Surf Forecasts:
Surf City Pier surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 6s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 6s period, SSW swell with 182 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 9s period with SE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Surf City Pier this week:
The surf forecast for Surf City Pier over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 4s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 4s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Surf City Pier in the next 16 days are 1.6m 6s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Surf City Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s see what we’re working with.
To be honest, it’s a pretty bleak stretch of days ahead. There’s a big gap of almost no surf worth a damn until late in the month. The first session that might get you out of bed isn’t until the 22nd of August, and it’s still just small, average stuff.
Your best chance for a wave is Saturday morning, August the 24th at Surf City Pier (sandbar). There’s a 4ft swell rolling in from the south, with a 6-second period (short period, so it’ll be a bit weak), and the combined energy is moderate (201). The wind is light and a little onshore, so it’s not perfect, but it’s the best on offer by a long shot.
The other one to note is Thursday afternoon, August the 29th. Swell is 3ft from the SSW, but the wind turns cross-offshore from the west-northwest, which will have it looking clean and glassy. The combined energy is also moderate (221). It’s not going to be a classic, but it might be the most fun you have over this whole forecast.
The water temp is about normal for this time of year, so no surprises there. Most days are just too small, too choppy, or both.
Aim for the 24th morning or the 29th afternoon if you’re desperate for a paddle.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Wed night. Warm (max 34°C on Tue afternoon, min 25°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 33mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 32°C on Fri afternoon, min 24°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
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 8 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSW 5 | SE 8 | ESE 9 | S 5 | S 5 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
21 | 68 | 75 | 48 | 42 | 40 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 25 | 17 | 16 | 22 | 35 | 64 | 69 | 76 | 126 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-on | glassy | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:49PM1.23m | 12:28PM1.42m | 00:36AM1.11m | 1:22PM1.38m | 1:28AM1.01m | 2:20PM1.35m | 2:27AM0.95m | 3:21PM1.34m | 3:30AM0.93m | 4:20PM1.36m | 4:30AM0.96m | 5:13PM1.40m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:52AM0.10m | 6:46PM0.26m | 6:36AM0.17m | 7:47PM0.34m | 7:25AM0.23m | 8:53PM0.38m | 8:20AM0.27m | 9:58PM0.39m | 9:20AM0.27m | 10:55PM0.37m | 10:18AM0.25m | 11:43PM0.33m | |||||||
— | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
7:54 | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:47 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 9 | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | 7 | — | 1 | 11 | 3 | 8 | 1 |
Temp °C | 31 | 33 | 34 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 28 | 31 | 32 | 29 | 31 | 32 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 24 |
Feels °C | 34 | 36 | 35 | 33 | 35 | 34 | 33 | 35 | 34 | 31 | 34 | 34 | 32 | 31 | 32 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 5 | SE 8 | ESE 9 | S 5 | ESE 9 | S 6 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 12 |
21 | 68 | 75 | 48 | 42 | 40 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 12 | 15 | 64 | 6 | 6 | 14 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | SSW 4 | SE 8 | — | S 4 | SW 5 | SSE 4 | SSW 5 | E 6 | E 6 | SE 8 | SE 15 | SE 14 | ESE 9 | SE 13 | ESE 8 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 8 |
3 | 6 | 23 | — | 4 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 17 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 7 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 6 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | E 5 | E 5 | — | — | — | SSW 4 | E 6 | — | — | E 15 | E 6 | SE 10 | SE 14 | E 8 | SE 13 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
4 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | 4 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 4 | SW 4 | S 3 | SSW 4 | — | S 4 | — | SSE 4 | S 4 | S 4 | SSW 5 | S 5 | S 4 | S 5 | S 5 | — | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 |
15 | 9 | 5 | 6 | — | 3 | — | 3 | 6 | 17 | 25 | 15 | 15 | 22 | 35 | — | 69 | 76 | 126 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 783 | 36 | 208 | 0 | 194 | 227 | 231 | 870 | 2161 | 1102 | 655 | 586 | 0 | 130 | 0 | 0 | 158 | 130 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Carolina | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Surf City Pier Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Surf City Pier provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Surf City Pier can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Surf City 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 (Surf City 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 Surf City 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.
Surf City Pier is 37 km (23 miles) from the city of Wilmington. If you plan a vacation in North Carolina, look for hotels and other accommodation in Wilmington. Wilmington has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











