North Carolina
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Bath House, 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 Poor - Fair. Midday is the call — 2-3ft waves with 10mph S winds and poor - fair conditions.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on ENE swell at 9s and 9mph from the SSW. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 14mph from the SSE and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
Mon, May 18: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on ESE swell at 8s with 7mph SW winds. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Tue, May 19: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on ESE swell at 9s with gentle SW breeze. Onshore flow builds through the day to 11mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on ESE swell at 9s and moderate SW wind around 7mph. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
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Bath House is a mellow beach break located on North Carolina's barrier islands, offering forgiving sand bottom waves ideal for learning and progression. The spot faces west-southwest, capturing Atlantic swells particularly well during autumn when consistent ground swell combines with favorable wind patterns. With a protected sandy beach and gentle wave formations, this spot provides a welcoming environment for surfers of all abilities looking to escape crowded lineups.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Bath House is 2-3ft with a 8.9s swell period. Wind is SW at 7mph 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 Bath House is 2-3ft, produced by a 1.9ft ENE primary swell at 10s, a 1.2ft SE secondary swell at 8s, a 0.7ft SSW 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 Bath House is Sunday from 12 PM to 3 PM with 3ft waves, a 8.45s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Bath House 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 Bath House. 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.
Bath House is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Bath House is a mellow beach break located on North Carolina's barrier islands, offering forgiving sand bottom waves ideal for learning and progression. The spot faces west-southwest, capturing Atlantic swells particularly well during autumn when consistent ground swell combines with favorable wind patterns. With a protected sandy beach and gentle wave formations, this spot provides a welcoming environment for surfers of all abilities looking to escape crowded lineups.
The prime season at Bath House 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.
Every surf spot has its own hazards — rocks, rip currents, crowds, marine life, or changing tides. Before paddling out at Bath House, watch the break for 10–15 minutes, talk to locals when you can, and never surf beyond your ability level.
Our Bath House 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.
