
Surf Forecasts:
Surf City Pier surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 22 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 6s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 7s period, SSW swell with 365 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 22 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s 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 Wednesday (Jul 22) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 9s. 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 1.8m 7s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Surf City Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Lookin’ at the next 16 days for Surf City Pier, and I gotta be straight with ya – it’s a real dry spell. There’s no proper surf on the cards for a good stretch, so don’t get your hopes up for anything decent.
We start off with nothing. Thursday the 16th and Friday the 17th are flat-out poor – tiny 1ft to 1ft slop with cross-onshore winds messin’ things up. That continues day after day. The weekend of the 18th and 19th sees a bit more size, but it’s still junk. Saturday the 18th has a 2ft swell but with a 4-second period – that’s wind chop, not surf. Sunday the 19th bumps up to 5ft to 6ft from the S, with a 7-second period, but the wind is a fresh 19 mph cross-shore, making it lumpy and ugly. Combined energy hits 298 (moderate), but it’s a mess.
The only real glimmer comes on Wednesday the 22nd. The morning brings a 5ft SSW swell with a 7-second period, and it’s got clean conditions thanks to a light WNW cross-offshore breeze. The afternoon gets even better – 5ft SSW swell, 6-second period, and a NNE wind of 6 mph, also cross-offshore. That’s clean, surfable waves. The combined energy jumps to 294 (moderate). It’s not a stand-out by any means, but it’s the best you’ll see. Still, with a short period and a sandbar break, it’ll be a bit mushy and inconsistent. Crowds are “sometimes” here, so you might have a few locals out, but not a circus.
After that, it’s back to the doldrums. Thursday the 23rd drops to 2ft, and the rest of the month is a grim mix of weak swells, cross-onshore winds, and poor surf. The 30th of July morning has a 5ft SSW swell with a 7-second period and a light onshore wind, but it’s marked as “marginal” – not worth paddlin’ out for. The water temp is a warm 82°F, which is about average for this time of year, so at least you won’t freeze.
Honestly, if you’re desperate for a paddle, Wednesday the 22nd afternoon is your only shot. The rest of the 16 days is a write-off. This area’s known for long flat spells, so this ain’t unusual. Fingers crossed the forecasts change, but for now, keep the board in the van.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Fri afternoon, min 26°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 31°C on Sun morning, min 26°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSW 4 | S 6 | S 7 | S 7 | SSW 7 | S 7 | SSE 7 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | S 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | S 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
15 | 15 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 15 | 143 | 235 | 298 | 365 | 124 | 73 | 52 | 36 | 58 | 220 | 180 | 165 | 72 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 9:32AM1.33m | 10:00PM1.71m | 10:26AM1.36m | 10:49PM1.59m | 11:21AM1.37m | 11:37PM1.44m | 12:16PM1.36m | 00:26AM1.29m | 1:11PM1.35m | 1:17AM1.14m | 2:08PM1.34m | 2:11AM1.03m | 3:05PM1.34m | 3:08AM0.94m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:28PM-0.19m | 4:21AM-0.14m | 4:24PM-0.10m | 5:08AM-0.11m | 5:20PM-0.00m | 5:54AM-0.06m | 6:19PM0.10m | 6:39AM-0.00m | 7:20PM0.20m | 7:26AM0.06m | 8:25PM0.26m | 8:14AM0.12m | 9:31PM0.30m | ||||||||
6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | |
— | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:20 | — | — | 8:20 | — | — | 8:19 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 5 | 1 | — | 10 | 4 | — | — | 5 | 29 | 16 |
Temp °C | 30 | 31 | 28 | 31 | 32 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 21 |
Feels °C | 33 | 32 | 30 | 34 | 33 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 32 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 28 | 31 | 34 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 13 | — | — | S 7 | S 7 | SSE 7 | S 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 6 | S 7 |
15 | 15 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 3 | — | — | 212 | 124 | 73 | 52 | 22 | 23 | 3 | 12 | 116 | 72 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | — | — | E 13 | E 13 | — | — | — | — | — | SE 8 | SE 7 | — | — | — | — | SE 9 | SE 7 |
5 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 4 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 8 | — | — | — | — | 13 | 14 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 4 | SSW 3 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | S 6 | S 7 | S 7 | SSW 7 | — | — | — | S 6 | S 6 | S 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | ENE 4 |
1 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 11 | 5 | 5 | 15 | 143 | 235 | 298 | 365 | — | — | — | 36 | 58 | 220 | 180 | 165 | 19 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1013 | 882 | 870 | 2161 | 1519 | 865 | 1530 | 525 | 573 | 299 | 251 | 47 | 231 | 920 | 920 | 409 | 616 | 474 | 0 | 0 | 91 |
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.










