North Carolina
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sun, May 10: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Fair. Expect 2-3ft all day on SE swell at 6s with gentle S breeze — nothing amazing but surfable.
Mon, May 11: 1–2ft, 12s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with 7mph from the WSW. Afternoon breeze fills in to 19mph.
Tue, May 12: 3–4ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 3-4ft and mostly poor with strong NE wind at 21mph.
Wed, May 13: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on E swell at 7s and light winds out of the SSE. Onshore flow builds through the day to 14mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
Thu, May 14: 1–2ft, 12s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with 13mph WNW winds.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Cape Hatteras is the crown jewel of East Coast surfing, where the barrier islands bend sharply east into the Atlantic near Diamond Shoals. Three old groins create defined peaks — the First Jetty produces barreling lefts on NE swell, while the Third Jetty delivers sweeping rights on S/SE swell. The cape's unique geometry acts as a wave magnet, picking up swell from virtually every direction, and proximity to the Gulf Stream delivers powerful groundswells year-round.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Cape Hatteras is 2-3ft with a 6.2s swell period. Wind is S at 6mph and conditions are rated Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Cape Hatteras is 2-3ft, produced by a 2.3ft SE primary swell at 6s, a 0.5ft ESE secondary swell at 13s, a 0.5ft ESE tertiary swell at 11s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Cape Hatteras is Wednesday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 7.4s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Cape Hatteras works best with a E swell and W winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.
Tide plays a big role at Cape Hatteras. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.
Cape Hatteras is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to expert surfers. Cape Hatteras is the crown jewel of East Coast surfing, where the barrier islands bend sharply east into the Atlantic near Diamond Shoals. Three old groins create defined peaks — the First Jetty produces barreling lefts on NE swell, while the Third Jetty delivers sweeping rights on S/SE swell. The cape's unique geometry acts as a wave magnet, picking up swell from virtually every direction, and proximity to the Gulf Stream delivers powerful groundswells year-round.
The prime season at Cape Hatteras is fall, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.
Common hazards at Cape Hatteras include submerged jetty pilings and metal, strong rips and undertow, heavy localism, powerful cleanup sets, shifting sandbars. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Cape Hatteras forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable. Extended forecasts show general trends. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
