Topsail Island surf break

Topsail Island surfForecast / Carolina North / USA

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 7 pm Monday 18 May 2026 EDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Topsail Island surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Topsail Island sea temperature is
20.3° C
(Which is 3.8°C colder than average for this time of year)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Topsail Island this week:

The surf forecast for Topsail Island over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (May 20) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Topsail Island in the next 16 days are 0.9m 8s and forecast to arrive on Friday (May 22) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 4s period and expected on Sunday (May 24) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (EDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Wed 20th May)2ft (0.6m) 9s
Best Surf 5AM (Wed 20th May)2ft (0.6m) 9s
Most Powerful11PM (Fri 22nd May)3ft (0.9m) 8s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Topsail Island over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Thu morning, min 21°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 27°C on Sun afternoon, min 18°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
19
Wednesday
20
Thursday
21
Friday
22
Saturday
23
Sunday
24
Mon
25
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
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
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SE
8
0.6
SE
8
0.6
SSE
8
0.6
SE
9
0.6
SE
9
0.6
SE
9
0.6
SE
8
0.7
SE
8
0.7
SE
8
0.6
SE
8
0.7
SE
8
0.7
SE
8
0.9
SSE
8
0.7
SSE
5
0.8
SSE
5
0.7
SSE
5
0.7
SSE
5
0.8
S
5
0.8
SSE
5
0.6
SE
7
0.6
SSE
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
24
45
47
61
61
59
58
69
72
55
66
67
109
23
39
28
28
31
32
39
33
Wind (km/h)
10
SSW
10
SSE
15
S
10
S
10
S
15
SSE
15
SSW
10
S
15
S
5
NNE
15
ENE
15
ESE
10
SSE
15
S
20
S
10
SSW
10
SSW
20
S
10
SSW
10
SSW
15
S
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
High Tide
9:38PM1.88m
10:01AM1.19m
10:33PM1.80m
10:59AM1.17m
11:30PM1.69m
12:02PM1.16m
00:30AM1.56m
1:09PM1.17m
1:31AM1.44m
2:16PM1.20m
2:32AM1.32m
3:20PM1.26m
3:32AM1.22m
4:19PM1.33m
Low Tide
4:10AM-0.14m
3:50PM-0.18m
5:06AM-0.09m
4:49PM-0.10m
6:03AM-0.05m
5:52PM-0.01m
7:01AM-0.01m
7:01PM0.08m
7:59AM0.02m
8:13PM0.14m
8:55AM0.03m
9:24PM0.17m
9:46AM0.03m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
rain showers
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
rain showers
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:05
6:03
6:03
6:03
6:01
6:01
6:01
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:07
8:07
8:07
8:08
8:09
8:10
8:10
8:12
3
4
1
3
1
3
1
3
Temp °C
23
24
24
22
25
25
23
26
26
24
22
24
23
25
26
24
26
27
24
26
26
25
24
23
23
25
25
24
27
25
26
23
25
25
26
25
26
27
27
26
28
27
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SE
8
0.6
SE
8
0.3
SE
10
0.6
SE
9
0.6
SE
9
0.6
SE
9
0.6
SE
8
0.7
SE
8
0.1
SE
14
0.6
SE
8
0.7
SE
8
0.7
SE
8
0.7
SE
8
0.4
SE
8
0.4
SE
8
0.4
SE
8
0.3
SE
8
0.3
SE
7
0.8
SSE
5
0.6
SE
7
0.6
SSE
7
Energy kJ
24
45
16
61
61
59
58
69
8
55
66
67
64
21
16
15
9
8
32
39
33
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
16
0.1
SE
13
0.1
S
16
0.3
SE
10
0.1
SE
15
0.1
SE
15
0.1
SE
14
0.1
SE
15
0.1
SE
14
0.1
SE
14
0.1
E
13
0.1
SE
13
0.1
E
7
0.1
SE
10
0.3
SSW
5
0.2
SSW
5
Energy kJ
5
7
5
16
8
8
8
8
8
8
4
7
1
4
4
2
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
16
0.1
SE
13
0.1
SE
16
0.1
SE
15
0.1
SE
13
0.1
E
12
0.1
S
5
0.1
E
11
Energy kJ
5
7
10
9
7
3
1
2
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SSE
4
0.6
SSE
8
0.3
SSW
3
0.4
SSW
3
0.7
SE
8
0.9
SSE
8
0.7
SSE
5
0.8
SSE
5
0.7
SSE
5
0.7
SSE
5
0.8
S
5
0.4
NW
3
0.3
ENE
2
0.5
E
4
Energy kJ
4
47
1
3
72
109
23
39
28
28
31
3
1
6
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Distance (km)
42
197
694
1094
197
697
42
75
224
0
53
188
74
42
914
59
59
202
59
324
198
Best forecast wave conditions in North Carolina
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Best forecast wave conditions in United States
Rating
(10 max)
1
4
3
1
3
3
2
1
2
1
3
2
2
2
1
2
2
1
2
2
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
5
5
4
4
4
4
5
5
7
4
8
7
5
5
4
5
4
5
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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 Topsail Island Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Topsail Island provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Topsail Island can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Topsail Island 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 (Topsail Island) 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 Topsail Island 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.

Topsail Island is 34 km (21 miles) from the city of Jacksonville. If you plan a vacation in North Carolina, look for hotels and other accommodation in Jacksonville. Jacksonville has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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