Ocracoke Surf Forecast, North Carolina
LiveNorth Carolina
Current Conditions
PoorWave Height
1-2ft
ankle to knee high
Swell Period
5s
Wind
22mph
SSW / Gusts 33mph
Conditions
Poor
Active Swells
Primary
1.7ft @ 7sESE
Secondary
0.9ft @ 10sESE
Tertiary
0.2ft @ 14sESE
Wind Swell
4.0ft @ 5sS
Nearby Webcams
Daily Forecast
3 of 5 daysTue, Mar 311-2ft
Poor6am9am12pm3pm
Wed, Apr 11-2ft
PoorNot the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with strong SSW wind at 15mph.
6am9am12pm3pm
7s ESE|13-15mph SW
Thu, Apr 22-3ft
PoorSlim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with moderate SSW wind around 12mph.
6am9am12pm3pm
8s ESE|10-12mph SSW
Forecast Charts
Ocracoke Surf Spot Guide
Break
Beach
Bottom
Sand
Level
Intermediate
Crowd
Light
Best Swell
SE
Best Wind
NW
Season
Fall
Ocracoke is the wild card of North Carolina surfing — a remote barrier island accessible only by ferry with miles of empty beach breaks. The waves here are notoriously fast and racy, catching many surfers off guard. What works in Corolla won't work here and vice versa. Rare summer south swells can produce legendary sessions with no one around. The charming village and total lack of development make the ferry trip worthwhile.
Strong currentsLimited servicesFerry-dependent access
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
Ocracoke Surf Forecast FAQ
What is the current surf forecast for Ocracoke?
The current wave height at Ocracoke is 1-2ft with a 5s swell period. Wind is SSW at 22mph. Conditions are rated Poor.
How accurate is the Ocracoke surf forecast?
Our Ocracoke 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 Ocracoke?
The current breaking wave height at Ocracoke is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.7ft ESE primary swell at 7s, a 0.9ft ESE secondary swell at 10s, a 0.2ft ESE tertiary swell at 14s, a 4ft 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 Ocracoke?
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Ocracoke is Friday from 2 PM to 5 PM with 4ft waves, a 7.8s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.