What are the current surf conditions at Figure Eight and Shell Islands?

Figure Eight and Shell Islands currently has varying wave conditions. Check the live forecast above for real-time wave heights, wind conditions, and tide information updated every 6 hours.

What's the best time to surf Figure Eight and Shell Islands?

The best time to surf Figure Eight and Shell Islands is typically when swell comes from the SE direction. Check the tide charts and wind forecasts above for optimal surfing conditions.

Figure Eight and Shell Islands Surf Report & Forecast

North Carolina

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Current Surf Conditions at Figure Eight and Shell Islands

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🌊 Surf Quality Timeline (Week)

Best windows in green

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

SELECT DAY

10:00 AM America/New_York

Surf Quality: GOOD

12 AM6 AM12 PM6 PM11 PM

THU

🌊 Surf Quality Timeline

Best windows in green

12AM6AM12PM6PM11PM

🌬️ WIND

4
kt

🌊 SWELL

2.2
ft

🌊

SWELL
HEIGHT

2.2ft

🌊

SWELL
PERIOD

💨

WIND GUSTS

10kt

🌡️

AIR TEMP

17°C

🌊

SECONDARY
SWELL

1ft @
9s

🌧️

PRECIPITATION

0mm

SURF QUALITY

Good surfing conditions. Sweet 2.2ft waves with mixed swell with glassy conditions

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📊 7-Day Detailed Forecast

Expandable daily forecasts with hourly details

Thursday

Mar 26

GOOD14 good hours

🌊 1.9-2.7ft 💨 3-9kt 🌡️ 14-22°C

Time	Quality	Swell Height	Period	Swell Dir	Wind Speed	Wind Dir	Gusts	Air Temp	Water Temp	Rain
12:00 AM	GOOD	2.6ft	7s	ESE	4kt	S	6kt	15°C	14°C	0mm
1:00 AM	GOOD	2.6ft	8s	ESE	4kt	S	8kt	15°C	14°C	0mm
2:00 AM	GOOD	2.7ft	8s	ESE	4kt	S	11kt	15°C	14°C	0mm
3:00 AM	GOOD	2.6ft	7s	ESE	4kt	SSW	8kt	14°C	14°C	0mm
4:00 AM	GOOD	2.5ft	7s	ESE	3kt	SW	6kt	14°C	14°C	0mm
5:00 AM	GOOD	2.4ft	6s	ESE	3kt	WSW	3kt	14°C	14°C	0mm
6:00 AM	GOOD	2.3ft	7s	ESE	3kt	WSW	5kt	14°C	14°C	0mm
7:00 AM	GOOD	2.3ft	7s	ESE	3kt	WSW	7kt	14°C	14°C	0mm
8:00 AM	GOOD	2.2ft	7s	ESE	3kt	WSW	9kt	15°C	14°C	0mm
9:00 AM	GOOD	2.2ft	7s	ESE	4kt	SW	10kt	16°C	14°C	0mm
10:00 AM	GOOD	2.2ft	7s	ESE	4kt	SW	10kt	17°C	14°C	0mm
11:00 AM	GOOD	2.2ft	7s	ESE	5kt	SW	11kt	18°C	14°C	0mm
12:00 PM	GOOD	2.2ft	7s	ESE	6kt	SSW	11kt	20°C	14°C	0mm
1:00 PM	GOOD	2.1ft	7s	ESE	7kt	SSW	11kt	21°C	14°C	0mm
2:00 PM	FAIR	2.1ft	7s	ESE	9kt	SSW	12kt	22°C	14°C	0mm
3:00 PM	FAIR	2ft	7s	ESE	9kt	SSW	14kt	22°C	14°C	0mm
4:00 PM	POOR	2ft	7s	ESE	9kt	SSW	16kt	21°C	14°C	0mm
5:00 PM	POOR	1.9ft	7s	ESE	9kt	SSW	18kt	20°C	14°C	0mm
6:00 PM	POOR	1.9ft	7s	ESE	8kt	SSW	19kt	19°C	14°C	0mm
7:00 PM	FAIR	1.9ft	7s	ESE	7kt	SSW	19kt	18°C	14°C	0mm
8:00 PM	FAIR	1.9ft	7s	ESE	7kt	SW	20kt	17°C	14°C	0mm
9:00 PM	FAIR	1.9ft	7s	ESE	8kt	SSW	22kt	17°C	14°C	0mm
10:00 PM	POOR	1.9ft	7s	ESE	8kt	SSW	24kt	17°C	14°C	0mm
11:00 PM	POOR	1.9ft	7s	ESE	9kt	SSW	26kt	17°C	14°C	0mm

Friday

Mar 27

POORCheck individual hours

🌊 1.2-2.3ft 💨 8-10kt 🌡️ 12-28°C

Time	Quality	Swell Height	Period	Swell Dir	Wind Speed	Wind Dir	Gusts	Air Temp	Water Temp	Rain
12:00 AM	POOR	1.9ft	7s	ESE	9kt	SW	27kt	17°C	14°C	0mm
1:00 AM	POOR	1.8ft	7s	ESE	9kt	SW	27kt	17°C	14°C	0mm
2:00 AM	POOR	1.8ft	7s	ESE	9kt	SW	28kt	17°C	14°C	0mm
3:00 AM	POOR	1.8ft	7s	ESE	9kt	SW	27kt	17°C	14°C	0mm
4:00 AM	POOR	1.8ft	6s	ESE	8kt	SW	27kt	17°C	14°C	0mm
5:00 AM	POOR	1.8ft	6s	ESE	8kt	SW	27kt	17°C	14°C	0mm
6:00 AM	FAIR	1.8ft	6s	ESE	8kt	SW	27kt	17°C	14°C	0mm
7:00 AM	FAIR	1.8ft	6s	ESE	8kt	SW	27kt	18°C	14°C	0mm
8:00 AM	FAIR	1.7ft	6s	ESE	8kt	SW	28kt	18°C	14°C	0mm
9:00 AM	POOR	1.6ft	6s	ESE	8kt	SW	24kt	20°C	14°C	0mm
10:00 AM	POOR	1.4ft	6s	ESE	9kt	SW	21kt	22°C	14°C	0mm
11:00 AM	POOR	1.2ft	6s	ESE	9kt	WSW	17kt	24°C	14°C	0mm
12:00 PM	POOR	1.3ft	6s	ESE	9kt	SW	16kt	25°C	15°C	0mm
1:00 PM	POOR	1.3ft	6s	ESE	9kt	SW	15kt	26°C	15°C	0mm
2:00 PM	POOR	1.4ft	6s	ESE	9kt	SW	14kt	28°C	15°C	0mm
3:00 PM	POOR	1.3ft	6s	ESE	9kt	SW	14kt	27°C	15°C	0mm
4:00 PM	POOR	1.3ft	7s	ESE	8kt	SW	14kt	27°C	15°C	0mm
5:00 PM	POOR	1.2ft	7s	ESE	8kt	SW	14kt	27°C	15°C	0mm
6:00 PM	POOR	1.2ft	7s	ESE	8kt	SSW	16kt	25°C	15°C	0mm
7:00 PM	FAIR	1.2ft	7s	ESE	8kt	SSW	17kt	22°C	15°C	0mm
8:00 PM	FAIR	1.2ft	7s	ESE	8kt	SSW	19kt	20°C	15°C	0mm
9:00 PM	POOR	1.6ft	6s	SE	9kt	SSE	20kt	17°C	15°C	0mm
10:00 PM	POOR	2ft	5s	SSE	9kt	E	20kt	15°C	15°C	0mm
11:00 PM	POOR	2.3ft	5s	S	10kt	NE	20kt	12°C	15°C	0mm

Saturday

Mar 28

POORCheck individual hours

🌊 0.5-2.9ft 💨 7-12kt 🌡️ 7-14°C

Time	Quality	Swell Height	Period	Swell Dir	Wind Speed	Wind Dir	Gusts	Air Temp	Water Temp	Rain
12:00 AM	POOR	2.1ft	5s	S	10kt	NNE	21kt	11°C	15°C	0mm
1:00 AM	POOR	1.9ft	5s	S	9kt	NNE	22kt	11°C	15°C	0mm
2:00 AM	POOR	1.7ft	5s	S	9kt	NNE	23kt	10°C	15°C	0mm
3:00 AM	POOR	1.5ft	5s	S	9kt	NNE	23kt	10°C	15°C	0.1mm
4:00 AM	POOR	1.4ft	5s	S	9kt	NNE	23kt	10°C	15°C	0.1mm
5:00 AM	POOR	1.2ft	5s	S	10kt	NNE	23kt	9°C	15°C	0.1mm
6:00 AM	POOR	1ft	5s	S	10kt	NNE	23kt	9°C	15°C	0.1mm
7:00 AM	POOR	0.9ft	5s	S	10kt	N	24kt	9°C	15°C	0.1mm
8:00 AM	POOR	0.8ft	5s	S	10kt	N	25kt	9°C	15°C	0.1mm
9:00 AM	POOR	0.7ft	5s	S	11kt	N	23kt	10°C	15°C	0mm
10:00 AM	POOR	0.6ft	5s	S	12kt	N	21kt	11°C	15°C	0mm
11:00 AM	POOR	0.5ft	5s	S	12kt	N	19kt	12°C	15°C	0mm
12:00 PM	POOR	0.9ft	6s	SSE	12kt	N	18kt	12°C	15°C	0mm
1:00 PM	POOR	1.3ft	8s	ESE	12kt	N	18kt	13°C	15°C	0mm
2:00 PM	POOR	1.8ft	9s	E	12kt	N	18kt	14°C	15°C	0mm
3:00 PM	POOR	2.1ft	9s	E	12kt	N	17kt	14°C	15°C	0mm
4:00 PM	POOR	2.5ft	9s	ESE	11kt	N	17kt	13°C	15°C	0mm
5:00 PM	POOR	2.9ft	8s	ESE	11kt	N	16kt	13°C	15°C	0mm
6:00 PM	POOR	2.8ft	8s	ESE	10kt	NNE	16kt	12°C	15°C	0mm
7:00 PM	POOR	2.7ft	8s	ESE	8kt	NNE	17kt	10°C	15°C	0mm
8:00 PM	FAIR	2.6ft	8s	ESE	7kt	NNE	17kt	9°C	15°C	0mm
9:00 PM	FAIR	2.3ft	8s	ESE	7kt	NE	17kt	8°C	15°C	0mm
10:00 PM	FAIR	2ft	8s	E	8kt	NE	17kt	8°C	15°C	0mm
11:00 PM	FAIR	1.7ft	8s	E	8kt	NE	18kt	7°C	15°C	0mm

Sunday

Mar 29

FAIR6 good hours

🌊 2.1-4.3ft 💨 3-8kt 🌡️ 5-17°C

Time	Quality	Swell Height	Period	Swell Dir	Wind Speed	Wind Dir	Gusts	Air Temp	Water Temp	Rain
12:00 AM	FAIR	2.5ft	8s	E	8kt	NE	18kt	6°C	15°C	0mm
1:00 AM	FAIR	3.3ft	8s	E	7kt	NE	19kt	6°C	15°C	0mm
2:00 AM	FAIR	4.1ft	8s	E	7kt	NE	19kt	5°C	15°C	0mm
3:00 AM	FAIR	3.4ft	8s	E	7kt	NE	19kt	5°C	15°C	0mm
4:00 AM	FAIR	2.8ft	8s	E	6kt	NE	18kt	5°C	15°C	0mm
5:00 AM	FAIR	2.1ft	8s	E	6kt	NE	18kt	5°C	15°C	0mm
6:00 AM	FAIR	2.6ft	8s	E	6kt	NE	18kt	5°C	15°C	0mm
7:00 AM	FAIR	3.1ft	8s	ESE	7kt	NE	18kt	6°C	15°C	0mm
8:00 AM	FAIR	3.6ft	7s	ESE	7kt	NE	18kt	7°C	15°C	0mm
9:00 AM	FAIR	3.5ft	7s	ESE	7kt	NE	16kt	9°C	15°C	0mm
10:00 AM	FAIR	3.4ft	7s	ESE	7kt	NE	15kt	12°C	15°C	0mm
11:00 AM	FAIR	3.4ft	7s	ESE	7kt	ENE	13kt	14°C	15°C	0mm
12:00 PM	FAIR	3.5ft	8s	ESE	7kt	ENE	12kt	15°C	15°C	0mm
1:00 PM	FAIR	3.6ft	8s	E	7kt	E	11kt	16°C	15°C	0mm
2:00 PM	FAIR	3.7ft	8s	E	8kt	ESE	9kt	17°C	15°C	0mm
3:00 PM	FAIR	3.9ft	8s	E	7kt	ESE	9kt	17°C	15°C	0mm
4:00 PM	FAIR	4.1ft	8s	E	6kt	ESE	8kt	16°C	15°C	0mm
5:00 PM	FAIR	4.3ft	8s	E	6kt	ESE	8kt	16°C	15°C	0mm
6:00 PM	GOOD	4.2ft	8s	E	5kt	ESE	8kt	15°C	15°C	0mm
7:00 PM	GOOD	4.1ft	8s	ESE	4kt	ESE	8kt	14°C	15°C	0mm
8:00 PM	GOOD	4.1ft	8s	ESE	4kt	ESE	7kt	13°C	15°C	0mm
9:00 PM	GOOD	4ft	8s	ESE	4kt	ESE	8kt	14°C	15°C	0mm
10:00 PM	GOOD	4ft	8s	ESE	3kt	ESE	8kt	14°C	15°C	0mm
11:00 PM	GOOD	3.9ft	8s	ESE	3kt	SE	8kt	14°C	15°C	0mm

Monday

Mar 30

GOOD24 good hours

🌊 3.3-3.9ft 💨 1-8kt 🌡️ 13-20°C

Time	Quality	Swell Height	Period	Swell Dir	Wind Speed	Wind Dir	Gusts	Air Temp	Water Temp	Rain
12:00 AM	GOOD	3.9ft	8s	ESE	3kt	SE	8kt	14°C	15°C	0mm
1:00 AM	GOOD	3.8ft	8s	ESE	3kt	SE	8kt	13°C	15°C	0mm
2:00 AM	GOOD	3.8ft	7s	ESE	3kt	SSE	8kt	13°C	15°C	0mm
3:00 AM	GOOD	3.8ft	7s	ESE	3kt	SSE	7kt	14°C	15°C	0mm
4:00 AM	GOOD	3.7ft	7s	ESE	3kt	SSE	6kt	14°C	15°C	0mm
5:00 AM	GOOD	3.7ft	7s	ESE	3kt	SSE	5kt	14°C	15°C	0mm
6:00 AM	GOOD	3.6ft	7s	ESE	2kt	SSE	4kt	14°C	15°C	0mm
7:00 AM	GOOD	3.6ft	7s	ESE	2kt	SSE	3kt	14°C	15°C	0mm
8:00 AM	GOOD	3.5ft	7s	ESE	1kt	SSE	3kt	15°C	15°C	0mm
9:00 AM	GOOD	3.5ft	7s	ESE	2kt	SSE	4kt	16°C	15°C	0mm
10:00 AM	GOOD	3.5ft	7s	ESE	3kt	SSE	5kt	17°C	15°C	0.1mm
11:00 AM	GOOD	3.4ft	7s	ESE	4kt	SSE	6kt	18°C	15°C	0.1mm
12:00 PM	GOOD	3.4ft	7s	ESE	5kt	SSE	7kt	19°C	16°C	0.1mm
1:00 PM	GOOD	3.4ft	7s	ESE	6kt	SSE	8kt	19°C	16°C	0.1mm
2:00 PM	GOOD	3.3ft	7s	ESE	7kt	S	9kt	20°C	16°C	0.1mm
3:00 PM	GOOD	3.3ft	7s	ESE	7kt	S	10kt	20°C	16°C	0.1mm
4:00 PM	GOOD	3.3ft	7s	ESE	8kt	S	11kt	20°C	16°C	0mm
5:00 PM	GOOD	3.3ft	7s	ESE	8kt	S	11kt	19°C	16°C	0mm
6:00 PM	GOOD	3.3ft	7s	ESE	7kt	S	12kt	18°C	16°C	0mm
7:00 PM	GOOD	3.4ft	7s	ESE	6kt	S	14kt	17°C	15°C	0mm
8:00 PM	GOOD	3.4ft	7s	ESE	5kt	S	15kt	16°C	15°C	0mm
9:00 PM	GOOD	3.4ft	7s	ESE	4kt	SSW	12kt	16°C	15°C	0mm
10:00 PM	GOOD	3.4ft	7s	ESE	4kt	SSW	9kt	15°C	15°C	0mm
11:00 PM	GOOD	3.4ft	7s	ESE	4kt	SSW	6kt	15°C	15°C	0mm

Tuesday

Mar 31

FAIR9 good hours

🌊 2.4-3.3ft 💨 3-9kt 🌡️ 14-22°C

Time	Quality	Swell Height	Period	Swell Dir	Wind Speed	Wind Dir	Gusts	Air Temp	Water Temp	Rain
12:00 AM	GOOD	3.3ft	7s	ESE	4kt	SSW	6kt	15°C	15°C	0mm
1:00 AM	GOOD	3.3ft	7s	ESE	4kt	SW	5kt	14°C	15°C	0mm
2:00 AM	GOOD	3.3ft	7s	ESE	3kt	SW	5kt	14°C	15°C	0mm
3:00 AM	GOOD	3.3ft	7s	SE	4kt	SW	7kt	14°C	15°C	0mm
4:00 AM	GOOD	3.3ft	7s	SE	4kt	SW	9kt	14°C	15°C	0mm
5:00 AM	GOOD	3.3ft	7s	SE	4kt	SW	11kt	14°C	15°C	0mm
6:00 AM	GOOD	3.3ft	7s	SE	4kt	SW	13kt	15°C	15°C	0mm
7:00 AM	GOOD	3.3ft	7s	SE	4kt	SSW	16kt	16°C	15°C	0mm
8:00 AM	GOOD	3.3ft	7s	SE	5kt	SSW	18kt	16°C	15°C	0mm
9:00 AM	FAIR	3.3ft	7s	SE	5kt	SSW	16kt	18°C	16°C	0mm
10:00 AM	FAIR	3.2ft	7s	SE	6kt	SSW	14kt	19°C	16°C	0.1mm
11:00 AM	FAIR	3.2ft	7s	SE	7kt	SSW	12kt	20°C	16°C	0.1mm
12:00 PM	FAIR	3.2ft	7s	SE	8kt	SSW	12kt	21°C	16°C	0.1mm
1:00 PM	FAIR	3.2ft	7s	SE	9kt	SSW	13kt	21°C	16°C	0.1mm
2:00 PM	FAIR	3.2ft	7s	SE	9kt	SSW	13kt	22°C	16°C	0.1mm
3:00 PM	FAIR	2.9ft	7s	SE	9kt	SSW	14kt	21°C	16°C	0.1mm
4:00 PM	FAIR	2.7ft	7s	SE	9kt	SSW	14kt	21°C	16°C	0mm
5:00 PM	FAIR	2.4ft	7s	ESE	9kt	SSW	15kt	21°C	16°C	0mm
6:00 PM	FAIR	2.6ft	7s	SE	9kt	SSW	16kt	20°C	16°C	0mm
7:00 PM	FAIR	2.9ft	7s	SE	8kt	SSW	18kt	19°C	16°C	0mm
8:00 PM	FAIR	3.1ft	7s	SE	7kt	SSW	19kt	18°C	16°C	0mm
9:00 PM	FAIR	3.1ft	8s	SE	7kt	SSW	20kt	18°C	16°C	0mm
10:00 PM	FAIR	3.1ft	8s	SE	7kt	SSW	21kt	17°C	16°C	0mm
11:00 PM	FAIR	3ft	8s	SE	7kt	SSW	21kt	17°C	16°C	0mm

Wednesday

Apr 1

FAIR6 good hours

🌊 0.7-3.1ft 💨 3-10kt 🌡️ 16-24°C

Time	Quality	Swell Height	Period	Swell Dir	Wind Speed	Wind Dir	Gusts	Air Temp	Water Temp	Rain
12:00 AM	FAIR	3ft	8s	SE	7kt	SSW	21kt	17°C	16°C	0mm
1:00 AM	FAIR	3.1ft	8s	SE	6kt	SSW	21kt	17°C	16°C	0mm
2:00 AM	FAIR	3.1ft	8s	SE	6kt	SSW	21kt	17°C	16°C	0mm
3:00 AM	FAIR	3ft	8s	SE	6kt	SSW	19kt	16°C	16°C	0mm
4:00 AM	GOOD	3ft	8s	SE	5kt	SSW	17kt	16°C	16°C	0mm
5:00 AM	GOOD	3ft	8s	SE	4kt	SW	15kt	16°C	16°C	0mm
6:00 AM	GOOD	2.9ft	8s	SE	4kt	SW	15kt	16°C	16°C	0mm
7:00 AM	GOOD	2.9ft	8s	SE	4kt	SW	14kt	16°C	16°C	0mm
8:00 AM	GOOD	2.8ft	8s	SE	3kt	SW	14kt	16°C	16°C	0mm
9:00 AM	GOOD	2.8ft	8s	SE	5kt	SW	13kt	19°C	16°C	0mm
10:00 AM	FAIR	2.8ft	8s	SE	6kt	SSW	12kt	21°C	16°C	0mm
11:00 AM	FAIR	2.8ft	8s	SE	7kt	SSW	12kt	23°C	16°C	0mm
12:00 PM	FAIR	2.8ft	8s	SE	8kt	SSW	12kt	23°C	16°C	0mm
1:00 PM	FAIR	2.8ft	8s	SE	9kt	S	12kt	23°C	16°C	0mm
2:00 PM	FAIR	2.8ft	8s	SE	10kt	S	13kt	24°C	16°C	0mm
3:00 PM	POOR	2.7ft	8s	SE	10kt	S	14kt	23°C	16°C	0mm
4:00 PM	POOR	2.7ft	8s	SE	10kt	S	15kt	23°C	16°C	0mm
5:00 PM	POOR	2.6ft	8s	SE	10kt	S	16kt	22°C	16°C	0mm
6:00 PM	FAIR	2.5ft	8s	SE	10kt	S	18kt	21°C	16°C	0mm
7:00 PM	FAIR	2.4ft	8s	ESE	9kt	S	20kt	20°C	16°C	0mm
8:00 PM	FAIR	2.3ft	8s	ESE	8kt	SSW	21kt	19°C	16°C	0mm
9:00 PM	POOR	1.7ft	9s	ESE	8kt	SSW	21kt	19°C	16°C	0mm
10:00 PM	FAIR	1.2ft	10s	ESE	8kt	SSW	21kt	19°C	16°C	0mm
11:00 PM	FAIR	0.7ft	11s	ESE	8kt	SSW	21kt	19°C	16°C	0mm

Forecast Summary

Best Day:Check forecast for optimal conditions

Average Swell:1.9ft @ 7s

Wind Conditions:3-10kt S

Water Temperature:14-15°C

Local Knowledge & Surf Guide

Local Knowledge

Figure 8 Pools and the nearby Shell Island in the Wilmington area offer a remote beach-break experience characterized by rugged shoreline and often secluded conditions. These spots perform best in fall, particularly October through November, when southeast and northeast groundswells from tropical systems and nor’easters arrive—especially when paired with offshore or cross-offshore winds that polish the wave faces. Surf here is known for its variability: peaks can be playful chest-high rollers on moderate days or rideable hollow sections when sandbars align. Tidal shifts play a big role in wave shape, with low to mid tides typically offering cleaner surf. The off-the-grid access keeps crowds minimal, but surfers should remain extremely cautious of strong rip currents, rip channels, and sharp submerged features common in this dynamic coastal terrain.

Best Swell Direction: SE

Bottom Type: Sand

Ideal Conditions

This spot performs best under these specific conditions. Forecasts take these into account when rating surf quality.

Ideal Swell DirectionN

Ideal Wind DirectionS

🌊 Tide Table

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🌅 Sunrise & 🌙 Moon

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