Surf Forecasts:
Wildwood Crest surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 9s period, SE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 10s period, SE swell with 74 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 9s period with SE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Wildwood Crest this week:
The surf forecast for Wildwood Crest over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Wildwood Crest in the next 16 days are 0.6m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 5PM. 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 3s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Wildwood Crest over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get real about the surf for the next couple of weeks. I’ve been staring at the charts and, well, it’s a bit of a flat spell for us. The honest truth is that there isn’t a proper wave on the horizon for a good while. We’ve got a long stretch of nothing to get through before things even start to look interesting.
The first week is a total write-off. Day after day, we’re looking at tiny, weak swell—nothing over 2 ft—and it’s mostly coming from the southeast, which isn't doing us any favors. The energy is super weak, with readings barely getting into double digits. It’s just not happening. You’ll see mornings that might look clean with a bit of offshore or glassy wind, like the morning of the 26th, but there’s just no swell behind it. It’s a cruel tease. Even when the wind is good, the ocean is flat.
There is a glimmer of something on the afternoon of the 2nd of September. The surf is still small, around 2 ft, but it’s the first time we see a “surfable” note in the data. The wind is offshore and gentle, which is a big plus, but that wave height is still very much on the small side. It’s the first honest chance you’ll have to get wet without it being a total grovel, but I wouldn’t get too excited. After that, we drop right back into the doldrums.
The main takeaway from this is that there are no standout sessions in this forecast window. It's a long, flat, and quiet period. For an exposed stretch of sand like Wildwood Crest, it can happen, but it’s a frustrating run. The good news is, with such a long window of small surf, the ocean is going to be incredibly clean and calm. It might be a better time to get the paddleboard out or just enjoy a swim. The water temp is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting around 77°, so the ocean is comfortable, at least.
To sum up: if you *have* to surf, the afternoon of September 2nd is your only real shot, but it’s a pop-up, not a party. This is a week-and-a-half-plus of waiting before any real promise shows up. Don’t hold your breath, but forecasts can change. As always, I’ll be watching.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Sat morning. Warm (max 27°C on Sun afternoon, min 20°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Mon afternoon, min 20°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 3 | E 4 | E 4 | SE 4 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 8 | ESE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 8 | 8 | 11 | 19 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 19 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 18 | 14 | 18 | 9 | 74 | 22 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 3:27PM1.31m | 3:55AM0.98m | 4:30PM1.34m | 4:57AM1.01m | 5:23PM1.39m | 5:46AM1.07m | 6:08PM1.45m | 6:28AM1.14m | 6:47PM1.50m | 7:05AM1.22m | 7:24PM1.54m | 7:41AM1.30m | 7:59PM1.57m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:59PM0.41m | 9:35AM0.37m | 11:00PM0.39m | 10:33AM0.34m | 11:51PM0.34m | 11:27AM0.29m | 00:34AM0.28m | 12:16PM0.23m | 1:11AM0.21m | 12:59PM0.17m | 1:45AM0.15m | 1:40PM0.11m | 2:18AM0.10m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  | | | | | |  | | | |  | | | |  |  | |
 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — |
 | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:37 | — |
mm | — | — | 17 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 |
Temp °C | 23 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 |
Feels °C | 25 | 25 | 22 | 21 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 19 | 21 | 23 | 19 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | SE 14 | SE 10 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | ESE 12 | SSE 6 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SSE 4 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 8 | ESE 7 | E 12 | SE 5 |
| kJ | 7 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 6 | 13 | 6 | 11 | 11 | 3 | 18 | 14 | 18 | 5 | 3 | 19 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | — | SE 9 | ESE 8 | ENE 4 | SE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | SSE 6 | SE 11 | S 5 | E 6 | ESE 11 | S 3 | E 15 | E 13 | ESE 10 | E 12 | SE 9 |
| kJ | 8 | 8 | — | 3 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 14 | 14 | 3 | 19 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 3 | 22 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 5 | SSE 4 | — | — | SE 13 | ESE 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | S 3 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | — | E 14 | E 6 | E 12 | S 6 | E 11 |
| kJ | 2 | 2 | — | — | 7 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 3 | E 4 | E 4 | — | WSW 3 | W 3 | WSW 3 | W 3 | WNW 3 | W 3 | SW 2 | W 2 | — | S 2 | S 3 | SSE 4 | SE 10 | — |
| kJ | — | — | 11 | 19 | 9 | — | 2 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | 3 | 5 | 74 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 207 | 56 | 341 | 523 | 88 | 378 | 100 | 83 | 88 | 89 | 88 | 116 | 95 | 95 | 315 | 1165 | 998 | 327 | 1165 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in New Jersey | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Wildwood Crest Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Wildwood Crest provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Wildwood Crest can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Wildwood Crest 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 (Wildwood Crest) 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 Wildwood Crest 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.
Wildwood Crest is 40 km (25 miles) from Ocean City. If you plan a vacation in New Jersey, 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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