North Carolina
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Kure 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. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with calm winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 12mph.
Sun, May 17: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with light winds out of the SSW. Afternoon breeze fills in to 13mph.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 8s 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.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with barely a breath of wind. Afternoon breeze fills in to 9mph.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Pretty 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 13mph.
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Kure Beach offers accessible, peeling beach breaks along North Carolina's Crystal Coast, with a westward-facing orientation that picks up southeast Atlantic swells effectively. The sandy bottom provides forgiving waves ideal for learning, with consistent summer-to-fall conditions producing mellow, rolling waves. This quieter spot away from major tourist hubs attracts a laid-back crowd and delivers reliable, uncrowded sessions perfect for building skills.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Kure Beach is 1-2ft with a 7.45s swell period. Wind is SSW at 5mph 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 Kure Beach is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.7ft ESE primary swell at 7s, a 0.5ft S wind swell swell at 2s. 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 Kure Beach is Tuesday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 8.4s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Kure Beach works best with a SE 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 Kure 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.
Kure Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Kure Beach offers accessible, peeling beach breaks along North Carolina's Crystal Coast, with a westward-facing orientation that picks up southeast Atlantic swells effectively. The sandy bottom provides forgiving waves ideal for learning, with consistent summer-to-fall conditions producing mellow, rolling waves. This quieter spot away from major tourist hubs attracts a laid-back crowd and delivers reliable, uncrowded sessions perfect for building skills.
The prime season at Kure 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 Kure Beach include occasional strong currents, shore break during large swells. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Kure 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.
