Duck Surf Forecast, North Carolina
North Carolina
Current Conditions
PoorWave Height
1-2ft
ankle to knee high
Swell Period
5.6s
Wind
17mph
SSW / Gusts 26mph
Conditions
Poor
Active Swells
Primary
1.1ft @ 9sE
Secondary
0.2ft @ 14sE
Wind Swell
2.7ft @ 6sSSE
Nearest Webcam
Daily Forecast
3 of 5 daysWed, Apr 11-2ft
PoorNot the most exciting day — 0-1ft and poor conditions with strong SSW wind at 15mph.
6am9am12pm3pm
6s SE|15mph SSW
Thu, Apr 21-2ft
PoorA slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with 9mph SW winds.
6am9am12pm3pm
5s SE|9-11mph S
Fri, Apr 31-2ft
PoorPretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with moderate SSW wind around 10mph.
6am9am12pm3pm
8s ESE|10-11mph S
Forecast Charts
Duck Surf Spot Guide
Break
Beach
Bottom
Sand
Level
Beginner
Crowd
Moderate
Best Swell
E
Best Wind
W
Season
Fall
Duck is a mellow beach break on the northern Outer Banks that picks up E and NE Atlantic swells along its east-facing shoreline. The sandy bottom creates forgiving, rolling peaks ideal for learning and progression. This quieter stretch of the OBX sees fewer crowds than the Kill Devil Hills to Nags Head corridor, making it a good option for surfers seeking space.
Strong currents during stormsOffshore wind variabilityCrowded during summer months
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
Duck Surf Forecast FAQ
What is the current surf forecast for Duck?
The current wave height at Duck is 1-2ft with a 5.6s swell period. Wind is SSW at 17mph. Conditions are rated Poor.
How accurate is the Duck surf forecast?
Our Duck 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 Duck?
The current breaking wave height at Duck is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.1ft E primary swell at 9s, a 0.2ft E secondary swell at 14s, a 2.7ft SSE wind swell swell at 6s. 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 Duck?
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Duck is Saturday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 7.85s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.