Surf Forecasts:
The Inlet and Pier surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 12s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 11s period, ESE swell with 81 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 12s period with SE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Inlet and Pier this week:
The surf forecast for The Inlet and Pier over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 4s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at The Inlet and Pier in the next 16 days are 0.6m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Monday (Aug 31) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Inlet and Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here with the imperial version. Let’s be honest, it’s been a flat spell at The Inlet and Pier. If you’re itching to paddle out, you’ll be waiting a while – because we’ve got a solid 10-day gap of tiny, weak, and messy surf before a couple of sessions show up that are worth a look.
Starting today, the 29th of August, we’ve got a tiny 1ft SE swell with an 8-second period, and the energy is weak at just 32. There’s a cross-onshore breeze kicking up chop. Don’t bother. Water temp is 77°, which is a touch warmer than average – about 3° above the long-term normal – so the water’s warm, but the waves are missing.
Saturday the 30th through Tuesday the 3rd of September: more of the same. 1ft to 2ft of short-period slop, mixed winds, and energy readings between 15 and 27 – that’s weak. Wednesday the 4th and Thursday the 5th bump up to 2ft, but it’s still choppy and short-period, with energy hitting 84 at best – still only low-moderate. The wind is cross-onshore, so the surface is messy.
From Friday the 6th to Monday the 9th of September, it’s even smaller: 0.7ft to 1ft, mostly onshore wind, energy as low as 12. If you’re into kite surfing, the breeze might work, but for paddle surfing, it’s a flat spell.
Now, here’s the good bit. Tuesday the 10th of September morning: offshore wind from the west at 9 mph, with a 1ft SE swell and a 9-second period. Energy is 60 – modest – but that offshore breeze will clean it up. The comment says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions,” but for a quiet session on a shortboard, the Inlet and Pier could offer a few little rollers.
The real standout is Saturday the 13th of September morning. Glassy – dead calm wind – with a 4ft ENE swell. The period is short at 5 seconds, so the waves will be a bit dumpy, but the clean surface is gold. Energy is 98, borderline moderate, and the swell direction (ENE) is close to the optimum NE for this break. Crowds are often here, so get in early. This is not for beginners – 4ft on a short period can be punchy – but intermediates will find fun peaks.
Sunday the 14th of September sees a bigger 5ft ENE swell, period still short at 6 seconds, energy 184 – solid moderate. The wind goes cross-shore from the south, adding a bit of chop, but there’s plenty of push.
After that, Monday the 15th is back to 2ft and lumpy.
Best call: Saturday the 13th of September morning for glassy 4ft surf. Tuesday the 10th is a smaller but cleaner option. The first 10 days are a waste. Stay patient.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 27°C on Tue morning, min 23°C on Sat afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Thu night. Warm (max 32°C on Tue afternoon, min 23°C on Wed afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | ||||||||||||||
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 | S 4 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | E 6 | ESE 8 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
16 | 17 | 25 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 7 | 37 | 79 | 67 | 44 | 32 | 20 | 18 | 22 | 7 | 6 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross | cross | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:17PM1.26m | 9:37AM1.24m | 9:56PM1.22m | 10:19AM1.28m | 10:37PM1.15m | 11:04AM1.30m | 11:21PM1.07m | 11:53AM1.30m | 00:10AM0.99m | 12:48PM1.28m | 1:06AM0.91m | 1:52PM1.26m | 2:11AM0.87m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:03PM0.03m | 3:26AM0.05m | 3:47PM0.04m | 4:04AM0.05m | 4:34PM0.07m | 4:46AM0.06m | 5:26PM0.12m | 5:31AM0.08m | 6:22PM0.17m | 6:22AM0.11m | 7:24PM0.21m | 7:20AM0.12m | 8:30PM0.23m | |||||||
— | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | |
7:35 | — | — | 7:32 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:29 | — | — | 7:27 | — | — | 7:25 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 5 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 23 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 32 | 31 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 27 | 30 | 28 | 25 | 26 | 24 |
Feels °C | 23 | 24 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 33 | 31 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 31 | 34 | 30 | 26 | 27 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 5 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SSE 4 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSE 4 | S 4 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 9 | ENE 6 | S 4 | S 6 | SSE 6 | ESE 8 |
12 | 17 | 25 | 18 | 6 | 6 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 4 | 5 | 79 | 67 | 44 | 32 | 13 | 6 | 18 | 12 | 6 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | E 5 | SE 8 | S 4 | — | — | SE 7 | SE 12 | SSE 5 | NE 4 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | SE 9 | E 6 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | S 5 |
16 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 16 | 3 | — | — | 7 | 37 | 9 | 3 | 8 | 13 | 20 | 13 | 22 | 6 | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 5 | S 5 | E 9 | E 6 | E 9 | — | E 8 | — | E 15 | ESE 8 | SE 9 | — | S 5 | S 5 | S 3 | S 5 | SE 8 | SE 8 | E 6 | E 6 |
3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — | 4 | 7 | 20 | — | 5 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 18 | 18 | 7 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | S 3 | S 4 | — | — | — | SSE 3 | S 4 | — | NE 3 | — | E 3 | — | SSW 5 | — | N 3 | N 3 | — |
— | — | — | 5 | 17 | — | — | — | 3 | 6 | — | 3 | — | 4 | — | 7 | — | 3 | 1 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 275 | 304 | 253 | 230 | 297 | 304 | 1060 | 666 | 341 | 13 | 0 | 176 | 226 | 68 | 3 | 176 | 165 | 304 | 241 | 355 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Maryland | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the The Inlet and Pier Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for The Inlet and Pier provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at The Inlet and Pier can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our The Inlet and 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 (The Inlet and 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 The Inlet and 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.
The Inlet and Pier is 3 km (2 miles) from Ocean City. If you plan a vacation in Maryland, look for hotels and other accommodation in Ocean City. Ocean City has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











