North Carolina
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Nags Head Pier, 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 Poor - Fair. Pretty quiet out there — 2-3ft and mostly poor - fair with 9mph SSE winds.
Mon, May 11: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 2-3ft waves and poor conditions with 12mph NW winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 19mph.
Tue, May 12: 4–5ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Midday is the call — 4-5ft waves with 14mph out of the NNE and poor - fair conditions. Early on is a little rough — give it until mid-morning to shape up.
Wed, May 13: 3–4ft, 8s period, rated Fair - Good. Consistent 3-4ft surf through the day on E swell at 7s with moderate S wind around 7mph. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 22mph.
Thu, May 14: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on ESE swell at 6s with 11mph WSW winds. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Nags Head Pier is one of the OBX's most historically significant surf spots, with a lineage stretching back decades. The north side produces quicker, bowlier peaks for shortboarders while the south side delivers longer lefts favored by longboarders. NE swells provide the most consistent conditions, with December offering the highest percentage of clean rideable waves. The relaxed atmosphere is more welcoming than some of the more competitive OBX pier breaks.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Nags Head Pier is 2-3ft with a 6.45s swell period. Wind is SSE at 8mph and conditions are rated Poor - Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Nags Head Pier is 2-3ft, produced by a 2.6ft ESE primary swell at 6s, a 0.5ft E secondary swell at 13s, a 0.3ft ESE tertiary swell at 11s, a 0.5ft SE wind swell swell at 2s. 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 Nags Head Pier is Wednesday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 4ft waves, a 7.45s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Nags Head Pier works best with a NE 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 Nags Head Pier. 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.
Nags Head Pier is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Nags Head Pier is one of the OBX's most historically significant surf spots, with a lineage stretching back decades. The north side produces quicker, bowlier peaks for shortboarders while the south side delivers longer lefts favored by longboarders. NE swells provide the most consistent conditions, with December offering the highest percentage of clean rideable waves. The relaxed atmosphere is more welcoming than some of the more competitive OBX pier breaks.
The prime season at Nags Head Pier 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 Nags Head Pier include pier pilings, strong currents near pier, occasional jellyfish. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Nags Head Pier 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.
