Overview

The Basin is a unique soundside spot at the southern tip of Pleasure Island, near Fort Fisher. "The Basin" refers to a sheltered body of water formed between marshes, sandbars and the Cape Fear River. It's one of the best flat water spots in the Wilmington area. The water is shallow and relatively calm, offering good conditions for freestyle and learning. The spot is influenced by Cape Fear River tides. Close to Fort Fisher State Recreation Area.

Suggest an edit

Spot forecast for The Basin

Sunrise 07:21 · Sunset 18:31

Open-Meteo

Premium weather models. Get the professional models (ECMWF, GFS, ICON, MeteoSwiss…) and a 16-day forecast. Without a subscription: Open-Meteo over 5 days.

Go Premium

< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

Next tides

Low tide Tue 20 · 09:25 · 0.5 m
High tide Tue 20 · 15:49 · 1.4 m
Low tide Tue 20 · 22:04 · 0.5 m
High tide Wed 21 · 04:19 · 1.3 m

Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

The Basin: when to go?

Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)

Season · peak

368h

in May · 30.5 rideable days

The spot works year-round: 29 rideable days a month on average, at 22 °C. It peaks in May, with 368 hours of usable wind.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 66%13-20 knots · 32%21-30 knots · 2%31+ knots · under 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 66% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at 11 °C. The wettest month is August, with 282 mm.

Monthly averages: The Basin

Monthly averages — The Basin — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	28.5	284 h	11 °C	77 mm
February	25.5	268 h	15 °C	40 mm
March	30.0	360 h	19 °C	138 mm
April	30.0	369 h	22 °C	104 mm
May	30.5	368 h	26 °C	76 mm
June	30.0	397 h	30 °C	95 mm
July	29.0	373 h	31 °C	171 mm
August	29.0	351 h	29 °C	282 mm
September	28.5	328 h	26 °C	181 mm
October	29.0	325 h	22 °C	81 mm
November	26.5	276 h	19 °C	28 mm
December	28.5	275 h	13 °C	37 mm

Photo gallery of The Basin

This spot is waiting for its first images

Ridden here? One photo or video, and the spot comes alive for everyone discovering it.

Technical details of The Basin spot

The spot works with winds from N, NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE, SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, NNW.

Rideable Not rideable

Spot opening date · Required level

Spot opening date: Open all year round
Required level: Intermediate

On the water

Flat to slightly choppy water in a sheltered basin. Shallow depth, tide-influenced. Sandy bottom with muddy patches. The basin offers protection from ocean waves while receiving wind well. Conditions are good for freestyle and freeride. At low tide, some areas can become very shallow.

Hazards

Cape Fear River tidal currents — can be significant. Cape Fear River mouth proximity — don't drift toward the main channel (heavy maritime traffic: cargo ships, ferries). Stingrays. Jellyfish in summer. Muddy bottom in some areas. Alligators possible in upstream marsh areas (rare but possible). Afternoon thunderstorms possible in summer.

Something out of date? Suggest an edit

Live

EW3956 Southport8.6 kmsource noaa

Readings reserved for Premium members

Live readings from EW3956 Southport weather station are reserved for Premium members.

Real-time readings
Last 48 hours history
Custom alerts
Extended weather forecasts

Discover Premium

Already a Premium member? Log in

Additional stations

SUNNY POINT7.2 km

Readings reserved for Premium members
source noaa
Wrightsville Beach Nearshore, NC (ILM2)29.1 km

Readings reserved for Premium members
source NOAA Buoy

All the details of your session on windtracker.app

Webcams near The Basin

Webcams provided by Windy.com

Nearby spots

All spots: Caroline du Nord

Comments 0

No comments yet.

Log in to comment

The Basin kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spot