
Surf Forecasts:
Surf City Pier surf forecast from 30 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 3 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 7s period, S swell with 200 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Surf City Pier this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Surf City Pier in the next 16 days are 1.5m 7s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 03) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 3s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 30) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Surf City Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s talk about what’s happening at Surf City Pier.
Honestly, looking at the whole 16-day window, it’s a pretty flat and frustrating stretch. There are no big swells rolling in, and the wind is working against us most of the time. You’re going to see a lot of those "poor surf conditions" tags in the data, which tells the story. For a spot that’s very consistent, this is a real bummer of a run.
We kick off on Thursday, July 30th. There’s a tiny 2ft swell from the south, but it’s short-period at 7 seconds and the wind is messy. Thursday afternoon turns onshore. Friday the 31st is even smaller – 1ft – with more onshore wind. This pattern pretty much holds through the first weekend into early next week. Saturday and Sunday, August 1st and 2nd, we see that same tiny, weak energy (combined energy is only 22 to 39) with onshore or cross-onshore wind. Nothing worth paddling out for.
There’s a bit of a bump on Sunday afternoon, August 2nd, where the swell bumps up to 4ft from the SSE with a combined energy of 248, which is moderate energy. But the wind is a moderate cross-onshore and there are thunderstorms risk. Not clean, not good. Monday August 3rd has similar energy (176-308) with the same onshore wind and chaotic conditions. That’s a lot of messy water for a beach break setup.
From Tuesday August 4th all the way through to the end of the forecast, it’s more of the same: tiny swell, mostly 1ft to 2ft, with onshore or cross-shore wind. The water temperature is sitting around 83°F, which is about average for the time of year, so no strange anomalies to report there.
There are a couple of moments that catch my eye, but they’re not standouts. On Thursday August 6th morning and Friday August 7th morning, we get glassy conditions with a zero wind reading from the south, and the swell is a tiny 2-2ft. The waves are clean, but they’re tiny – maybe a fun little longboard or a kid's session if you’re desperate.
The “best” of the lot, and I use that term loosely, is on Saturday August 8th morning. We get a 2ft SE swell, a period of 9 seconds, and glassy conditions. The combined energy is 79, which is weak, but the zero wind and clean surface is a huge positive. The comment says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions” – that’s your best shot. Sunday August 9th morning is similar, with 3ft swell and clean cross-off wind, but again, the energy is minimal (82). For a break that’s very consistent, it’s a long, flat wait.
Overall, there is no true standout. The only worthwhile window is August 8th and 9th mornings, but that’s small stuff for soft rollers. Don’t expect any juice. The whole run is a bust, with about 16 days of tiny, weak swell and poor wind. It’s the kind of stretch where a kiteboarder might look at the wind and think it’s more interesting than a surfer. Keep the boards in the car, but don't hold your breath.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Thu afternoon, min 23°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 28mm), heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 28°C on Sun morning, min 24°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 7 | S 6 | S 6 | S 7 | S 7 | S 6 | SE 6 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | S 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
32 | 30 | 20 | 26 | 35 | 19 | 17 | 29 | 12 | 60 | 35 | 144 | 117 | 54 | 41 | 31 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 17 | 17 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 8:38AM1.12m | 8:59PM1.52m | 9:16AM1.18m | 9:34PM1.50m | 9:55AM1.23m | 10:09PM1.45m | 10:35AM1.29m | 10:47PM1.38m | 11:18AM1.34m | 11:28PM1.30m | 12:07PM1.40m | 00:14AM1.21m | 1:01PM1.46m | 1:07AM1.12m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:26PM0.05m | 3:21AM0.07m | 3:06PM0.05m | 3:52AM0.05m | 3:47PM0.07m | 4:25AM0.04m | 4:32PM0.10m | 4:59AM0.03m | 5:21PM0.14m | 5:37AM0.02m | 6:16PM0.18m | 6:21AM0.02m | 7:19PM0.21m | ||||||||
6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | |
— | 8:13 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:07 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 27 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 30 | 27 |
Feels °C | 27 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | S 6 | S 6 | S 7 | S 7 | S 6 | SSW 6 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 | — | — | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 |
32 | 30 | 20 | 26 | 35 | 19 | 6 | 29 | 12 | 60 | 35 | — | — | 54 | 30 | 27 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 17 | 17 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | SE 10 | — | SE 10 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 8 | E 6 | — | — | — | — | — | S 6 | — | — | E 12 | — | E 13 |
1 | 4 | — | 4 | 3 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 7 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | — | — | 3 | — | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | — | SE 10 | — | — | E 7 | — | SW 5 | S 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 8 | — | — | — | — | — |
1 | — | 4 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 4 | SE 6 | — | SE 4 | SSE 4 | SSE 5 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSW 6 | S 6 | SSW 6 | S 5 | S 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 |
— | — | — | — | — | 5 | 17 | — | 12 | 18 | 20 | 144 | 117 | 43 | 41 | 31 | 22 | 15 | 6 | 5 | 8 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 80 | 194 | 80 | 194 | 891 | 231 | 891 | 920 | 1111 | 1204 | 613 | 594 | 583 | 508 | 508 | 356 | 507 | 583 | 616 | 1979 | 613 |
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.











