North Carolina
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Black Pelican for the cleanest windows.
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Black Pelican, North Carolina. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Tue, Jun 30: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 2-3ft and mostly poor with calm winds. Expect the wind to bump up to around 8mph by PM.
Wed, Jul 1: 2–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2ft on E swell at 7s with light SE winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 11mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
Thu, Jul 2: 2–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Slim pickings today — 2ft and poor - fair with calm winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 8mph.
Fri, Jul 3: 2–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Pretty quiet out there — 2ft and mostly poor - fair with moderate WSW wind around 7mph.
Sat, Jul 4: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. 1-2ft waves to start the day on ESE swell at 9s.
Black Pelican is a sandy beach break located along North Carolina's Outer Banks, offering mellow, forgiving waves ideal for learning and progression. The spot faces southwest and picks up consistent Atlantic swell, particularly during autumn when storms generate quality waist-to-shoulder-high peaks. With its sandy bottom and sheltered positioning, this laid-back break provides a perfect escape from crowded beach breaks with plenty of room to spread out.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Black Pelican is 2ft with a 6.65s swell period. Wind is NNE at 9mph and conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Black Pelican is 2ft, produced by a 3.3ft E primary swell at 7s. 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 Black Pelican is Tuesday from 5 PM to 8 PM with 2ft waves, a 6.65s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Black Pelican 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 Black Pelican. 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.
Black Pelican is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Black Pelican is a sandy beach break located along North Carolina's Outer Banks, offering mellow, forgiving waves ideal for learning and progression. The spot faces southwest and picks up consistent Atlantic swell, particularly during autumn when storms generate quality waist-to-shoulder-high peaks. With its sandy bottom and sheltered positioning, this laid-back break provides a perfect escape from crowded beach breaks with plenty of room to spread out.
The prime season at Black Pelican 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 Black Pelican include shorebreak, sandbars shift seasonally. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Black Pelican 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
