South Carolina
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Folly Beach Pier, 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, 3s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with moderate S wind around 13mph.
Mon, May 11: 0–1ft, 12s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with light WSW winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 12mph.
Tue, May 12: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Skip the dawn patrol — 1-2ft and very poor early on. Swell fills in and gets up to 2-3ft by PM — poor conditions.
Wed, May 13: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Morning kicks off with 2-3ft on ESE swell at 8s.
Thu, May 14: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with 9mph NW winds.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Folly Beach Pier is a classic East Coast beach break offering fun, forgiving waves ideal for learners and intermediate surfers. The sandy bottom and gentle beach setup create a welcoming environment, though the famous pier can add character and provide shelter from wind on certain conditions. This popular Charleston-area spot works best during fall when Atlantic swells arrive and crowds thin slightly compared to summer.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Folly Beach Pier is 0-1ft with a 2.8s swell period. Wind is S 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 Folly Beach Pier is 0-1ft, produced by a 0.8ft ESE primary swell at 6s, a 0.5ft SE secondary swell at 13s, a 0.3ft SE tertiary swell at 8s, a 1.4ft SSW 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 Folly Beach Pier is Wednesday from 3 PM to 6 PM with 2ft waves, a 6.8s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Folly Beach Pier 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 Folly Beach Pier. 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.
Folly Beach Pier is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Folly Beach Pier is a classic East Coast beach break offering fun, forgiving waves ideal for learners and intermediate surfers. The sandy bottom and gentle beach setup create a welcoming environment, though the famous pier can add character and provide shelter from wind on certain conditions. This popular Charleston-area spot works best during fall when Atlantic swells arrive and crowds thin slightly compared to summer.
The prime season at Folly Beach Pier 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 Folly Beach Pier include pier structure, heavy crowds, strong currents near pier pilings. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Folly Beach Pier 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.
