North Carolina
A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with moderate SW wind around 12mph.
A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with moderate SW wind around 12mph.
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Salvo for the cleanest windows.
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Salvo, North Carolina. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Thu, Sep 3: 0–1ft, 9s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with 12mph SW winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 18mph.
Fri, Sep 4: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with 20mph out of the WSW.
Sat, Sep 5: 0–1ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with strong WSW wind at 20mph.
Sun, Sep 6: 0–1ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with 13mph from the NE.
Mon, Sep 7: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with 20mph NE winds.
Two days at a glance. Swipe for later hours.Five days at a glance. Drag for later hours.
Very Poor today — get one free email when Salvo turns Good.
Check Salvo from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
Salvo is a mellow beach break located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, offering accessible waves perfect for beginners and intermediate surfers. The sandy bottom provides forgiving conditions and consistent peaks that work across a range of swell sizes and wind directions. This quieter spot sees minimal crowds compared to nearby breaks, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a relaxed, uncrowded session on the Outer Banks.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Salvo is 0-1ft with a 8.6s swell period. Wind is SW at 12mph. 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 Salvo is 0-1ft, produced by a 2ft ESE primary swell at 9s, a 1.1ft SSW wind swell swell at 2s, a 1.1ft NE wind swell swell at 6s. 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 Salvo is Monday from 9 AM to 12 PM with 0ft waves, a 6.5s swell period, and conditions rated Very Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Salvo works best with a E 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 Salvo. 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.
Salvo is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Salvo is a mellow beach break located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, offering accessible waves perfect for beginners and intermediate surfers. The sandy bottom provides forgiving conditions and consistent peaks that work across a range of swell sizes and wind directions. This quieter spot sees minimal crowds compared to nearby breaks, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a relaxed, uncrowded session on the Outer Banks.
The prime season at Salvo 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 Salvo include shorebreak, wind exposure, seasonal rip currents. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Salvo 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. We also verify our offshore swell predictions against NOAA buoy measurements daily — see our accuracy page for those swell-verification metrics (buoys measure open-water swell, not breaking surf size).
