Surf Forecasts:
The Inlet and Pier surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 11s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 11s period, SE swell with 56 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 11s 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 11s period. 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 0.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 5s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Inlet and Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, it’s Rusty.
Straight up, the next couple of weeks are looking pretty grim for a proper paddle. We’ve got a long, flat spell on our hands. From now until the end of the month, there’s basically nothing worth paddling out for at The Inlet and Pier. We’re talking a solid week-plus of ankle-biters and closeouts. The swell energy is weak, with values mostly in the single digits and low twenties, like 2, 5, 14, and 23. It’s not even worth getting the wetsuit on for most of this.
You’ll see a bit of a pulse in the water around the 25th, with the swell bumping up to 3ft to 5ft, but the wind is all over the place and the energy is still pretty messy. That’s not your wave. The 27th and 28th see the energy pick up into the 100s and even 400s, but it’s still wind-blown and lumpy, with a bad cross-onshore breeze. The swell direction is from the ESE, which isn't what this spot wants – it needs NE. All that energy is just going to be a washing machine.
The one bright spot, if you can call it that, is the morning of the 30th of August. It’s still not great, but it’s the only time we get a marginal call. The swell is a bit bigger at 4ft, but the period drops to 8 seconds, so it’s just a short-period windswell, not the clean groundswell we’d want. The wind is a cross-shore, which is going to chop it up. It’s a far cry from a standout.
Honestly, for the next 16 days, unless you’re into getting worked for nothing, this stretch looks more interesting for a kite surfer than a surfer. The water temp is sitting at 79°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least it won’t be cold while you watch the flatness.
Hang in there. Forecasts can always change, but as it stands, this is a blank run for the area. Sometimes it just goes like that.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Warm (max 30°C on Mon afternoon, min 24°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 31mm), heaviest during Thu afternoon. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 22°C on Fri afternoon). Winds increasing (calm on Thu afternoon, fresh winds from the NNE by Fri afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 4 | SE 9 | SE 6 | SE 7 | SE 6 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ENE 5 | ESE 8 | S 6 | ESE 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
2 | 3 | 19 | 22 | 20 | 56 | 34 | 30 | 8 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 8 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 23 | 14 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | glassy | off | cross | on | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:36AM1.17m | 11:53PM1.00m | 12:24PM1.13m | 00:39AM0.90m | 1:15PM1.09m | 1:30AM0.82m | 2:12PM1.06m | 2:26AM0.77m | 3:14PM1.06m | 3:28AM0.77m | 4:14PM1.08m | 4:27AM0.79m | 5:09PM1.12m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:00PM0.11m | 6:08AM0.10m | 6:54PM0.20m | 6:53AM0.16m | 7:51PM0.27m | 7:41AM0.21m | 8:51PM0.32m | 8:33AM0.24m | 9:53PM0.34m | 9:28AM0.25m | 10:53PM0.34m | 10:25AM0.23m | 11:45PM0.31m | ||||||||
6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | |
— | 7:52 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:43 | — | |
mm | 3 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 30 | 29 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 30 | 28 |
Feels °C | 30 | 33 | 32 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 24 | 22 | 27 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SE 7 | SE 6 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | SSE 5 | ESE 8 | S 4 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | E 4 | ENE 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 |
24 | 17 | 19 | 22 | 20 | 56 | 34 | 30 | 8 | 5 | 14 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 15 | 14 | 9 | 7 | 19 | 10 | 7 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | — | SE 12 | ESE 12 | — | SSE 5 | — | SSE 6 | ESE 8 | SSE 5 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SSE 5 | ESE 4 | ESE 8 | SSE 4 | ENE 5 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 |
2 | 2 | — | 6 | 14 | — | 5 | — | 3 | 14 | 6 | 14 | 8 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 13 | 4 | 4 | 14 | 14 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 9 | — | — | — | — | S 5 | — | — | S 3 | E 6 | E 16 | E 8 | E 7 | E 14 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ENE 4 | E 7 |
— | 3 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 3 | — | SE 5 | — | — | NE 4 | ENE 4 | NE 4 | — | — | — | S 6 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 6 | — | — | 6 | 5 | 3 | — | — | — | 23 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 13 | 136 | 104 | 168 | 341 | 0 | 17 | 304 | 304 | 590 | 1448 | 177 | 355 | 161 | 350 | 13 | 13 | 51 | 3 | 9 | 168 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Maryland | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











