North Carolina
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Holden Beach, 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: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with calm winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 12mph.
Sun, May 17: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with light winds out of the SSW. Afternoon breeze fills in to 13mph.
Mon, May 18: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with light winds out of the S. Expect the wind to bump up to around 10mph by PM.
Tue, May 19: 0–1ft, 9s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with light winds out of the SE. Expect the wind to bump up to around 8mph by PM.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with gentle SSW breeze. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 11mph.
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Holden Beach is a classic Carolina beach break on a south-facing barrier island that picks up S and SE swells from tropical systems and frontal passages. The sandy bottom and gradual beach slope create consistent, mellow conditions with plenty of room to spread out. Best during fall when Atlantic storms deliver fun, accessible waves.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Holden Beach is 1-2ft with a 7.3s swell period. Wind is SW at 6mph 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 Holden Beach is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.2ft SE primary swell at 7s, a 0.9ft 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 Holden Beach is Wednesday from 8 AM to 11 AM with 2ft waves, a 8.55s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Holden Beach works best with a S swell and NW 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 Holden Beach. 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.
Holden Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Holden Beach is a classic Carolina beach break on a south-facing barrier island that picks up S and SE swells from tropical systems and frontal passages. The sandy bottom and gradual beach slope create consistent, mellow conditions with plenty of room to spread out. Best during fall when Atlantic storms deliver fun, accessible waves.
The prime season at Holden Beach 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 Holden Beach include occasional rip currents, summertime crowds. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Holden 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
