Surf Forecasts:
38th St Beach surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 10s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s period, S swell with 95 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 10s period with SE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for 38th St Beach this week:
The surf forecast for 38th St Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 4s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at 38th St Beach in the next 16 days are 1.1m 6s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for 38th St Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s going on at 38th St Beach.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – the next week and a half is pretty bleak. We’re looking at a long stretch of tiny, weak surf with poor conditions. For days on end, we’ve got nothing but knee-high slop and rippled-up surfaces. The energy levels are low, often under 100 (like 26 to 63), so there’s just no push. The wind is mostly onshore or cross-shore, messing up what little shape there is. It’s the kind of run where you’re better off leaving the board in the car.
The first real glimmer of hope doesn’t show up until the very end of the forecast – Monday, August 31st, in the morning. That’s a full ten days of waiting. But when it comes, it might just be worth it.
On Monday morning, the 31st of August, we see a jump in swell to 6 ft from the east, with a period of 7 seconds. The combined energy hits 254 (moderate). Now, the size is starting to get a bit much for beginners, but it’s solid. The wind is light and offshore from the WSW, so the surface should be clean. This is your standout window for the whole 16 days. The swell direction (E) is coming from the east, which isn't perfect for the break's optimum SE, but with that offshore wind and decent size, it’s the best we’ve got. Expect some crowds though – this spot is often packed.
Sadly, by the afternoon the wind swings onshore from the south at 12 mph, and it turns to junk. So that Monday morning window is the one to aim for. After that, it drops back into the doldrums.
So, if you’re patient, you’ll get a clean, fun session on the 31st. Otherwise, it’s a long wait for very little.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 31°C on Wed afternoon, min 24°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 27mm), heaviest during Sat morning. Warm (max 28°C on Sun afternoon, min 22°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ENE 4 | E 5 | E 5 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | S 6 | SSE 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 21 | 20 | 22 | 18 | 47 | 31 | 12 | 7 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 23 | 15 | 49 | 33 | 32 | 16 | 39 | 56 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 00:31AM1.18m | 1:06PM1.30m | 1:18AM1.07m | 1:53PM1.25m | 2:06AM0.98m | 2:45PM1.22m | 3:05AM0.92m | 3:47PM1.21m | 4:16AM0.90m | 4:49PM1.23m | 5:17AM0.92m | 5:41PM1.27m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:34AM0.20m | 7:16PM0.31m | 7:18AM0.29m | 8:11PM0.39m | 8:03AM0.36m | 9:11PM0.44m | 8:55AM0.41m | 10:17PM0.45m | 9:56AM0.43m | 11:15PM0.42m | 10:55AM0.40m | 00:05AM0.37m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | | | |  | | |  | | |  |  |  | | |  | |
 | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — |
 | 7:51 | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:42 | — |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | — | 3 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 4 | — | 5 |
Temp °C | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 31 | 29 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 29 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SE 7 | SSE 6 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SSE 6 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSE 4 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | S 5 | ESE 8 | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 6 | SSE 6 |
| kJ | 21 | 20 | 22 | 16 | 47 | 31 | 6 | 7 | 14 | 14 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 32 | 16 | 6 | 56 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 11 | NE 4 | — | SE 9 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 3 | ESE 8 | S 4 | S 5 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SSE 5 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 |
| kJ | 3 | 6 | 6 | 18 | 1 | — | 12 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 14 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 16 | 14 | 14 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | — | SE 12 | NE 4 | NE 4 | — | S 5 | — | — | SE 4 | E 15 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 9 | S 5 | SE 13 | SE 8 | E 8 | ENE 5 |
| kJ | 4 | — | 22 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 2 | — | E 3 | — | — | SW 3 | WSW 2 | — | — | — | — | ENE 4 | E 5 | E 5 | E 5 | — | SSE 4 | S 6 | — |
| kJ | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 23 | 15 | 49 | 33 | — | 15 | 39 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 165 | 109 | 275 | 55 | 0 | 438 | 36 | 261 | 2488 | 486 | 36 | 977 | 467 | 43 | 111 | 3 | 3 | 33 | 33 |
Best forecast wave conditions in New Jersey | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the 38th St Beach Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for 38th St Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at 38th St Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our 38th St Beach 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 (38th St Beach) 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 38th St Beach 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.
38th St Beach is 4 km (2 miles) from Atlantic City. If you plan a vacation in New Jersey, look for hotels and other accommodation in Atlantic City. Atlantic City has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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