North Carolina
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Avon 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 ESE swell at 9s with barely a breath of wind. The S wind kicks in by afternoon — 13mph and poor - fair by then.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on SE swell at 8s with moderate SW wind around 9mph. The S wind kicks in by afternoon — 14mph and poor by then.
Mon, May 18: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on ESE swell at 8s and 11mph WSW winds. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Tue, May 19: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Late morning into early afternoon looks best — 2-3ft with 7mph SSW winds. It's a bit wonky first thing but settles down.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on ESE swell at 9s with 10mph from the SW. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
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Avon Pier is a classic Outer Banks beach break offering consistent waves along Hatteras Island's east-facing shore. The pier helps organize sandbars and creates a useful visual reference, while the east-facing exposure picks up E and NE Atlantic swells well during autumn and winter storm seasons.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Avon Pier is 2-3ft with a 8.5s swell period. Wind is W 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 Avon Pier is 2-3ft, produced by a 1.9ft SE primary swell at 8s, a 1.4ft E secondary swell at 9s, a 1.2ft SSW 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 Avon Pier is Sunday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 8.9s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Avon Pier 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 Avon 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.
Avon Pier is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Avon Pier is a classic Outer Banks beach break offering consistent waves along Hatteras Island's east-facing shore. The pier helps organize sandbars and creates a useful visual reference, while the east-facing exposure picks up E and NE Atlantic swells well during autumn and winter storm seasons.
The prime season at Avon 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 Avon Pier include pier pilings, swimmers and fishermen, strong currents during storms. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Avon 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.
