A pair of sandbars at the north end of Wrightsville Beach that quietly outperform the main stretch when S and SE swells push through. Figure Eight Island is a gated private community, so access means either a resident pass or a paddle north across the inlet from Shell Island at low tide. The wave picks up S and SE swell best, with W winds grooming the faces cleanly. Best at low to mid tide, chest-high to overhead, when the sandbars organize into rights and lefts worth hunting. Beginner to intermediate surfers will find the most value here, and the crowd stays mellow compared to the busy breaks south. Bottom: sand. Season: late summer tropical cyclones plus fall and winter frontal swells. Consistency: moderate, storm-dependent. Bring binoculars to read Figure Eight from the Shell Island side before committing to the paddle.
One of the mellower lineups in the Wrightsville area. The access friction of Figure Eight keeps numbers low, and Shell Island draws less traffic than the main beach breaks to the south. The local vibe is welcoming. Longboarders make up a fair share of the crowd on smaller days.
Figure Eight Island requires a resident pass to cross the bridge. Paddling north from the Shell Island end at low tide is the standard approach for non-residents. Parking is the main hassle. No facilities on Figure Eight. The Holiday Inn at the north end of Wrightsville marks the Shell Island boundary.
Wrightsville Beach proper has multiple breaks along its stretch and handles a wider swell window. When north swells fire, the Outer Banks to the north offers significantly more power and variety.
Forecast by Windy.app
