South Carolina
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Burkes Beach, South Carolina. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sun, May 10: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with 12mph from the SSE.
Mon, May 11: 0–1ft, 13s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with light WSW winds.
Tue, May 12: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. Late morning into early afternoon looks best — 2-3ft with 11mph NE winds. It's a bit wonky first thing but settles down.
Wed, May 13: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with moderate E wind around 8mph.
Thu, May 14: 0–1ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with gentle NW breeze.
8s period — conditions are improving beyond your forecast
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Burkes Beach is a mellow, sandy beach break located on the South Carolina coast near Charleston, offering forgiving rollers that are perfect for learning surfers and those seeking a relaxed session. The beach faces west-northwest, picking up swell best from fall and winter Atlantic storm systems while remaining sheltered from the worst summer hurricanes. With its sandy bottom and gentle approach, this spot provides a stress-free environment to progress your skills without the intensity of more exposed breaks.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Burkes Beach is Flat with a 8.05s swell period. Wind is SSE at 12mph and conditions are rated Very Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Burkes Beach is Flat, produced by a 0.5ft ESE primary swell at 6s, a 0.4ft ESE secondary swell at 8s, a 0.2ft SE tertiary swell at 13s, a 0.8ft SSE wind swell swell at 2s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Burkes Beach is Tuesday from 11 AM to 2 PM with 3ft waves, a 6.35s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Burkes Beach works best with a ESE swell and WNW winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.
Tide plays a big role at Burkes Beach. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.
Burkes Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Burkes Beach is a mellow, sandy beach break located on the South Carolina coast near Charleston, offering forgiving rollers that are perfect for learning surfers and those seeking a relaxed session. The beach faces west-northwest, picking up swell best from fall and winter Atlantic storm systems while remaining sheltered from the worst summer hurricanes. With its sandy bottom and gentle approach, this spot provides a stress-free environment to progress your skills without the intensity of more exposed breaks.
The prime season at Burkes Beach is fall, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.
Common hazards at Burkes Beach include occasional rip currents, strong summer heat. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Burkes Beach forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable. Extended forecasts show general trends. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
