North Carolina
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.
Sat, May 16: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on ENE swell at 10s with glassy conditions. Onshore flow builds through the day to 15mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Fair - Good. First light looks cleanest — 3-4ft on E swell at 8s with 9mph SSW winds. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Mon, May 18: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on SE swell at 7s with moderate SW wind around 7mph. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Tue, May 19: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on ESE swell at 9s with gentle SW breeze. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 11mph from the S and dropping conditions 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 7mph from the SW. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
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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 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 Black Pelican 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 Black Pelican is Sunday from 9 AM to 12 PM with 3ft waves, a 8.85s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
