Surf Forecasts:
The Inlet and Pier surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period, NE swell with 46 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 0.9m 6s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 5s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Inlet and Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what The Inlet and Pier has cooking for us.
Truth be told, it’s a quiet stretch ahead. The next two and a half weeks are looking flat and frustrating for anyone wanting a proper paddle. The swell energy is weak, ranging from only 1 to 64 (kilojoules) across the whole period, which is barely a bump. Nothing in the 16-day window cracks a score worth getting excited about, so we’re in for a long blank run.
From Friday the 21st right through to Saturday the 5th of September, it’s a poor outlook. Waves stay tiny, mostly between 0.7 ft and 2 ft, with short-period windswell that rarely has any push. Winds are messy too, often cross or onshore, keeping surfaces choppy. There are a few cleaner windows—like Sunday the 23rd and Monday the 24th of August with light offshore breezes and clean conditions—but even then, the swell is only 0.7 ft. That’s not surf, that’s a ripple.
The Inlet and Pier itself is a beach and jetty setup, exposed to the north-east and very consistent, which usually means it picks up everything. But right now there’s nothing to pick up. The break is suited for intermediates, and when there’s swell, crowds can be a factor, but that won’t matter this time. For a spot that’s usually so reliable, this stretch feels like a cruel joke. If you’re a kite surfer, those afternoons with moderate side-shore wind and a tiny bit of chop might look more interesting than a paddle session.
The best of a bad bunch is likely the morning of Monday the 25th of August—clean, with a light cross-offshore breeze and a tiny 0.7 ft of long-period swell (11 seconds), but we’re splitting hairs. There’s nothing here worth rushing for.
Hang in there—forecasts can change, and it doesn’t stay this poor forever.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 35mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Warm (max 26°C on Thu night, min 20°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Thu night, light winds from the SSW by Sun afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 27°C on Tue afternoon, min 21°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 8 | NE 4 | NE 6 | ESE 9 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | ESE 13 | E 8 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
7 | 18 | 20 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 5 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 26 | 23 | 11 | 11 | 22 | 22 | 10 | 16 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 2:26AM0.77m | 3:14PM1.06m | 3:28AM0.77m | 4:14PM1.08m | 4:27AM0.79m | 5:09PM1.12m | 5:19AM0.84m | 5:56PM1.18m | 6:06AM0.91m | 6:39PM1.23m | 6:50AM0.99m | 7:19PM1.26m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 12:08PM0.15m | 1:03AM0.21m | 12:54PM0.10m | 1:39AM0.15m | ||||||
— | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | |
7:47 | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:38 | — | |
mm | 6 | — | — | — | 3 | 12 | 8 | — | 6 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 26 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 |
Feels °C | 24 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 5 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SSE 4 | ESE 9 |
28 | 8 | 20 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 21 | 12 | 6 | 23 | 11 | 11 | 22 | 22 | 4 | 16 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | SSE 5 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | SE 4 | ESE 8 | E 8 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | E 6 | SE 5 | SSE 4 | ESE 10 | SE 4 |
7 | 8 | 4 | 15 | 14 | 3 | 12 | 5 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 26 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 16 | E 7 | ESE 9 | SSE 4 | SE 13 | ESE 8 | ESE 13 | ENE 5 | E 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 6 | — | E 6 | E 15 | ESE 6 | S 4 |
5 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 7 | 13 | 17 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 4 | 4 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 4 | — | — | — | — | SSE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 6 | SSW 4 | — | — | — |
— | 18 | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 104 | 2563 | 277 | 253 | 102 | 13 | 230 | 13 | 104 | 13 | 104 | 230 | 168 | 1104 | 168 | 1060 | 287 | 253 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Maryland | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.











