Atlantic Beach Surf Forecast, North Carolina
North Carolina
Current Conditions
PoorWave Height
1-2ft
ankle to knee high
Swell Period
4.15s
Wind
14mph
S / Gusts 23mph
Conditions
Poor
Active Swells
Primary
0.9ft @ 7sSE
Secondary
0.3ft @ 10sSE
Wind Swell
2.3ft @ 4sSSW
Daily Forecast
3 of 5 daysTue, Mar 311-2ft
PoorSlim pickings today — 0-1ft and poor with light SSW winds.
6am9am12pm3pm
7s SE|4mph SSW
Wed, Apr 11-2ft
PoorSlim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with 9mph SSW winds.
6am9am12pm3pm
7s SE|9-11mph SW
Thu, Apr 21-2ft
PoorSlim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with light S winds.
6am9am12pm3pm
8s SE|5-8mph S
Forecast Charts
Atlantic Beach Surf Spot Guide
Break
Beach
Bottom
Sand
Level
Beginner
Crowd
Moderate
Best Swell
S
Best Wind
N
Season
Fall
Atlantic Beach on the Crystal Coast faces south, catching S and SE swells from tropical systems and frontal passages particularly well. The wide sandy beach and gradual bottom contours create forgiving, peeling waves for learners, while nor'easters can wrap swell around to produce fun conditions. The spot picks up less swell than the Outer Banks but compensates with a family-friendly atmosphere.
Strong currents during nor'eastersOccasional rocks near jettiesBusy beach during summer
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
Atlantic Beach Surf Forecast FAQ
What is the current surf forecast for Atlantic Beach?
The current wave height at Atlantic Beach is 1-2ft with a 4.15s swell period. Wind is S at 14mph. Conditions are rated Poor.
How accurate is the Atlantic Beach surf forecast?
Our Atlantic 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.
What is the breaking wave height at Atlantic Beach?
The current breaking wave height at Atlantic Beach is 1-2ft, produced by a 0.9ft SE primary swell at 7s, a 0.3ft SE secondary swell at 10s, a 2.3ft SSW wind swell swell at 4s. 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.
When is the best time to surf Atlantic Beach?
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Atlantic Beach is Sunday from 10 AM to 1 PM with 2ft waves, a 5.85s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.