Surf Forecasts:
The Inlet and Pier surf forecast from 16 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 21 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 5s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 22 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 7s period, E swell with 345 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 21 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 5s period with S 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 Monday (Sep 21) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 9s 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 1.9m 7s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 22) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 20) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Mon 21st Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 5s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Mon 21st Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 5s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Tue 22nd Sep) | 6ft (1.9m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Inlet and Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. The next couple of weeks are going to test your patience if you’re hoping for anything decent at The Inlet and Pier. Right now, we’re looking at a whole lot of nothing – tiny, weak swell and poor conditions. From Wednesday the 16th through to the 29th, it’s mostly junk: small waves around 0.7ft to 1ft, with choppy, cross or onshore winds messing things up. There’s a little puff of energy on Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th, but it’s short-period, wind-affected slop – not worth getting excited about. The swell energy is weak, mostly in the 20s and 30s, sometimes bumping into the low 100s, but the quality just isn't there. You’re looking at a long stretch of flat, poor surf.
Then, on Wednesday the 30th of September, things finally start to wake up. The morning brings a bit of hope – a 4ft ESE swell with a light offshore wind, clean conditions, but honestly, it’s still very ordinary. The real kicker comes in the afternoon. Swell jumps to 7ft from the E, period 7 seconds, with a cross-offshore wind and clean conditions. This is the standout of the whole window – the energy jumps to a moderate 384, and it’s the first time we get a decent, surfable wave. It’s not perfect, but it’s the one to be on.
But don’t get too comfortable. Thursday the 1st of October brings a big, powerful swell – 8ft from the ESE, period 11 seconds – with strong onshore winds. The energy is huge, over 1200, but the wind is going to shred it. It’s a messy, choppy, cross-onshore mess. This is expert-only, and even then, it’s not going to be fun. There’s a lot of power there, but it’s all over the place.
So, if you’re holding out, circle Wednesday the 30th. That’s your window. The water is running much warmer than normal for this time of year – about 76°F, which is 4°F warmer than average. That’s noticeable, feels like a bit of a treat. The break itself is exposed and very consistent, so it picks up whatever’s there, but that doesn't help when the quality is this poor. Crowds are often an issue here, and with the swell on the 30th, expect some company, especially if the wind stays light. That’s your one. The rest is flat or junk. Stay patient.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Fri morning, min 19°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Warm (max 25°C on Sun night, min 21°C on Sat morning). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, fresh winds from the ENE by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | Tuesday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 5 | ESE 5 | E 5 | E 8 | E 8 | S 4 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | SE 12 | E 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | SE 11 | S 5 | ENE 4 | ENE 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 8 | 9 | 7 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 42 | 115 | 139 | 105 | 34 | 28 | 47 | 150 | 257 | 345 | 270 | 157 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 4:31PM1.12m | 4:47AM0.91m | 5:20PM1.17m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 9:50AM0.28m | 10:56PM0.34m | 10:46AM0.24m | 11:40PM0.28m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | |  | | | | | | |  |  |  | | | | | |
 | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — |
 | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:59 | — | — | 6:58 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 1 | 4 | — | 3 | 1 |
Temp °C | 19 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 25 |
Feels °C | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 28 | 25 | 22 | 21 | 24 | 26 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 5 | ESE 5 | E 5 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 7 | S 4 | E 7 | E 7 | SE 12 | ESE 12 | SE 11 | ESE 7 | E 7 | ESE 6 | SSE 5 | — | — | — | — | E 14 |
| kJ | 8 | 9 | 5 | 18 | 18 | 11 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 35 | 13 | 5 | 105 | 34 | 13 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 4 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | E 7 | S 4 | ESE 12 | SE 12 | — | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 9 | ESE 11 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 8 | 8 | 3 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 9 | 3 | 14 | 35 | — | 12 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 14 | SE 13 | SE 13 | E 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | — | — | — | — | SE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 7 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 15 | 14 | — | — | — | — | 29 | 29 | 12 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | S 2 | S 3 | S 4 | — | — | NE 3 | ENE 5 | E 6 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | S 4 | S 5 | ENE 4 | ENE 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | 14 | — | — | 2 | 42 | 115 | 139 | 89 | 28 | 28 | 47 | 150 | 257 | 345 | 270 | 157 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1143 | 1143 | 388 | 253 | 592 | 188 | 168 | 341 | 253 | 430 | 1149 | 430 | 333 | 614 | 0 | 176 | 562 | 176 | 176 | 51 | 0 |
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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