North Carolina
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Carolina Beach for the cleanest windows.
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Carolina Beach, North Carolina. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Wed, Jun 24: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. First light looks cleanest — 2ft on S swell at 6s with glassy conditions. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Thu, Jun 25: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 1-2ft on SSE swell at 7s with 7mph E winds. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Fri, Jun 26: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Midday is the call — 1-2ft waves with light SW winds and poor - fair conditions. It's a bit wonky first thing but settles down. Afternoon wind picks back up so try to get wet before 2pm.
Sat, Jun 27: 2–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. A slow one — 2ft waves and poor - fair conditions with light winds out of the SW.
Sun, Jun 28: 2–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Not the most exciting day — 2ft and poor - fair conditions with light NW winds.
Carolina Beach punches above its weight — the waves here are generally hollower and more powerful than those at Wrightsville Beach to the north on the same swell. The pier break is the focal point, with a grittier, more local vibe and a boardwalk/amusement park atmosphere. S, SE, and E swells all work well on this east-southeast facing beach.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Carolina Beach is 1ft with a 5.5s swell period. Wind is E at 9mph and conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Carolina Beach is 1ft, produced by a 1.4ft SSE primary swell at 6s, a 1.4ft ESE wind swell swell at 3s. 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 Carolina Beach is Monday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 9.55s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Carolina Beach works best with a SE swell and NW 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 Carolina Beach. 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.
Carolina Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Carolina Beach punches above its weight — the waves here are generally hollower and more powerful than those at Wrightsville Beach to the north on the same swell. The pier break is the focal point, with a grittier, more local vibe and a boardwalk/amusement park atmosphere. S, SE, and E swells all work well on this east-southeast facing beach.
The prime season at Carolina Beach 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 Carolina Beach include submerged pilings from old structures, localism, rocks at high tide, pier pilings, strong currents on south swells. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Carolina Beach 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
