South Carolina
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Burkes Beach for the cleanest windows.
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.
Wed, Jun 24: 0–1ft, 7s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with barely a breath of wind.
Thu, Jun 25: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with gentle NNE breeze. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 10mph.
Fri, Jun 26: 0–1ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with gentle WSW breeze. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 14mph.
Sat, Jun 27: 0–1ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with gentle WSW breeze.
Sun, Jun 28: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with light winds out of the W.
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 3.65s swell period. Wind is ENE at 9mph 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 2.1ft E wind swell swell at 4s. 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 Monday from 1 PM to 4 PM with 1ft waves, a 9.4s swell period, and conditions rated Very Poor. 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
