Wrightsville Beach
United States · North America
Right now
ClearWind and swell direction
Swell: 0.6m E
Wind: 18 km/h N (cross-offshore)
Beach faces: SE
Cross-offshore wind. Still favourable, expect reasonably clean waves with some texture.
Swell direction is a decent angle for this beach.
Today hour by hour
Updated 08:42Expected crowds
Prediction model v16amDawn patrol territory
7amMidweek quiet
Next 7 days
Forecast via Open-MeteoWhat to pack
- Small waves expected. Longboard or fish to make the most of it.
- Warm 21°C water. Shortie or boardshorts.
- Sunny days ahead. Sun cream and a rashie.
Today's briefing
0.7m swell at 6s on a short period. Light winds keeping things clean. Water temperature 20°C.
AI-generated summary for Wrightsville Beach. Always check local reports before heading out.
Forecast accuracy at Wrightsville Beach
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 10am (score: 8). Conditions are below the Good threshold but may still be surfable.
Crowd report
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Session journal
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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 Wrightsville Beach.
What's driving it
Recent form
Last 3 days of logged conditions.
About Wrightsville Beach
Wrightsville Beach is a popular, accessible barrier island beach break situated on the coast of North Carolina. The bathymetric profile relies entirely on mobile silica sandbanks, which are slightly stabilised and structured by coastal groynes and a prominent fishing pier. As south-easterly swells from passing hurricanes or regional wind systems approach the coast, they interact with these sandbars to create punchy but manageable peaks. A north-westerly offshore wind is essential to groom the wave face and maintain its shape. The wave mechanics typically produce spilling A-frames that offer short, workable rides. The presence of the pier helps to define the take-off zones, giving structure to the otherwise shifting line-up. Because the wave energy is generally moderate, it lacks the severe hydraulic force found at heavier Atlantic breaks. Due to the forgiving nature of the sandbars and the warm summer water temperatures, it functions as a primary training ground. It is universally classified as an excellent venue for beginners.
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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 Wrightsville Beach. 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 Wrightsville Beach?
Check our timing score heatmap above for a week-by-week breakdown combining surf conditions with crowd pressure.