Wildwood Crest Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.97° N 74.82° W

Wildwood Crest Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 17 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Wildwood Crest sea temperature is
25.0° C
1.5° 

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


Wildwood Crest surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 11s period, SE swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 6s period, E swell with 108 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 11s 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 11s. 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 1.2m 6s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 3s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 2PM.

Wave TypeTime (EDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Wed 19th Aug)1.5ft (0.5m) 11s
Best Surf 2AM (Wed 19th Aug)1.5ft (0.5m) 11s
Most Powerful11PM (Sat 22nd Aug)4ft (1.2m) 6s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Wildwood Crest over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright folks, it’s Rusty here, and I’ve gotta be straight with you – the next couple of weeks are looking pretty bleak for Wildwood Crest. We’ve got a long stretch of tiny, weak surf ahead, so don’t go getting your hopes up for anything special. The first real glimmer of something worth paddling out for doesn’t show up until the end of the month, and even then, it’s a short-lived window.

Starting now, we’re in a dry spell. From Monday the 17th right through to the morning of Saturday the 23rd, it’s all small, weak, and pretty forgettable. Most days are seeing swell heights around 0.7ft to 2ft, coming from the south or southeast, with periods mostly under 8 seconds – that’s weak, short-period windswill. The combined energy is barely creeping into double digits, usually between 13 and 35 (weak energy), so you’re not gonna feel much push. Winds are mostly cross-off or cross, which keeps the surface clean, but there’s just no wave to work with.

On the morning of Sunday the 23rd, we finally get a sniff of something. A light offshore wind from the NNW and a 2ft swell from the east, period at 6 seconds. The combined energy is a bit better at 48 (still weak), but the conditions are described as “surfable but very ordinary.” It’s not a standout, but it’s the first real chance to get wet with some clean lines. If you’re desperate, you could make it work, but don’t expect much.

Then we hit another flat, poor stretch from the afternoon of the 23rd all the way through to the morning of Thursday the 27th. More tiny waves, onshore or cross-onshore winds, and energy levels in the teens and thirties. It’s a real grind.

The morning of Thursday the 27th brings a little hope. We’ve got glassy conditions with a 2ft groundswell from the southeast, a period of 13 seconds – that’s proper long-period energy. The combined energy jumps to 149 (moderate energy). Still, the forecast says “surfable but very ordinary,” so it’s not a barnburner, but the glassy surface and the longer period make it the best option up to that point. The afternoon looks similar, with glassy wind and a 2ft, 13-second SE swell, energy at 142 (moderate). It’s clean, but the waves are small.

Now, the real standout – if you can wait for it – is the morning of Friday the 28th of August. This is the one to circle on the calendar. We’re looking at a 4ft swell from the southeast, with a period of 14 seconds. That’s a solid, long-period groundswell. The combined energy is a massive 521 (strong energy), which is a whole different ballgame compared to everything else. Winds are cross-off from the north at 9 mph, keeping things clean. The forecast says “expect very good surf conditions” – that’s the best call we get all period. This is for the more experienced crew, as it’s pushing over 3ft, so it’s got some punch. The water temp is sitting at a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, around 77°, which is about 3° above average – nothing crazy, but pleasant.

The afternoon of the 28th is still good, with a 3ft SE swell, 13-second period, and energy at 347 (still strong). Winds go light and cross-off, so it stays clean. This is your second-best window.

After that, it drops off again. The 29th and 30th see the swell backing off to 2ft and below, with energy falling back to double digits. By the 31st and into September, it’s all tiny, onshore windslop again. The 1st of September is a total write-off with 0.3ft waves.

So, to sum it up: the best surf on offer is the morning of Friday the 28th of August at Wildwood Crest. That 4ft SE groundswell with 14-second periods and clean, cross-off wind is your ticket. The afternoon of the same day is a solid backup. The morning of the 27th is the next best, with glassy conditions but smaller waves. The 23rd morning is the only real option before that, but it’s very ordinary.

Crowds at Wildwood Crest are “often” an issue, especially when the waves finally show up, so expect some company on that Friday the 28th. Given the long gap of flatness, the locals will be hungry.

Stay patient, and keep your eyes on that Friday the 28th.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Warm (max 29°C on Mon afternoon, min 24°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Thu afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Thu night, min 20°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
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
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
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)
0.5
S
5
0.4
SSE
5
0.4
SSE
6
0.5
SE
7
0.3
SE
9
0.5
SE
11
0.4
SE
10
0.4
SE
9
0.3
SE
9
0.2
ESE
8
0.2
ESE
8
0.5
S
4
0.2
ESE
9
0.7
ENE
4
0.3
ESE
9
1
E
5
1.2
E
6
0.8
E
6
0.6
E
6
0.5
E
6
0.4
SSE
6
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
13
9
16
22
17
56
34
31
12
7
7
7
8
16
15
48
89
47
29
20
14
Wind (km/h)
15
WNW
15
W
10
WNW
5
NNE
10
SSW
5
NW
10
WSW
20
S
10
SW
10
S
15
SSW
15
WSW
0
SE
25
N
15
N
20
NNE
20
NE
10
SSW
15
NNW
25
NE
10
WSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
off
cross
cross-off
High Tide
11:44AM1.46m
11:59PM1.29m
12:31PM1.41m
00:46AM1.17m
1:22PM1.35m
1:39AM1.06m
2:21PM1.32m
2:44AM1.00m
3:27PM1.31m
3:55AM0.98m
4:30PM1.34m
4:57AM1.01m
5:23PM1.39m
Low Tide
5:56PM0.19m
6:06AM0.18m
6:50PM0.29m
6:51AM0.26m
7:49PM0.36m
7:42AM0.33m
8:53PM0.40m
8:37AM0.37m
9:59PM0.41m
9:35AM0.37m
11:00PM0.39m
10:33AM0.34m
11:51PM0.34m
rain showers
clear
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
cloud
rain showers
light rain
heavy rain
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:13
6:15
6:15
6:16
6:16
6:18
6:18
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:52
7:50
7:49
7:47
7:45
7:45
7:43
 mm
1
2
4
5
3
3
3
2
2
2
41
1
Temp °C
26
29
29
26
28
27
26
28
27
26
27
28
23
23
21
22
23
24
23
20
21
Feels °C
28
30
31
28
30
28
27
29
27
28
29
31
25
27
21
22
23
26
25
19
22
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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 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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