
Surf Forecasts:
Surf City Pier surf forecast from 2 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 9s period, SE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 10s period, SE swell with 115 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 3 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 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 Thursday (Sep 03) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 9s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Surf City Pier in the next 16 days are 0.8m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore 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 (Sep 05) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Surf City Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what’s on the cards for Surf City Pier over the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, it’s a pretty quiet outlook. We’re looking at a long stretch of small, weak surf that’s mostly blown out by cross or onshore winds, so there’s not much to get excited about for a while. The first surf that’s even worth a mention doesn’t show up until Wednesday the 17th of September.
For that whole first week, from Wednesday the 2nd right through to Tuesday the 16th, it’s all "poor surf conditions." Swell heights stay tiny, mostly between 1.0ft and 3ft at best, and the combined swell energy is weak, often under 100. The wind is almost always cross-onshore or cross, which means choppy, bumpy conditions. Even the few glassy or clean moments are on such small, gutless swell that it’s not doing anyone any favours.
Now, the one day that finally gives us a tiny glimmer of hope is Wednesday the 17th of September. On the morning of that day, we see some improvement. The wind goes totally glassy – dead calm, 0 mph, which is a massive positive for clean conditions. The swell is small, around 3ft from the east with a period of 6 seconds, but the wave comment finally says "surfable waves," scoring a 1. It’s not a standout by any means – the swell is short-period and the combined energy is a weak 57 – but after this long dry run, it’s the only window where you could actually get a clean little wave. The water temp is a pleasant 82°F, which is about average for this time of year. This one (Surf City Pier) is an exposed sandbar, and with it being very consistent, there’s at least a chance of a wave. After that morning window, the wind swings back onshore by the afternoon and it all goes messy again. The rest of the week after that doesn’t offer any improvement.
So, if you’re desperate for a paddle, set the alarm for the morning of the 17th. It’s not going to be epic, but it’s the only clean option on the board.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 31°C on Wed afternoon, min 24°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 39mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 33°C on Sat afternoon, min 22°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | ||||||||||||||
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 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 5 | SSW 4 | S 5 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 5 | E 5 | ESE 5 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
117 | 83 | 65 | 62 | 34 | 26 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 34 | 49 | 51 | 62 | 74 | 41 | 32 | 25 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:54PM1.21m | 12:40PM1.60m | 00:51AM1.14m | 1:45PM1.60m | 1:58AM1.10m | 2:55PM1.61m | 3:12AM1.12m | 4:05PM1.64m | 4:23AM1.18m | 5:08PM1.68m | 5:27AM1.29m | 6:04PM1.70m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:03PM0.20m | 5:54AM0.07m | 7:06PM0.25m | 6:51AM0.09m | 8:17PM0.28m | 7:57AM0.10m | 9:30PM0.27m | 9:10AM0.09m | 10:36PM0.22m | 10:21AM0.05m | 11:33PM0.15m | 11:26AM0.00m | 00:24AM0.08m | |||||||
— | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | |
7:35 | — | — | 7:34 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:27 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | 39 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 31 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 29 | 31 | 28 | 30 | 33 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 32 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 32 | 32 | 29 | 32 | 34 | 30 | 28 | 31 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | S 5 | — | ESE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | E 11 | ESE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 |
117 | 83 | 65 | 62 | 34 | 26 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 7 | — | 8 | 12 | 11 | 2 | 41 | 32 | 25 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | S 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | S 6 | SSE 5 | — | E 7 | ESE 8 | — | E 8 | S 5 | S 5 | E 9 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 |
— | — | — | — | 1 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 5 | — | 1 | 6 | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 15 | 13 | 13 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 12 | — | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
— | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 18 | 8 | 8 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 3 | — | — | SSW 3 | — | S 4 | SSW 4 | S 5 | SSW 4 | S 5 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 5 | E 5 | ESE 5 | ESE 6 | — | — | — |
— | 1 | — | — | 3 | — | 9 | 15 | 12 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 34 | 49 | 51 | 62 | 74 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 238 | 36 | 191 | 251 | 227 | 436 | 655 | 356 | 1844 | 2174 | 760 | 91 | 839 | 516 | 568 | 522 | 59 | 191 | 213 | 573 |
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.










