Wrightsville Beach
Wrightsville Beach is North Carolina's surfing epicenter—the most popular and accessible wave in a state blessed with quality beach breaks. The consistent sandbars create reliable peaks year-round, with hurricane season and winter low-pressure systems producing the best conditions. The Crystal Pier area focuses swell and creates organized lineups that support a thriving local scene. Wrightsville's proximity to Wilmington brings a college-town energy, and the surf community here has produced talented competitors and shapers who represent NC on the national stage.
Wrightsville Beach surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
Today's Conditions
Find FlightsLocation & Conditions
Hourly Forecast, Tide & Strike Windows
Tide times today
Strike Score Breakdown
Plan Your Strike
Return flights to ILM, departing today with a 5-day trip window.
Search Flights on SkyscannerLocation & Conditions
Know when East Coast USA is about to fire
Get the best strike windows in East Coast USA — and worldwide — in your inbox every Monday & Thursday. Live Strike Scores, the swell behind them, zero fluff.
Get the full Wrightsville Beach trip window
Pro unlocks the 10-day forecast window, unlimited alerts, and custom spot tracking that help turn a good-looking surf report into a better travel decision.
10-day window
See the trip window before flights get expensive.
Unlimited alerts
Let the app watch your score threshold for you.
Custom spots
Track the breaks that actually matter to your travel plans.
Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- ESE (120°)
- Direction range
- 80° - 160°
- Size range
- 0.6m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.5m - 2m
- Height multiplier
- 1.00×
- Ideal period
- 12s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- WNW (300°)
- Offshore range
- 270° - 340°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low to mid
- Optimal range
- 0.3m - 1.2m
Water temp
21°C
Wetsuit
Springsuit / 2mm
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
7/10
Access: Public beach access. Metered parking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tide is best at Wrightsville Beach?
The Wrightsville Beach profile favors low to mid tide, ideally between 0.3m and 1.2m on the local tide chart. Compare this preference with the forecast tide and local conditions before choosing a session.
What wind direction is offshore at Wrightsville Beach?
The Wrightsville Beach profile uses wind from WNW (300°) as its preferred direction, with an offshore range of 270° to 340°. Wind speed matters too: light winds outside that range can still produce surfable conditions, while strong offshore winds can make takeoffs difficult.
What swell size and direction work best at Wrightsville Beach?
The Wrightsville Beach scoring profile favors swell from ESE (80° to 160°), a swell-height range of 0.6m to 2.5m, and a reference period of 12s. These are model inputs, not guaranteed breaking-wave heights or a promise that the surf will suit every ability.
When is the best time of year to surf Wrightsville Beach?
The main season at Wrightsville Beach is Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar. A secondary window runs Aug. Hurricane season and winter low pressure systems.
How do I get to Wrightsville Beach?
The spot profile lists ILM as a nearby airport. The estimated road transfer is 15 minutes. Public beach access. Metered parking.
What kind of wave is Wrightsville Beach?
Wrightsville Beach is a beach break, a peak with lefts and rights. Difficulty is rated 4/10.
Best Season
Peak: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Aug
Hurricane season and winter low pressure systems.