Surf Forecasts:
The Inlet and Pier surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 5s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 15 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s period, E swell with 168 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 5s 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 Sunday (Sep 13) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 8s 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 1.2m 8s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 4s period and expected on Monday (Sep 14) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 5s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 5s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Tue 15th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Inlet and Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty.
Looks like we are in for a long, flat wait here at The Inlet and Pier. The next week and a half is a no-go. Small, weak, and messy with onshore breezes. We are stuck with nothing really from now until the 22nd of September. The only thing worth paddling out for doesn't show up until Wednesday the 23rd of September.
That Wednesday morning, things finally turn. A solid 8ft groundswell from the ENE, with a 9-second period, is rolling in from a big storm (combined energy is a very strong 840). The wind is offshore from the West, light at 9 mph, so it will be clean. That afternoon gets even better. The swell bumps up to 8ft, period stretches to 9 seconds, and the energy jumps to a massive 1119. A fresh offshore starts to groom it as the day goes on. This is excellent surf, but at 8ft, this is for experienced surfers only. The water is running about average for this time of year.
If you are a beginner, this swell is way too big – 8ft is expert-only territory. For the experienced crew, this is the only true standout on the entire forecast. The long-period swell (9 seconds is decent) will hold its shape well at the jetty and pier structure.
Before that, there is a glimmer on the 22nd with a 8ft swell from the ENE, but the wind is a messy cross-shore, making conditions pretty rough. The sea state will be lumpy and churned up. That set-up looks more interesting for kite surfing than a paddle session.
After the 23rd, the wind swings back onshore and messy through the end of the month, and the big swell drops off quickly. A smaller, cleaner set-up might appear on the 27th with a 3ft swell and cross-offshore winds, but the energy is weak (106). It's just ordinary.
Bottom line: wait for Wednesday the 23rd. That morning and afternoon window is your ticket, but only if you have the chops for it.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Sun morning. Warm (max 27°C on Sun afternoon, min 20°C on Mon afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Sun afternoon, fresh winds from the N by Mon morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Thu night, min 19°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | SE 4 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | NE 4 | ENE 6 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | ESE 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 21 | 19 | 31 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 69 | 168 | 111 | 94 | 92 | 54 | 53 | 38 | 37 | 15 | 14 | 27 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 8:51AM1.27m | 9:13PM1.22m | 9:35AM1.29m | 9:55PM1.14m | 10:17AM1.27m | 10:36PM1.05m | 11:01AM1.24m | 11:18PM0.97m | 11:46AM1.19m | 00:02AM0.89m | 12:35PM1.13m | 00:51AM0.83m | 1:30PM1.09m | 1:48AM0.80m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:09PM-0.05m | 3:24AM-0.02m | 3:54PM-0.00m | 4:02AM0.03m | 4:40PM0.07m | 4:42AM0.09m | 5:28PM0.16m | 5:23AM0.16m | 6:18PM0.24m | 6:09AM0.22m | 7:12PM0.31m | 6:58AM0.27m | 8:09PM0.37m | ||||||||
 | |  |  |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — |
 | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:12 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:08 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:04 | — |
mm | — | — | 8 | 9 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 23 | 24 | 26 | 23 | 27 | 27 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 27 | 30 | 23 |
Feels °C | 22 | 25 | 27 | 25 | 30 | 29 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | E 9 | SE 10 | SE 4 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | E 15 | E 15 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | ESE 12 |
| kJ | 21 | 1 | 24 | 10 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 16 | 4 | 4 | 111 | 94 | 92 | 54 | 53 | 38 | 37 | 15 | 14 | 27 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 8 | SE 10 | ESE 5 | S 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | S 6 | — | E 14 | SE 14 | SE 13 | SE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | S 4 |
| kJ | — | — | 1 | 24 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 1 | — | 4 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 8 | E 7 | S 4 | E 4 | E 5 | — | E 15 | E 15 | — | — | — | — | — | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 5 |
| kJ | — | — | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | — | 4 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | — | — | — | N 4 | N 4 | NE 4 | ENE 6 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 3 | ENE 4 |
| kJ | 11 | 19 | 31 | — | — | — | 18 | 11 | 18 | 69 | 168 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 16 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1149 | 1149 | 0 | 13 | 13 | 3 | 350 | 104 | 666 | 665 | 665 | 68 | 68 | 68 | 101 | 564 | 1052 | 3 | 168 | 355 | 253 |
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.
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