North Carolina
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Cape Hatteras, 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 ESE swell at 9s with barely a breath of wind. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 12mph from the S and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on SE swell at 8s with 8mph SW winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 13mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Afternoon is the play — morning is only poor at 1-2ft. Things come together by the afternoon with 2-3ft at poor - fair.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on ESE swell at 9s with moderate SSW wind around 8mph. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with 10mph SW winds.
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Cape Hatteras is the crown jewel of East Coast surfing, where the barrier islands bend sharply east into the Atlantic near Diamond Shoals. Three old groins create defined peaks — the First Jetty produces barreling lefts on NE swell, while the Third Jetty delivers sweeping rights on S/SE swell. The cape's unique geometry acts as a wave magnet, picking up swell from virtually every direction, and proximity to the Gulf Stream delivers powerful groundswells year-round.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Cape Hatteras is 2-3ft with a 8.5s swell period. Wind is W at 5mph 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 Cape Hatteras 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 Cape Hatteras 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.
Cape Hatteras 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 Cape Hatteras. 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.
Cape Hatteras is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to expert surfers. Cape Hatteras is the crown jewel of East Coast surfing, where the barrier islands bend sharply east into the Atlantic near Diamond Shoals. Three old groins create defined peaks — the First Jetty produces barreling lefts on NE swell, while the Third Jetty delivers sweeping rights on S/SE swell. The cape's unique geometry acts as a wave magnet, picking up swell from virtually every direction, and proximity to the Gulf Stream delivers powerful groundswells year-round.
The prime season at Cape Hatteras 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 Cape Hatteras include submerged jetty pilings and metal, strong rips and undertow, heavy localism, powerful cleanup sets, shifting sandbars. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Cape Hatteras 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.
