Wave Report
Live buoy data, swell, wind, tides, hazards and Southeast Coast surf analysis — all in one place.
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SEC Surf Analysis
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Swell breakdown
Tide window
24-Hour Buoy Trend
Recent observed wave height and dominant period from the selected NOAA/NDBC station. This is offshore buoy history, not a prediction of breaking beach surf.
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Source audit
Why this report is different from a simple “2–3 ft” surf box
A useful surf report needs more than height. Two seas with the same significant wave height can behave very differently at the beach. Period tells you how separated the wave energy is; direction helps explain which coastlines are exposed; wind can organize or degrade the surface; tide can change how a sandbar or inlet breaks; and rip-current or weather hazards can override an otherwise attractive surf setup.
The SEC Wave Report therefore separates what was measured, what was forecast, and what Southeast Coast interprets. This matters because an offshore buoy is not a surf-height sensor sitting on the beach. Bathymetry, shoreline angle, shoaling and local wind can all change what finally breaks near shore.
Learn to read the ocean
These guides explain the exact inputs used by the report instead of hiding them behind one number.
How to Read a NOAA Wave Buoy
WVHT, DPD, APD and MWD translated into practical surf-planning language.
Read guide →Why Swell Period Matters
Why 3 ft at 5 seconds is a very different setup from 3 ft at 12 seconds.
Read guide →Offshore vs. Onshore Wind
How wind direction and speed affect texture, shape and paddle conditions.
Read guide →How Tides Change Surf
Why the “best tide” depends on the break, sandbar, inlet and swell.
Read guide →Rip Currents: What Risk Means
How to interpret official risk levels without assuming low risk means no risk.
Read guide →Southeast Coast Surf Seasons
Cold fronts, tropical swell, summer sea breezes and regional differences from Virginia to Florida.
Read guide →