The Inlet and Pier Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.33° N 75.08° W

The Inlet and Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 14 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Inlet and Pier sea temperature is
24.8°C
2.6° 

The Inlet and Pier surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


The Inlet and Pier surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 16 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 7s period, E swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 22 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 7s period, ENE swell with 365 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 16 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 7s period with E 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 (Sep 16) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 14s. 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 1.8m 7s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 22) 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 4s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 20) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (EDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Wed 16th Sep)2.5ft (0.7m) 7s
Best Surf 5AM (Wed 16th Sep)2.5ft (0.7m) 7s
Most Powerful 2AM (Tue 22nd Sep)6ft (1.8m) 7s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Inlet and Pier over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s cut to it—this stretch is looking pretty ordinary for the next couple of weeks. Lots of junky waves, not much worth paddling for. But there are a couple of clean windows if you’re keen, so you gotta pick your moment.

From Tuesday the 15th through Thursday the 17th, we’ve got tiny, weak swell—nothing over 3 ft, dropping to 2 ft or less by Thursday. Wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore, chopping it up. Energy is weak, under 61 the whole time. Not worth your time unless you’re desperate.

Friday the 18th morning has a offshore wind (W at 3 mph) and it’s clean, but the swell is barely a ripple—0.7 ft. You’d be floating on a longboard, maybe catching a knee-high wave. Afternoon gets chopped again.

Saturday and Sunday (19th and 20th) bring a bit more swell—up to 3 ft—but the wind is all over. Sunday morning has cross-offshore wind (SW 16 mph) and it’s clean, but only 2 ft of swell. Energy is weak. It’s a grovel at best.

Then comes the ugly stretch. Monday the 21st through Wednesday the 23rd, the swell builds but so does the wind. We’re talking 5-7 ft of messy windslop, with onshore winds ramping from 13 mph up to 28 mph. Energy climbs from 204 to 623, but it’s all rainy, blown out, and messy. This is not surf—it’s a washing machine. Kitesurfers might love it, but paddlers, stay home.

Thursday the 24th sees the swell at 6 ft in the morning with cross-shore winds (NNE 6-13 mph). Still rough with light rain and chop, but there’s power (energy 449). Afternoon jumps to 8 ft with stronger cross-shore wind (NNE 13 mph) and energy hits 848. This is expert territory—over 8 ft is for the skilled only—but the quality is marginal. You’d be fighting it.

Friday the 25th is similar—7 ft in the morning, but winds pick up and it turns messy. Afternoon energy spikes to 1420, but with 16 mph cross-onshore winds, it’s just a mess. Saturday the 26th is a no-go with 25 mph onshore winds and 5 ft of chop. Sunday the 27th is worse—28 mph winds, rain, and 3 ft of slop. Forget it.

Here’s the bright spot: Monday the 28th morning. The swell is 4 ft from the NNE with a cross-offshore wind (NNW 16 mph). It’s clean, and there’s decent energy (138). This is the best conditions on offer in the whole window—clean, surfable, beginner-friendly. Afternoon drops to 2 ft but the wind turns cross-shore.

Tuesday the 29th morning is weak—2 ft—but the afternoon brings 4 ft from the NNE with a light cross-offshore wind (NNW 3 mph). It’s clean and surfable, though the period is short (4 seconds), so it’s windswell, not groundswell. Still, it’s the most user-friendly waves of the week.

And then we end on a sour note: Wednesday the 30th, the wind howls onshore at 25 mph, the swell is a pathetic 2 ft, and it’s messy. No good.

So, bottom line: the standout is Monday the 28th morning—4 ft, clean, decent energy. That’s your best shot. Tuesday afternoon the 29th is a backup. Everything else is too small, too blown out, or too messy. The second week is less certain, but I’m not holding my breath.

Stay patient, stay safe. It usually doesn’t stay this poor for long.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Mon night, min 19°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Sun afternoon, min 22°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
NE
5
0.9
ENE
6
0.8
ENE
6
0.7
E
7
0.6
E
8
0.6
E
7
0.4
E
6
0.6
E
8
0.5
E
8
0.4
E
7
0.4
E
7
0.4
E
6
0.2
ESE
12
0.3
ESE
12
0.8
ESE
4
0.8
E
5
0.7
E
7
0.6
E
7
0.3
ESE
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
25
45
50
51
42
38
11
44
28
16
15
14
14
27
21
37
43
33
22
Wind (km/h)
20
NE
15
ENE
15
E
10
SE
10
ESE
10
SSE
10
S
15
S
20
S
20
SSW
5
W
15
ENE
15
E
20
ESE
25
ESE
25
SSE
25
SSW
20
SSW
10
NNE
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
off
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
High Tide
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
2:32PM1.07m
2:50AM0.80m
3:35PM1.08m
3:52AM0.84m
Low Tide
4:42AM0.09m
5:28PM0.16m
5:23AM0.16m
6:18PM0.24m
6:09AM0.22m
7:12PM0.31m
6:58AM0.27m
8:09PM0.37m
7:53AM0.30m
9:09PM0.39m
8:52AM0.30m
10:06PM0.38m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
thunderstorm
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:41
6:41
6:43
6:43
6:45
6:45
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:09
7:08
7:07
7:05
7:04
7:01
7:00
 mm
14
Temp °C
23
21
21
20
20
20
21
22
23
23
25
25
23
23
23
23
26
29
26
Feels °C
19
19
19
19
20
20
21
21
21
22
26
26
24
22
22
23
26
29
27
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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