Surf Forecasts:
The Inlet and Pier surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 11s period, SE swell with glassy 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 with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 4s. The wind is predicted to be glassy 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 glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 5PM.
| 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
Hey, Rusty here. Let’s talk about The Inlet and Pier. Honestly, it’s a pretty grim outlook stretching out sixteen days. There’s a big, boring gap before we see anything close to rideable. Your first real shot doesn’t come until Wednesday the 26th of August, and even then, it’s barely worth the paddle.
Right now through Tuesday the 25th of August, it’s flat to microscopic. A whole week of nothing – tiny swells, onshore junk, messy wind. Save your energy.
Wednesday morning the 26th is the first flicker of hope. We’re looking at 1 ft from the ESE, but with a real nice long 16 second period – that’s proper groundswell, even if the height is puny. Winds are light and cross-off from the SSW, so the surface will be clean. The combined energy is 88 – weak, but those long lines have some grunt. On a beach and jetty setup, that long period might make it a bit too straight, but for a little wave, it’s the cleanest you’ll see all week. Thursday morning the 27th is similar – 2 ft from the ESE, 13 seconds, clean again. Energy hits 111 – moderate now. Still small, but surfable.
Friday morning the 28th keeps it going – 2 ft, 11 seconds, clean cross-off breeze. Energy is 98 – weak. Then from Saturday the 29th, the wind swings onshore and the chop rolls in. Sunday the 30th has the biggest swell of the entire run – 3 ft from the ESE, 12 seconds, and energy jumps to 242 – solid moderate. But wind is cross-on from the ENE at 15 mph, so it’s going to be messy and blown out. That’s kite-surfing weather, not something you want to be paddling into.
Water temp on that first mentionable day is around 80°, and it’s running well above normal for the time of year – warm water, no wetsuit needed.
No standout sessions here. If you’re really keen, Wednesday morning the 26th is your best bet, and that’s a low bar. Crowds can be an issue here normally, but with waves this ordinary, you’ll probably have it to yourself.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 51mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 29°C on Wed afternoon, min 20°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 38mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Warm (max 27°C on Sun afternoon, min 20°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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 7 | ESE 12 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 4 | E 4 | E 4 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
19 | 14 | 56 | 34 | 22 | 20 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 16 | 18 | 30 | 32 | 23 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 26 | 23 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | glassy | off | cross-on | cross | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross |
High Tide | 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 | 5:19AM0.84m | 5:56PM1.18m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 11:18AM0.19m | 00:26AM0.26m | ||||||||
6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | |
— | 7:50 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:42 | — | |
mm | — | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 43 | — | — | — | 2 | 11 | 4 | 11 | 7 | 3 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 27 | 23 | 22 | 25 | 24 |
Feels °C | 29 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 31 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 25 | 19 | 20 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 26 | 24 | 27 | 23 | 20 | 25 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | SE 6 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSE 4 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | SSE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | S 5 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 6 |
19 | 10 | 56 | 34 | 22 | 20 | 14 | 14 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 15 | 14 | 4 | 21 | 14 | 17 | 25 | 22 | 14 | 9 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | ESE 9 | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 4 | — | SE 5 | E 6 | ESE 8 | S 4 | — | — | SSE 4 | ESE 8 | S 5 | SSE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 5 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 |
6 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 14 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 13 | 11 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 14 | 26 | 23 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | ESE 12 | — | NE 4 | NE 4 | — | — | — | E 16 | E 8 | E 7 | E 14 | SE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 8 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | NE 5 | — | E 7 |
6 | 14 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 5 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 17 | 6 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 1 | — | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | S 3 | S 3 | SSE 3 | — | E 4 | E 4 | E 4 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | S 5 | — | S 5 | — | NNW 2 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 3 | — | 10 | 16 | 18 | 30 | 32 | 23 | — | 37 | — | 1 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 253 | 304 | 0 | 230 | 487 | 590 | 388 | 666 | 347 | 430 | 2563 | 429 | 304 | 304 | 487 | 482 | 203 | 9 | 13 | 8 | 161 |
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.











