WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH SURF DISCUSSION DECEMBER 19- DECEMBER 26, 2025

December 19, 2025

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH HOLIDAY SURF OUTLOOK: DECEMBER 19–26, 2025

Issued 6:30 AM December 19, 2025
By Mark Willis

Note: This forecast is based on data from 6:30 AM Friday. While the broad patterns usually hold, the forecast can and does shift, especially further out in time. Please verify local conditions before heading out.

Outlook Summary

Today: Solid SE swell with improving winds around lunch
Weekend: Lingering 2–3’+ fun surf; best in the afternoons
Early Week: Watching Tuesday for a clean-up after a chilly Monday NE bump
Christmas: Small but non-flat; warmer and loggable

Today Through Sunday (12/19–12/21): Pre-Holiday Surf

Friday (Today):
A dynamic surf day as a cold front clears the coast. Buoy 41110 is reporting 7–8 ft at 9–10 seconds, translating to chest to head-high-plus surf early before gradually fading through the day. Strong SW winds this morning shift W to WNW and ease by early afternoon, with conditions improving around lunchtime.

The Window:
11:00 AM – 3:30 PM. The incoming tide following the 1:24 PM low is the prime target. Many spots will become too deep as high tide approaches near sunset. Air temperatures fall noticeably this afternoon behind the front.

The Weekend:
Friday’s swell settles into the 2–3’+ range (thigh to waist high with occasional plus sets) as lingering SE/ESE energy hangs around.

Saturday:
Light N/NE winds provide some morning texture before transitioning to light and variable winds in the afternoon. Best window looks to be 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM around the lower tide. Cooler overall with highs in the mid-50s.

Sunday:
Favorable light WNW to NW winds. A morning high tide will swamp most spots, so plan for an afternoon session as the tide drops. Highs rebound into the low 60s.

Looking Ahead: Watching Tuesday | Warming into Christmas

Another front delivers a chilly 2–3’+ NE windswell on Monday, with daytime highs only reaching the low 50s. Attention then turns to Tuesday, when winds are expected to turn offshore and clean things up. While size will be on the decline, conditions should support rideable thigh-to-waist-high surf.

Christmas Eve / Christmas Day & Just After:
Current projections suggest small but non-flat surf in the knee-to-thigh-high range. Winds look generally favorable during the mornings, and a warming trend develops into Christmas Day. Long-range guidance does not indicate any major swell producers immediately after Christmas, so expect continued small surf with occasional workable windows. Forecast confidence decreases significantly this far out.