Outer Banks
United States · North America
Right now
OvercastWind and swell direction
Swell: 0.8m ENE
Wind: 29 km/h NNE (cross-onshore)
Beach faces: E
Cross-onshore wind. Wave faces are getting chopped up, conditions are average.
Swell is arriving at a great angle for this beach.
Today hour by hour
Updated 10:07Expected crowds
Prediction model v16amDawn patrol territory
7amMidweek quiet
Next 7 days
Forecast via Open-MeteoWhat to pack
- 4/3mm wetsuit recommended for 16°C water.
- Small waves expected. Longboard or fish to make the most of it.
- Strong winds on some days. Check the forecast each morning.
Today's briefing
0.9m swell at 8s. Onshore wind creating some chop. Water temperature 14°C.
AI-generated summary for Outer Banks. Always check local reports before heading out.
Forecast accuracy at Outer Banks
Not enough data yet. Log a session to help build the accuracy score.
Best time to go
No great windows in the next 2 days
Best available option is Tomorrow around 1pm (score: 19). Conditions are below the Good threshold but may still be surfable.
Crowd report
No recent check-ins. Be the first to report.
Session journal
Record your session, conditions and gear.
Sign up to save favourite spots and get surf alerts
Create free accountTide
Approximate modelSwell forecast
7-day forecastDaily score breakdown
This week is looking slightly above average for late April.
Comparing the 7-day forecast to the last 5 years of marine data for the same week at Outer Banks.
What's driving it
Recent form
Last 3 days of logged conditions.
About Outer Banks
The Outer Banks is a highly dynamic, exposed string of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina, functioning as an intense beach break. The bathymetry consists of entirely mobile, steeply sloped sandbanks that are constantly reshaped by powerful Atlantic storms and littoral currents. Facing east and south-east, the islands capture unattenuated hurricane groundswells and robust winter nor'easters. A westerly offshore wind is crucial to groom the turbulent wave faces. When these powerful swells interact with the steep sandbars, they produce heavy, incredibly hollow A-frames that frequently result in punishing shorebreak barrels. Due to the raw hydraulic power, the highly transient nature of the peaks, and the severe rip currents, the Outer Banks is primarily suited for advanced surfers. It demands rapid, steep take-offs and precise tube-riding abilities to navigate the fast-closing sections before they detonate completely onto the shallow sand.
Working in Outer Banks this season?
Create a free profile and let employers in Outer Banks find you.
Create Profile →Frequently asked questions
How often is this page updated?
Current conditions refresh every 6 hours when the cron runs. Hourly data updates every 30 minutes. The 7-day forecast, luck factor, and packing notes are all pre-computed at the same time.
What is the luck factor?
We compare the 7-day forecast to the last 5 years of marine data for the same week at Outer Banks. The delta tells you whether conditions are shaping up better, worse, or about the same as a typical late April.
How is 'best session' picked?
We score each day of the 7-day forecast using the same algorithm as the leaderboard, and highlight the highest scorer.
Where does the data come from?
Open-Meteo's Marine API (swell height, period, water temperature) and Weather API (wind and conditions).
Does the score capture local knowledge?
Honestly, no. Every break has tide windows, swell directions and reef contours that a global model cannot see. Treat the score as a starting point, then check a local cam.
When is the best time to surf Outer Banks?
Check our timing score heatmap above for a week-by-week breakdown combining surf conditions with crowd pressure.