Georgia
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Cumberland Island, Georgia. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sun, May 10: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with moderate ESE wind around 8mph.
Mon, May 11: 1–2ft, 12s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with calm winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 7mph.
Tue, May 12: 2–3ft, 12s period, rated Poor. Late morning into early afternoon looks best — 1-2ft with 9mph NE winds. It's a bit wonky first thing but settles down.
Wed, May 13: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on E swell at 8s with gentle E breeze. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Thu, May 14: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with light WNW winds. Expect the wind to bump up to around 12mph by PM.
8s period — conditions are improving beyond your forecast
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Cumberland Island offers mellow, user-friendly beach breaks along Georgia's remote barrier island coastline. The WNW-facing shores catch easterly Atlantic swells best during fall and winter months, producing rolling waves ideal for learning and cruising. This uncrowded gem attracts fewer surfers than Florida breaks, making it perfect for those seeking peaceful sessions with natural surroundings.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Cumberland Island is 1-2ft with a 9.35s swell period. Wind is ESE at 8mph and conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Cumberland Island is 1-2ft, produced by a 0.7ft E primary swell at 9s, a 0.6ft E secondary swell at 6s, a 0.3ft SE tertiary swell at 6s, a 0.7ft ESE 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 Cumberland Island is Wednesday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 8.15s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Cumberland Island works best with a E swell and W 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 Cumberland Island. 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.
Cumberland Island is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Cumberland Island offers mellow, user-friendly beach breaks along Georgia's remote barrier island coastline. The WNW-facing shores catch easterly Atlantic swells best during fall and winter months, producing rolling waves ideal for learning and cruising. This uncrowded gem attracts fewer surfers than Florida breaks, making it perfect for those seeking peaceful sessions with natural surroundings.
The prime season at Cumberland Island 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 Cumberland Island include sea turtles (protected species), strong rip currents, occasional sharks, soft sand paddling. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Cumberland Island 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.
