Wrightsville Beach Surf Outlook: July 31 – August 6, 2026

July 31, 2026

Wrightsville Beach Surf Outlook: July 31 – August 6, 2026

Issued 11:30 PM July 30. Note: Forecast based on late Thursday Evening (7/30) data. While broad patterns usually hold, forecast shifts occur—verify conditions before heading out.

Fri–Sun: Small SE Swell Fri/Sat; Building S Windswell Sun PM

Mon–Tue: Enhanced S Windswell

Midweek: S/SE Swell Leveling Off; Watching Off SE Coast

Best Windows of Forecast: Early Morning Fri/Sat; Wed for Better Winds After S Windswell; Watching Later Week

Legend: 🟢 Clean | 🟡 Fair/Semi Bumpy | 🔴 Poor/Choppy

(Note: Split quality colors represent AM / PM sessions)

Friday Through Sunday (7/31–8/2): Small SE Swell Fri/Sat; S Windswell Bump by Sunday PM

An old front south of the area will gradually weaken and return north through the end of the weekend. Look for continued 1–2 ft+ (knee to thigh high) SE swell today (Friday 7/31) and tomorrow (Saturday 8/1), with the best winds and conditions in the morning hours before SSE winds pick up each afternoon.

Tides: High tide will be around 9:00 AM this morning and 9:40 AM Saturday, so you’ll have to choose your timing and spots wisely. Many spots will be swamped out (and unrideable) a couple of hours on either side of that. Target first light or wait for the mid-day falling tides.

Overall, Sunday morning will be similar, but we will see S windswell pick up a little more in the afternoon and early evening as offshore high pressure strengthens its influence over the area and a front gradually approaches the eastern third of the country. This should allow surf to build into a bumpy 2–3 ft (knee to waist high) by Sunday PM. Note S winds will become more problematic on Sunday, especially in the afternoon. Note shower/tstm chances increase Sunday which may impact winds and conditions at times.

Looking Ahead: Enhanced S Windswell Mon; Leveling Off Tue/Wed

Most of the major models are indicating a continued enhanced S windswell pattern for Monday, with 2–3 ft+ (thigh to stomach high) surf and some plus peaks for better-exposed spots. Current indications suggest this will level off through the middle of the week with 1.5–3 ft (knee to waist high) surf for Tuesday and Wednesday.

We expect SSW wind issues Monday and Tuesday, potentially even through part of the morning hours, alongside high shower and thunderstorm chances. Winds should ease some into Wednesday, especially for the morning hours.

Long-Range Watch: Some of the long-range models are suggesting low pressure will develop well off the SE Coast mid-to-late next week while interacting with the offshore high pressure system. There is considerable uncertainty in this, so we’ll keep the forecast at the summer-time norm (1–2 ft+, knee to thigh high) for now, but it’s certainly worth watching.

🌀 Tropical Update

No tropical development is currently expected for the next 7 days. However, it is worth noting there is some indication low pressure will develop well off the SE Coast mid-to-late next week. It is far too early to nail down any specifics with any resemblance of confidence, however.