Oak Island Pier Surf Guide
Surf spot guide
Ideal Surf Conditions
Swell Direction
S, SE
Wind
North
Surf Height
Chest high-overhead
Tide
Mid to higher tide
Oak Island Pier Surf Guide
Across the Cape Fear Inlet lie the barrier islands of Brunswick County. The largest island, Oak, includes the communities of Long Beach, Yaupon Beach and Caswell Beach. Oak Island and the rest of the beaches that run toward the South Carolina border are often referred to as the "armpit beaches," since they are heavily shadowed by Cape Fear and the beaches of New Hanover County. These are basically all one beach subdivided by small towns. Most of the surfing is concentrated at the piers, and most waves work on higher tides. The Oak Island beaches receive swell from the S and windswell from the onslaught of aggravating SW winds in the summertime that fail to produce much more than short-period wind chop. Generally, though, the 14 miles of Oak Island coastline (and farther south toward the South Brunswick beaches) holds the weakest surf spots on the coast.
Ability Level
Beginner - Intermediate
Any and all levels
Local Vibe
Welcoming
Very mellow.
Crowd Factor
Mellow
Not an issue.
Spot Rating
Poor
Needs the right swell and wind combo to be worthwhile.
Shoulder Burn
Light
Not bad at all.
Water Quality
Clean
All good.
Hazards
The Post Office is probably the most threatening entity here.
Bring Your
Shortboard, Fish, Funboard, Longboard, SUP, Skimming, Bodyboard, Bodysurfing, Kiteboard
Access
Easy
Bottom
Sand
Best Season
Storm dependent: tropical cyclones in the late summer and fall with frontal activity from late fall through winter into spring.
Do you have local knowledge about Oak Island Pier?
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