
Surf Forecasts:
The Inlet and Pier surf forecast from 12 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 13 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period, ESE swell with 88 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Inlet and Pier this week:
The most powerful waves expected at The Inlet and Pier in the next 16 days are 1.0m 6s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 13) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 16) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Mon 13th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Inlet and Pier over the next 16 days.
Hey everyone, Rusty here. Gotta give it to you straight – we’re looking at a tough 16-day stretch for The Inlet and Pier. The kind of forecast where your board bag stays zipped up tight. It’s a long, quiet spell throughout.
The whole story here is small, weak swell that’s getting mugged by the wind. We're starting off on Sunday, July 12th, with a tiny 3ft east swell, 5-second period, and an onshore breeze at 16 mph. The water's a balmy 79°, which is about 5° warmer than normal, so you'll be comfortable, but the waves won't be doing you any favors.
Basically, from that first day through Saturday the 18th, it's a downward spiral into flatness. The swell drops from 3ft to a mere 0.7ft by Thursday morning the 16th. From Thursday through the 18th, we’re looking at a pathetic 0.7ft with no energy. A few windows of clean wind pop up – like a light offshore on Wednesday morning the 15th – but with only 1.0ft of swell, it's the definition of a glass-off for ankle-biters.
We get one little bump in size around Monday, July 20th and Tuesday the 21st. The swell gets up to 4ft, but the period is a shocking 5 seconds. That’s pure, messy windswell. The combined energy is still low, topping out at 87. It could be fun for someone on a big kite, but for a surfboard, it’s going to be a bumpy, sectiony mess with a moderate cross-shore wind.
Once that bump fades, it's straight back to the doldrums. From Wednesday, July 22nd all the way through to the end on Monday, July 27th, we’re stuck with 1.0ft to 2ft waves and energy readings well under 60. There are more clean mornings with cross-offshore breezes, but with that amount of swell, you’re just not going to get a wave that stands up and gives you a ride.
So, the bottom line is: no standouts here. There is simply nothing worth paddling out for over this entire 16-day window. For a spot that’s as consistent as The Inlet and Pier, this is a real dry spell. The best advice is to wait it out. These flat runs don't last forever around here, and the forecast can flip. For now, it’s a time for maintenance and patience.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Wed morning, min 21°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Thu night. Warm (max 35°C on Wed afternoon, min 20°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sun 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 5 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | E 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 9 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 15 | ESE 8 | NE 4 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
51 | 88 | 72 | 38 | 22 | 11 | 18 | 26 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 3 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:35PM1.44m | 6:52AM0.96m | 7:30PM1.47m | 7:49AM1.00m | 8:25PM1.47m | 8:44AM1.04m | 9:17PM1.44m | 9:38AM1.07m | 10:07PM1.37m | 10:30AM1.09m | 10:55PM1.27m | 11:21AM1.09m | 11:42PM1.16m | 12:12PM1.08m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:11AM-0.02m | 12:59PM-0.16m | 2:05AM-0.07m | 1:55PM-0.19m | 2:56AM-0.10m | 2:50PM-0.20m | 3:45AM-0.11m | 3:44PM-0.16m | 4:33AM-0.09m | 4:38PM-0.10m | 5:20AM-0.06m | 5:34PM-0.02m | 6:07AM-0.01m | ||||||||
— | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | |
8:24 | — | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — | 8:21 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 30 | 35 | 31 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 25 |
Feels °C | 21 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 31 | 34 | 30 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 19 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 6 | S 6 | ESE 10 | ESE 6 | E 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 9 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | S 5 | S 5 | S 5 | SSE 6 | NE 4 | ENE 4 | ESE 8 | ENE 4 | ESE 8 | SE 8 |
4 | 3 | 10 | 38 | 22 | 11 | 18 | 26 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 8 | 13 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 3 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | — | — | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | ESE 9 | E 8 | SSE 6 | ESE 9 | E 16 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | SSE 5 | ESE 8 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | S 6 | S 6 |
14 | — | — | 9 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 8 | E 7 | ESE 9 | SE 5 | E 16 | E 16 | E 15 | E 15 | E 15 | ESE 8 | S 5 | E 14 | ESE 8 | NE 4 | E 13 |
— | — | — | 13 | 8 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 5 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | — | — | — | SSE 5 | SSW 4 | SW 4 | SSW 3 | S 5 | — | S 5 | — | N 3 | — | NNW 3 | NE 4 | — | S 3 | S 3 |
51 | 88 | 72 | — | — | — | 8 | 15 | 9 | 6 | 22 | — | 25 | — | 5 | — | 3 | 4 | — | 1 | 2 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1194 | 430 | 430 | 429 | 429 | 13 | 231 | 188 | 168 | 190 | 92 | 1326 | 203 | 388 | 429 | 1097 | 744 | 1060 | 2563 | 271 | 399 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Maryland | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.











