Virginia Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 36.82° N 75.97° W

Virginia Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 18 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Virginia Beach sea temperature is
26.7° C
1.2° 

Virginia Beach surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Virginia Beach surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 11s period, SE swell with 59 kJ wave energy.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Virginia Beach this week:

The most powerful waves expected at Virginia Beach in the next 16 days are 0.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 4s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (EDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful 5PM (Tue 18th Aug)1.5ft (0.5m) 11s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Virginia Beach over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s get into it. Rusty here, and I’ve gotta be straight with you—this is a tough stretch for Virginia Beach. The next 16 days are looking pretty flat and uninspiring for the most part. We’re dealing with a long run of poor surf conditions, with only a couple of tiny windows where things might just be worth a paddle.

The whole period starts off with a real dud. From Tuesday the 18th of August right through to Tuesday the 25th, it’s basically a write-off. Swell is tiny, mostly around 1 ft to 2 ft, with short periods under 10 seconds, and the combined energy is weak—often in the low double digits (like 15 to 83). Winds are a mixed bag of onshore, cross-on, and cross-off, but none of it is enough to make the small surf worthwhile. The water temperature is sitting at 80°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least you won’t freeze while you’re sitting there waiting for a wave.

We finally see a little flicker of life on Wednesday the 26th of August. The morning shows a 1 ft swell from the ESE, but the period jumps to a very long 16 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell pulse, and combined energy hits 103—moderate. The wind is light and cross-off from the SSW, so the surface will be clean. This is the first real standout. Virginia Beach (the beach/jetty setup) might see a few longer-period lines, but with that period, it’ll be a bit straight-breaking for the beach. Still, for a small wave, it’s the best on offer. The rest of the day and into the 27th, the swell ticks up a bit to 2 ft from the E, with periods around 13 seconds, and energy up to 158. Winds stay cross-off, so it’s clean, but the waves are still very ordinary. It’s small, but if you’re keen, the 27th of August could give you a few fun, clean waves.

The 28th of August is another tiny highlight. The morning is a bit messy, but by the afternoon we get a glassy 2 ft ESE swell, period 11 seconds, and energy at 112. That’s a glassy surface, which is rare, and the waves are surfable, just very ordinary. The 30th of August has a bit more size—3 ft from the ESE with a period of 11 seconds, energy up to 191—but it’s onshore wind, so chop will be an issue.

The very end of the run, on the 2nd of September, gives us a glassy morning with a 1 ft ESE swell, but period is only 8 seconds, so energy is low at 50. It’s clean, but tiny.

Overall, the standout is the 26th and 27th of August. The combination of a long-period groundswell, clean cross-off winds, and moderate energy makes it the best shot at a session. But keep expectations low—this is really small stuff. For beginners, it’s fine, but for anyone looking for a proper wave, it’s a waiting game.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 44mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 32°C on Thu afternoon, min 22°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 45mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 27°C on Sun afternoon, min 22°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
AM
PM
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
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)
0.4
SE
9
0.5
SE
11
0.4
ESE
10
0.4
SE
9
0.4
SE
9
0.4
SE
9
0.3
ESE
8
0.6
SE
8
0.3
ESE
8
0.3
ESE
8
0.3
ESE
9
0.3
ESE
9
0.3
ESE
9
0.2
E
13
0.3
E
8
0.3
ESE
8
0.4
SSE
7
0.4
SE
7
0.3
ESE
12
0.3
ESE
12
0.3
ESE
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
27
59
40
22
20
19
13
54
13
13
16
16
15
14
12
12
17
14
27
26
23
Wind (km/h)
10
NNW
10
N
5
E
10
NE
15
ESE
10
S
5
SW
20
SE
10
E
25
NNE
20
NE
15
ENE
10
E
10
ENE
10
SW
15
SW
20
SW
10
NW
15
NNE
15
E
15
ESE
Wind State
cross-off
cross
glassy
cross-on
on
cross
cross-off
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
on
cross-on
High Tide
12:38PM1.12m
00:42AM0.87m
1:26PM1.07m
1:30AM0.81m
2:19PM1.03m
2:26AM0.76m
3:19PM1.01m
3:33AM0.75m
4:22PM1.01m
4:43AM0.77m
5:19PM1.04m
5:41AM0.82m
6:08PM1.08m
Low Tide
7:04PM0.23m
7:00AM0.18m
8:00PM0.28m
7:49AM0.23m
8:57PM0.31m
8:42AM0.27m
9:54PM0.32m
9:38AM0.28m
10:51PM0.31m
10:36AM0.27m
11:43PM0.27m
11:32AM0.24m
00:29AM0.22m
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
rain showers
mod rain
rain showers
thunderstorm
rain showers
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
clear
clear
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:22
6:22
6:24
6:24
6:26
6:26
6:26
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:51
7:50
7:49
7:47
7:45
7:45
7:44
 mm
44
2
3
10
1
24
2
2
1
1
Temp °C
29
30
28
28
29
27
29
32
24
23
24
24
23
26
24
24
27
26
24
25
25
Feels °C
32
31
31
31
31
29
32
32
26
26
24
25
26
30
28
25
28
27
24
25
27
  • 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 Virginia Beach Surf forecast

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

Virginia Beach is 3 km (2 miles) from the city of Virginia Beach. If you plan a vacation in Virginia, look for hotels and other accommodation in Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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