Surf season

When to surf Cape Hatteras

North Carolina, USA

A punchy beach break.

all year Best months When it is most consistent
2–3 ft Typical face Median day in season
34% Surfable days In season
ORF Nearest airport Where we price the trip from

Month by month

Median conditions per calendar month, from years of hindcast at this break. The bar is how good the month is relative to this spot's own best month, so a fickle beach break is measured against itself and not against Pipeline.

MonthRelative quality Typical faceSurfable days Season
Jan 2 ft 41% Peak
Feb 3 ft 35% Peak
Mar 2 ft 32% Peak
Apr 2 ft 31% Peak
May 2 ft 26% Peak
Jun 2 ft 28% Peak
Jul 2 ft 38% Peak
Aug 2 ft 37% Peak
Sep 3 ft 40% Peak
Oct 3 ft 33% Peak
Nov 2 ft 30% Peak
Dec 3 ft 40% Peak

What it is like

What makes it work
Hurricane-season E/SE groundswell.
Sweet spot
5 ft faces
Tide
Best on a mid tide
Nearest airport
ORF

Getting there

Out of JAX we have seen round trips from $98 in season. Fares move, so the app watches them and tells you when one lines up with real swell here.

Other breaks in USA

We watch Cape Hatteras so you do not have to

BarrelFare checks the surf forecast and live airfare together, and tells you when a cheap flight lands on a good swell here.

Get the app

Months above are medians from years of hindcast, not a forecast. A median tells you when to plan a trip. It does not promise waves on a given day.