Virginia • Virginia BeachBuoy: 44014

Croatan Beach

Junky

Wave Height

1-2

ft

Swell

~5s

ESE

Wind

9mph

Onshore (NE)

Water

78°

Boardshorts

Rising• High in 1h 2m

Updated: 9/18/2026, 5:30:30 PM • Data: Open-Meteo

Accurate?

Surf Graph

Clean
Fair
Choppy
Flat

Tide Forecast

Today
H6:25am2.2ft
L12:33pm1.0ft
H7:05pm2.8ft
Tomorrow
L1:57am1.1ft
H7:31am2.2ft
L1:39pm1.0ft
H8:15pm2.7ft
Mon, Sep 21
L2:51am1.0ft
H8:45am2.3ft
L2:44pm1.0ft
H9:17pm2.8ft
Tue, Sep 22
L3:37am0.9ft

Recent History

No recent history available

About Croatan Beach

Croatan Beach sits at the southern end of Virginia Beach, offering a slightly more exposed break than the main oceanfront. The waves can have more push here, and the crowd thins out compared to the tourist zone. It's a local favorite for good reason—better sandbars and fewer beginners. When solid swell hits, Croatan delivers some of Virginia's best surf.

FAQ

What is the water temperature at Croatan Beach?

The current water temperature at Croatan Beach is 78°F. Boardshorts or a rashguard should be comfortable.

What is the surf like at Croatan Beach today?

Croatan Beach currently has waves around 1-2ft. Conditions change throughout the day, so check back for updated forecasts.

What time is high tide at Croatan Beach?

Today's high tide at Croatan Beach is at 2:25 AM ET. Tide times shift daily, so check our forecast for upcoming tide schedules.

What time is low tide at Croatan Beach?

Today's low tide at Croatan Beach is at 8:56 PM ET. Tide times shift daily, so check our forecast for upcoming tide schedules.

What are the best conditions for surfing Croatan Beach?

Croatan Beach works best with swells from the E, ENE, NE and W, NW, SW winds (offshore). The ideal tide is mid.

Is Croatan Beach good for beginners?

Yes, Croatan Beach is suitable for beginners, especially on smaller days. It's always a good idea to check conditions before paddling out and consider taking a lesson if you're new to surfing.

This Week's Outlook

Tuesday morning is your best bet with 3ft waves, longer 4 second periods, and cross-onshore winds that'll help shape things up before the swell fades mid-week. The early light offshore breeze Tuesday PM could work too, but it's still just 3ft and the wind turns onshore so the AM session is cleaner.

Updated 9/14/2026, 6:04:07 PM

Spot Info

Break TypeBeach Break
BottomSand
Skill LevelAll Levels
CrowdModerate
Best TideMid
Best SwellE, ENE, NE
Best WindW, NW, SW
ParkingMetered parking and lots

Local Tip

Local favorite at the south end. Better sandbars and fewer beginners than the main beach.