North Carolina
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Onslow 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: flat–flatft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — Flat and very poor conditions with barely a breath of wind. Expect the wind to bump up to around 13mph by PM.
Sun, May 17: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with moderate SW wind around 8mph. Afternoon breeze fills in to 14mph.
Mon, May 18: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with light winds out of the SW. Afternoon breeze fills in to 12mph.
Tue, May 19: flat–flatft, 9s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — Flat waves and very poor conditions with light winds out of the SW. Expect the wind to bump up to around 9mph by PM.
Wed, May 20: flat–flatft, 9s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — Flat waves and very poor conditions with light winds out of the SW. Expect the wind to bump up to around 14mph by PM.
9s period — unlock the full 16-day forecast to track it
Takes 10 seconds with Google or Apple.
Onslow Beach is a mellow sand-bottom beach break located along North Carolina's Crystal Coast, offering forgiving waves ideal for learning and progression. The break faces east, picking up swell from Atlantic storms and tropical systems that deliver the most consistent conditions during fall and early winter months. With its wide sandy beach and gentle rolling peaks, this spot provides a welcoming environment for beginners while offering occasional longer rides when swell direction aligns.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Onslow Beach is Flat with a 7.65s swell period. Wind is SSW at 5mph and conditions are rated Very Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Onslow Beach is Flat, produced by a 1.6ft SE primary swell at 8s, a 1ft 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 Onslow Beach is Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 1ft waves, a 4.55s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Onslow Beach works best with a S swell and N 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 Onslow 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.
Onslow Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Onslow Beach is a mellow sand-bottom beach break located along North Carolina's Crystal Coast, offering forgiving waves ideal for learning and progression. The break faces east, picking up swell from Atlantic storms and tropical systems that deliver the most consistent conditions during fall and early winter months. With its wide sandy beach and gentle rolling peaks, this spot provides a welcoming environment for beginners while offering occasional longer rides when swell direction aligns.
The prime season at Onslow 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 Onslow Beach include occasional strong currents, shallow sandbars. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Onslow 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.
