Holden Beach Surf Forecast, North Carolina
North Carolina
Current Conditions
PoorWave Height
1-2ft
ankle to knee high
Swell Period
7s
Wind
7mph
SSE / Gusts 17mph
Conditions
Poor
Active Swells
Primary
1.2ft @ 7sSE
Wind Swell
2.0ft @ 5sS
Nearest Webcam
Daily Forecast
3 of 5 daysTue, Mar 311-2ft
Poor6am9am12pm3pm
Wed, Apr 11-2ft
PoorPretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with moderate SSW wind around 7mph.
6am9am12pm3pm
5s S|5-10mph S
Thu, Apr 21-2ft
PoorPretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with light SE winds.
6am9am12pm3pm
6s SSE|5-7mph SE
Forecast Charts
Holden Beach Surf Spot Guide
Break
Beach
Bottom
Sand
Level
Beginner
Crowd
Moderate
Best Swell
S
Best Wind
NW
Season
Fall
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.
Occasional rip currentsSummertime crowds
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
Holden Beach Surf Forecast FAQ
What is the current surf forecast for Holden Beach?
The current wave height at Holden Beach is 1-2ft with a 7s swell period. Wind is SSE at 7mph. Conditions are rated Poor.
How accurate is the Holden Beach surf forecast?
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.
What is the breaking wave height at Holden Beach?
The current breaking wave height at Holden Beach is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.2ft SE primary swell at 7s, a 2ft S wind swell swell at 5s. 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 Holden Beach?
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Holden Beach is Sunday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 5.85s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.