Carolina Beach Surf Forecast, North Carolina
LiveNorth Carolina
Current Conditions
PoorWave Height
1-2ft
ankle to knee high
Swell Period
6.8s
Wind
7mph
S / Gusts 15mph
Conditions
Poor
Active Swells
Wind Swell
2.8ft @ 7sSE
Nearby Webcams
Daily Forecast
3 of 5 daysTue, Mar 312-3ft
Poor - FairPretty quiet out there — 2-3ft and mostly poor - fair with light winds out of the SSW.
6am9am12pm3pm
7s SE|4mph SSW
Wed, Apr 12-3ft
PoorPretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with light winds out of the SSW. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 11mph.
6am9am12pm3pm
8s SE|6-11mph SSW
Thu, Apr 21-2ft
PoorA slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with light winds out of the SSE.
6am9am12pm3pm
7s SE|5-8mph SSE
Forecast Charts
Carolina Beach Surf Spot Guide
Break
Beach
Bottom
Sand
Level
Intermediate
Crowd
Moderate
Best Swell
SE
Best Wind
NW
Season
Fall
Carolina Beach punches above its weight — the waves here are generally hollower and more powerful than those at Wrightsville Beach to the north on the same swell. The pier break is the focal point, with a grittier, more local vibe and a boardwalk/amusement park atmosphere. S, SE, and E swells all work well on this east-southeast facing beach.
Submerged pilings from old structuresLocalismRocks at high tidePier pilingsStrong currents on south swells
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
Carolina Beach Surf Forecast FAQ
What is the current surf forecast for Carolina Beach?
The current wave height at Carolina Beach is 1-2ft with a 6.8s swell period. Wind is S at 7mph. Conditions are rated Poor.
How accurate is the Carolina Beach surf forecast?
Our Carolina Beach 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.
What is the breaking wave height at Carolina Beach?
The current breaking wave height at Carolina Beach is 1-2ft, produced by a 2.8ft SE wind swell 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.
When is the best time to surf Carolina Beach?
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Carolina Beach is Saturday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 7.75s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.