Surf Forecasts:
Surf City Pier surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period, SSW swell with 150 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 6s period with S 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 8s. 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 1.4m 6s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Surf City Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s on offer at Surf City Pier.
First up, I gotta be straight with you – the next week or so is a bit of a bummer. We’ve got a long stretch of really small, weak surf. The water temp is sitting at a warm 83.5°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year, so at least you won’t need a thick suit.
The first few days, from Thursday the 20th through to the middle of next week, are mostly flat or tiny. You’re looking at knee-high waves at best, with a lot of onshore and cross-shore wind messing things up. The swell energy is weak, hardly cracking 20 or 30 (19-66). It’s not worth paddling out for, honestly.
There’s a glimmer of hope on Sunday morning the 23rd, with a bit of a bump from the SSW at 2ft and a cross-offshore wind making it look clean. But the swell period is a short 6 seconds, so it’s gonna be weak and crumbly. Not a standout, just a moment to get wet.
The real action, the only time I’d get excited, is on Thursday the 27th of August. Finally, we see some proper energy. The combined swell energy jumps to 203 (moderate), with a 4ft SSW swell and a 6-second period. The morning looks clean with a light cross-offshore wind from the WSW. That’s our best bet for a decent session. The swell is still a bit short-period, so don’t expect the world, but it’s the biggest push we’ve seen.
Then, Friday the 28th of August morning is another shout. A 4.5ft SSW swell with glassy conditions, and the energy is up at 294. That’s the best looking window in the whole 16 days. The 7-second period is still short, but with that clean, glassy surface, it’ll be the most fun we’ll have. The swell is under 5ft, so it’s still manageable for most.
After that, the forecast drops off again into small, weak stuff for the rest of the period. The whole second week is a mix of tiny swell and onshore winds, with nothing to write home about.
So, if you’re itching for a paddle, clear your calendar for the morning of Friday the 28th. That’s the standout. The Thursday the 27th morning is a solid backup. Otherwise, we’re waiting for the next system.
Stay frothy.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Sat night. Warm (max 32°C on Thu afternoon, min 25°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Tue morning. Warm (max 31°C on Sun afternoon, min 24°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | S 5 | S 5 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | SE 12 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SSW 5 | S 6 | SE 9 | SSW 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 18 | 39 | 27 | 22 | 30 | 21 | 35 | 13 | 12 | 29 | 27 | 45 | 32 | 22 | 84 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:20PM1.35m | 2:27AM0.95m | 3:21PM1.34m | 3:30AM0.93m | 4:20PM1.36m | 4:30AM0.96m | 5:13PM1.40m | 5:23AM1.01m | 5:59PM1.45m | 6:09AM1.09m | 6:40PM1.50m | 6:51AM1.17m | 7:17PM1.54m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:53PM0.38m | 8:20AM0.27m | 9:58PM0.39m | 9:20AM0.27m | 10:55PM0.37m | 10:18AM0.25m | 11:43PM0.33m | 11:11AM0.20m | 00:25AM0.27m | 11:59AM0.16m | 1:01AM0.21m | 12:43PM0.11m | 1:35AM0.16m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | | | | | |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — |
 | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — |
mm | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 6 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 11 | 1 | — | 6 |
Temp °C | 31 | 32 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 28 | 29 | 31 | 28 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 31 | 29 |
Feels °C | 34 | 33 | 32 | 34 | 33 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 30 | 32 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 32 | 33 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 5 | SE 10 | SE 9 | S 6 | SE 9 | SE 9 |
| kJ | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 22 | 15 | 21 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 27 | 22 | 32 | 21 | 13 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 5 | — | E 6 | S 3 | SE 15 | SE 10 | SE 14 | SE 13 | SE 13 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 11 | E 7 | E 7 | SE 9 | — | E 15 |
| kJ | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 35 | 13 | 12 | 29 | 1 | 1 | 21 | — | 4 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | E 6 | — | E 6 | E 6 | SE 14 | ESE 13 | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | S 7 | S 6 | SE 6 | E 7 | — | — | E 7 | E 16 | SE 6 |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 8 | 18 | 5 | 5 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 5 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 3 | — | S 3 | S 4 | S 4 | S 5 | S 5 | — | S 6 | SW 6 | — | S 5 | S 4 | — | S 5 | SSW 5 | — | S 6 | SSW 6 |
| kJ | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | 7 | 13 | 39 | 27 | — | 30 | 15 | — | 13 | 9 | — | 15 | 45 | — | 22 | 84 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1000 | 878 | 1102 | 1000 | 1719 | 76 | 245 | 245 | 130 | 0 | 194 | 0 | 0 | 205 | 356 | 616 | 508 | 0 | 0 | 828 | 194 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Carolina | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.
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