South Carolina
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Dunes Cove, 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, 4s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and poor conditions with 14mph out of the S.
Mon, May 11: 0–1ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with gentle WSW breeze.
Tue, May 12: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. A slow one — 2-3ft waves and poor - fair conditions with 11mph from the NNE.
Wed, May 13: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with light ESE winds.
Thu, May 14: 0–1ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with gentle NW breeze.
8s period — conditions are improving beyond your forecast
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Dunes Cove is a forgiving sandy beach break located along South Carolina's central coast, offering consistent small to medium waves ideal for learning and progression. The NW-facing break works best with northeast Atlantic swells during fall and winter months when cold fronts generate quality wave trains. Protected by natural dune formations and backed by quieter residential areas, this spot delivers mellow, peeling waves with plenty of room to spread out.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Dunes Cove is 1-2ft with a 3.3s swell period. Wind is S at 14mph 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 Dunes Cove is 1-2ft, produced by a 0.9ft ESE primary swell at 6s, a 0.3ft ESE secondary swell at 9s, a 0.3ft SE tertiary swell at 13s, a 1.7ft S wind swell swell at 3s. 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 Dunes Cove is Tuesday from 12 PM to 3 PM with 3ft waves, a 7s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Dunes Cove works best with a NE swell and NW 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 Dunes Cove. 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.
Dunes Cove is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Dunes Cove is a forgiving sandy beach break located along South Carolina's central coast, offering consistent small to medium waves ideal for learning and progression. The NW-facing break works best with northeast Atlantic swells during fall and winter months when cold fronts generate quality wave trains. Protected by natural dune formations and backed by quieter residential areas, this spot delivers mellow, peeling waves with plenty of room to spread out.
The prime season at Dunes Cove 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 Dunes Cove include occasional rip currents, shallow sandbars at low tide. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Dunes Cove 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.
