Swell Intel

Onslow Beach Surf Forecast, North Carolina

North Carolina

Camp Lejeune1-2+ftBogue Pier1-2+ftTopsail Island1-2+ft
Onslow Beach surf spot

Current Conditions

Poor - Fair
Wave Height
2-3ft
knee to waist high
Swell Period
6.8s
Wind
9mph
S / Gusts 19mph
Conditions
Poor - Fair
Active Swells
Primary
0.4ft @ 10sSE
Wind Swell
2.5ft @ 7sSSE

Daily Forecast

3 of 5 days
Tue, Mar 312-3ft
Poor
6am9am12pm3pm
Wed, Apr 12-3ft
Poor

Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with 8mph SSW winds.

6am9am12pm3pm
5s SSE|7-10mph SSW
Thu, Apr 21-2ft
Poor

Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with light winds out of the SSE.

6am9am12pm3pm
6s SSE|1-6mph ESE
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Sat
3ft
Swell building Sat, Apr 4Fair

8s period — conditions are improving beyond your forecast

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Forecast Charts

Onslow Beach Surf Spot Guide

Break
Beach
Bottom
Sand
Level
Beginner
Crowd
Light
Best Swell
S
Best Wind
N
Season
Fall

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.

Occasional strong currentsShallow sandbars

Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.

Onslow Beach Surf Forecast FAQ

What is the current surf forecast for Onslow Beach?
The current wave height at Onslow Beach is 2-3ft with a 6.8s swell period. Wind is S at 9mph. Conditions are rated Poor - Fair.
How accurate is the Onslow Beach surf forecast?
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.
What is the breaking wave height at Onslow Beach?
The current breaking wave height at Onslow Beach is 2-3ft, produced by a 0.4ft SE primary swell at 10s, a 2.5ft SSE wind swell swell at 7s. 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 Onslow Beach?
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Onslow Beach is Saturday from 8 AM to 11 AM with 3ft waves, a 8.25s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.