 ft from the same direction. The period is still short at 6 seconds, but the combined energy jumps to 132 and 166 (moderate wave energy). The problem is the wind. It’s a fresh cross-onshore breeze from the NE at 15–18 mph, so it’s going to be choppy and lumpy. This will be a messy, punchy wave that’s better suited for a strong paddler or maybe even a kite surfer than a traditional surfer looking for clean lines. The water temperature is running about 80°, which is a touch over 1° cooler than average for this time of year—nothing crazy, just a little on the fresh side.

After that, the swell drops off quickly, and we’re back to tiny, weak waves through the first of August.

So, the one standout is Thursday, July 30th, at Rodanthe Pier. The swell is the biggest of the period, but the wind is against it. It’s a messy, lumpy day with moderate energy. It’s not a classic, but it’s the only real game in town. For the rest of the time, leave the board at home.

Rusty.

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