Atlantic Beach, United States
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About Atlantic Beach
Facing, offshore wind, exposure, level and swell range are estimated. Facts: verified, surf details estimated.
The spot faces S (187°), so it takes swell from the S. The wind blows offshore from the N (7°). It is exposed to the open swell. It suits intermediate surfers and up. It works in 2–10 ft of swell. The sea is about 12°C in February, its coldest month (4/3 or 5/4, boots and gloves), and 28°C in July, its warmest (no wetsuit). For intermediate surfers the best months are usually February, March, September and October, with about 1 good days in 7. From the weather of past years. The town to stay in is Atlantic Beach, 0 km away (about 5 min by car).
Water about 24°C: no wetsuit. Typical sea temperature for the time of year, not a forecast.
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Book the trip
From Chicago: about 6 h 35 door to door, one way. An estimate; the journey never changes the score.
Fly. Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to ILM, direct.
See flights ORD → ILM · Skyscanner from about £135 returnAdGetting there. 2 h 20 from the airport to Atlantic Beach.
Accommodation.
Stay in Atlantic BeachAd
Typical prices for a double room that month, not a quote.
Room photos are examples, not these hotels (credits).
See all places to stay in Atlantic Beach (ad) on Booking.com →Closest towns to stay in
Atlantic Beach 1 min by car · rooms from £100 a night · 15 places to stay · where Atlantic Beach stays
Places to stay in Atlantic Beach · Booking.com Ad
Typical prices for a double room that month, not a quote. Drives are estimates.
Hire and lessons.
Surf lessons in Atlantic Beach · GetYourGuideAdBoard and wetsuit hire in Atlantic Beach · GetYourGuideAd
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Where it is
Atlantic Beach on Google Maps · Directions
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Forecast
Atlantic Beach does not suit beginners. This is the forecast for intermediates, so you can see what it does.
The score for intermediates, coloured as on the area pages:GoodFairPoorToo bigToo small
| Day | Scorefor Intermediate | Swell | Energy | Wind | Temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 18Oct | 22, too small | 2 ft8 s | 55kJ | offshorewind from the north-north-east, 21 knots, offshore | 20°C |
| Mon 19Oct | 38, fair | 3 ft8 s | 82kJ | offshorewind from the north, 15 knots, offshore | 19°C |
| Tue 20Oct | 18, too small | 2 ft8 s | 30kJ | offshorewind from the north, 13 knots, offshore | 21°C |
| Wed 21Oct | 22, too small | 2 ft5 s | 22kJ | offshorewind from the north, 11 knots, offshore | 19°C |
| Thu 22Oct | 15, too small | 1 ft8 s | 22kJ | offshorewind from the north-north-east, 7 knots, offshore | 19°C |
| Fri 23Oct | 13, too small | 2 ft5 s | 9kJ | offshorewind from the north-north-east, 13 knots, offshore | 19°C |
| Sat 24Oct | 18, too small | 2 ft6 s | 26kJ | offshorewind from the north, 12 knots, offshore | 19°C |
| Sun 25Oct | 29, too small | 3 ft7 s | 59kJ | offshorewind from the north-east, 15 knots, offshore | 20°C |
| Mon 26Oct | 56, good | 4 ft7 s | 167kJ | offshorewind from the north-east, 9 knots, offshore | 20°C |
| Tue 27Oct | 58, good | 4 ft9 s | 278kJ | offshorewind from the north, 7 knots, offshore | 20°C |
Day scores here are the conditions out of 80; a trip's score on the results is the same conditions out of 100. The journey never scores. The forecast reaches about 10 days. Energy is the swell's power in kJ per metre of wave, from its height and interval: it grows with the square of each, so a long-period swell hits far harder than a short one the same size. Wind is in knots: 10 kn is about 19 km/h. The arrow points where the wind blows to; offshore wind, blowing from the land out to sea, is green and says so.
Your trip, day by day
6 nights from Mon 19 Oct, leaving from Chicago, for intermediate surfers. Change dates
- Mon 19 OctTravel out
Direct flight ORD to ILM, then 2h 20 by road. About 6h 35 door to door
- Tue 20 OctRest day
Too small: 2 ft at best.
- Wed 21 OctRest day
Too small: 2 ft at best.
- Thu 22 OctRest day
Too small: 1 ft at best.
- Fri 23 OctRest day
Too small: 2 ft at best.
- Sat 24 OctRest day
Too small: 2 ft at best.
- Sun 25 OctTravel home
Direct flight ORD to ILM, then 2h 20 by road. About 6h 35 door to door
Rough cost
About £930–£1,665 each for 6 nights, 2 people sharing a room. A guide from typical prices, not a quote: check the real prices before you book.
| What | How we worked it out | Each |
|---|---|---|
| Flights | return ORD to ILM, estimated from distance and season, 2 airlines on the route, with a hold bag | £135–£285 |
| To the UK airport | parking or the train, there and back | £35–£65 |
| Hire car | 6 days, shared | £115–£190 |
| Stay | 6 nights, a mid-range double, shared | £270–£455 |
| Food | 7 days eating out | £260–£480 |
| Board and wetsuit | 5 days, or about £85 to fly your own | £115–£190 |
| Total | £930–£1,665 |
Prices from public sources, checked in 2026: where they come from. Lessons, lift-pass deals and insurance are extra.
Places to eat near Atlantic Beach
- Bahia Beach House & Surf BarBar and grill · in the centre
- Crab's ClawCaribbean · 0.1 km from the centre
- The Bite at the BoxBar and grill · 0.2 km from the centre
- Roma PizzaPizza · 0.3 km from the centre
- Beach TavernAmerican · 0.4 km from the centre
- The Shark ShackSeafood · 0.4 km from the centre
Within 2 km of the town centre, listed by how complete the listing is (website, opening hours, cuisine) and whether two sources name it. Not a judgement of the food: we have no reviews. Listings © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and Overture Maps Foundation. Credits
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Where to stayAd
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