SurfSeerOuter Banks, NC · Coastal intelligence
SurfSeerCoastal intelligence
v2.0 · Best time to rideLive
Outer Banks, NC
MapLive · -
7h 21m of daylight left
Sunset at 12:16 AM
Tomorrow > Today
Today scores 5.0, but tomorrow climbs to 6.8 during the 8 AM–9 AM window. Plan around it.
SKIPSkip
3.8/ 10 · Poor
Best time to ride
9 PM–10 PM
Next 12 hours
Probably not worth the paddle.
- Offshore wind
Conditions
Wave
2.1 ft→
Sweet spot 3–7 ft
Period
8s→
Sweet spot 9–14 s
Wind
17 mph SW→
Side-off
Tide
Next · —
Session plan
Skip
Probably not worth the paddle.
Outer Banks, NC
Peak window
9 PM–10 PM
Avg score 4.0/10
Why this score
Data-driven read on current conditions.Wave height2.1 ft
Swell period8s
WindSide-off 17 mph
Current: 2.1 ft @ 8s • 17 mph wind. wave height is okay but not doing the heavy lifting period is middling and not a big factor either way wind is starting to hurt shape a bit wind direction is generally helping the shape
Next 12 hours
Peak window 9 PM–10 PMToday's read·Auto-generated from the forecast
Wind-blown and soft — 2.1 ft with side-off winds chopping it up. Probably not worth the paddle today.
5 PM
3.82.1ft
6 PM
3.82.2ft
7 PM
3.82.4ft
8 PM
1.52.7ft
9 PM
4.03.0ft
10 PM
4.03.3ft
11 PM
3.23.8ft
12 AM
3.24.2ft
1 AM
3.24.6ft
2 AM
3.25.0ft
3 AM
2.75.4ft
4 AM
2.75.6ft
Sunrise 9:59 AM Sunset 12:16 AM
Next 5 days
Best windowBest this week
6.9/10Monday, Jul 20 • 7 AM–8 AM
Wave 3.2 ft
Period 6s
Wind max 22 mph
Temp 77–83°F
Saturday, Jul 18
5.0 / 10
Best: 6 AM–7 AM
Wave: 1.7 ft
Period: 8s
Wind max: 26 mph
Sunday, Jul 19
6.8 / 10
Best: 8 AM–9 AM
Wave: 5.2 ft
Period: 7s
Wind max: 30 mph
Monday, Jul 20
6.9 / 10
Best: 7 AM–8 AM
Wave: 3.2 ft
Period: 6s
Wind max: 22 mph
Tuesday, Jul 21
6.2 / 10
Best: 7 AM–8 AM
Wave: 3.3 ft
Period: 5s
Wind max: 30 mph
Wednesday, Jul 22
2.7 / 10
Best: 7 AM–8 AM
Wave: 7.5 ft
Period: 7s
Wind max: 34 mph
| Day | Best window | Score | Wave | Period | Wind max | Temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, Jul 18 | 6 AM–7 AM | 5.0 | 1.7 ft | 8s | 26 mph | 81–82°F |
| Sunday, Jul 19 | 8 AM–9 AM | 6.8 | 5.2 ft | 7s | 30 mph | 78–82°F |
| Monday, Jul 20 | 7 AM–8 AM | 6.9 | 3.2 ft | 6s | 22 mph | 77–83°F |
| Tuesday, Jul 21 | 7 AM–8 AM | 6.2 | 3.3 ft | 5s | 30 mph | 77–83°F |
| Wednesday, Jul 22 | 7 AM–8 AM | 2.7 | 7.5 ft | 7s | 34 mph | 74–83°F |
Spot intelWetsuit, hazards & notes
Not beginner-friendly today
Beginner basics
Where to go
OBX is a powerful, exposed beach break — there isn't a true 'easy' zone. On a small day pick a beach access well away from any pier or inlet, with lifeguards visible.
What to avoid
Avoid Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the piers (Avalon, Jennette's, Rodanthe) and any inlet (Oregon, Hatteras). Skip it entirely on hurricane swell — that's expert-only territory.
Best beginner conditions
Wait for a knee-to-waist E swell on a 9-11s period with a light SW or W wind at mid tide. Outside hurricane season, summer mornings can be small and friendly.
Wetsuit
Wetsuit
Summer setup
Season-based baseline. Water temp varies week to week.
Boardshorts
Maybe a rashguard
2mm Top (windy mornings)
Optional comfort layer
Spot notes
How this break works
- Wave type
- Powerful beach break, multiple sandbars
- Best swell
- E–NE (hurricane swells produce best)
- Best wind
- W–SW (offshore)
- Best tide
- Mid tide most reliable
Hazards
- · Strong rips
- · Heavy closeouts on big days
- · Sharks rumored
Nearby breaks
Other spots within reach
If this one's flat — or just too crowded — these are the closest options worth checking.
