North Carolina
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Avalon Pier, North Carolina. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sat, May 16: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on ENE swell at 10s with barely a breath of wind. The SSE wind kicks in by afternoon — 15mph and poor - fair by then.
Sun, May 17: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on E swell at 8s and moderate SSW wind around 9mph. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Mon, May 18: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Aim for the middle of the day — 2-3ft on SE swell at 7s with light winds out of the W. Early on is a little rough — give it until mid-morning to shape up.
Tue, May 19: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on ESE swell at 9s with light SW winds. The S wind kicks in by afternoon — 11mph and poor - fair by then.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on ESE swell at 9s with 7mph SW winds. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
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Avalon Pier in Kill Devil Hills is one of the most consistently rideable breaks on the Outer Banks, which also makes it consistently packed. The pier helps organize sandbars that produce mainly rights, and conditions can transform overnight from mushy to sand-sucking barrels. NE groundswells from nor'easters deliver the best waves, especially during winter months when the pier break really comes alive.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Avalon Pier is 2-3ft with a 8.9s swell period. Wind is SW at 8mph 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 Avalon Pier is 2-3ft, produced by a 1.8ft ENE primary swell at 10s, a 1.2ft SE secondary swell at 8s, a 0.5ft N tertiary swell at 4s, a 0.9ft S 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 Avalon Pier is Monday from 12 PM to 3 PM with 3ft waves, a 8.1s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Avalon 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 Avalon 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.
Avalon Pier is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Avalon Pier in Kill Devil Hills is one of the most consistently rideable breaks on the Outer Banks, which also makes it consistently packed. The pier helps organize sandbars that produce mainly rights, and conditions can transform overnight from mushy to sand-sucking barrels. NE groundswells from nor'easters deliver the best waves, especially during winter months when the pier break really comes alive.
The prime season at Avalon 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 Avalon Pier include pier pilings, crowds, rip currents, can get hollow and powerful. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Avalon 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.
