Coastal conditions
Shore · North Carolina · Southeast Atlantic / Southern North Carolina
Wrightsville Beach is a southern North Carolina oceanfront fishery built around beaches, pier and jetty structure, and the nearby Masonboro-area tidal system. Red drum, spotted seatrout, spanish mackerel, and bluefish are the principal supported targets.
Small Craft Advisory
Severity: Minor
Small Craft Advisory issued October 20 at 1:36AM EDT until October 21 at 6:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Begins Oct 20, 2026, 1:36 AM · Ends Oct 21, 2026, 6:00 PM
Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions.
Poor · 48
BetaConditions are poor. Review the details below before heading out.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Trip conditions only. Target-species activity and seasonal fishery patterns are not yet included.
Wait
Trip conditions may improve later. Review the recommended window and the reason for waiting.
High confidence in the evaluated inputs — observational coverage is partial. — Required data sources were available and the key inputs were current.
Evaluates trip conditions using weather, tides, currents, waves, daylight, and active alerts.
Tuesday · 11:00 AM–2:00 PM EDT
Window score
73
Coastal conditions can change quickly. Review official alerts and current conditions before heading out.
Updated Oct 20, 2026, 5:56 AM
NOAA Station
NOAA Station selected
Source
Updated 9 min ago
Updated 9 min ago
Updated 9 min ago
Updated 9 min ago
NOAA Station
NOAA Station selected
Water level
Window Oct 13, 2026, 5:56 AM – Oct 20, 2026, 5:56 AM (rolling 168 hours)
Water level over the past 7 days. 1679 observations · from Oct 13, 2026, 6:00 AM · to Oct 20, 2026, 5:48 AM Range 1.1 ft MLLW to 5.9 ft MLLW.
Readings increased over the available period.
1679 observations · from Oct 13, 2026, 6:00 AM · to Oct 20, 2026, 5:48 AM
North Carolina · Southeast Atlantic / Southern North Carolina · Shore
Approximately 16.6 miles away
North Carolina · Southeast Atlantic / Topsail · Shore
Approximately 20.2 miles away
North Carolina · Southeast Atlantic / Brunswick / Oak Island · Shore
Approximately 27.1 miles away
Falling
Next low tide
Oct 20, 2026, 9:21 AM
In 3 hr 24 min
1.3 ft MLLW
Previous
High · Oct 20, 2026, 2:51 AM · 3.5 ft MLLW
Following
High · Oct 20, 2026, 3:22 PM · 4.2 ft MLLW
Tide station at destination
Wrightsville Beach · NOAA 8658163
Tidal-current predictions are not available for this destination.
Tidal-current timing can differ from high and low tide timing.
Wrightsville Beach ocean pier and surf fishery
A southern North Carolina Atlantic ocean and pier fishery at Wrightsville Beach. NOAA 8658163 is the tide station here.
Static seasonal guidance · Last reviewed Aug 23, 2026
Not a live bite forecast.
Red drum, spotted seatrout, Spanish mackerel, and bluefish are representative Wrightsville surf and pier targets.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency and editorial sources. About fish illustrations
Red drum
PrimarySciaenops ocellatus
Also called Redfish
Typical seasonal opportunity: SPRING AND FALL
May also be present outside this peak window.
Southern NC surf and pier fishing.
Spotted seatrout
PrimaryCynoscion nebulosus
No seasonal pulse known
Surf, creek-mouth, and sound-edge fishing near Wrightsville.
Spanish mackerel
SecondaryScomberomorus maculatus
Typical seasonal opportunity: SPRING — FALL
Warm-season pier and surf fishing.
Bluefish
SecondaryPomatomus saltatrix
No seasonal pulse known
Coastal migratory fishing.
Seasonal presence is general guidance and does not indicate current fish activity.
Public pier and town beach access at Wrightsville Beach. Confirm town parking, pier fees, and hours. Wilmington riverfront is a different.
Ocean swell and pier spray. Cape Fear river gauges and Wilmington 8658120 are not this beach's ocean source.
Size limits, seasons, and possession rules change. Verify the current official regulations before fishing.
Editorial and agency sources supporting this fishery profile. Live and predicted conditions use the separate Data Sources section.
North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries
North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries
Shore · North Carolina
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
Tide predictions, water level, water temperature, wind
Tide station at destination
Coastal and marine hazard alerts
Planning limitation
Coastal conditions can vary over short distances. Predictions and remote observations are planning information, not guarantees of access or safety.