South Carolina
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Folly Beach Pier for the cleanest windows.
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.
Wed, Jun 24: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with glassy conditions.
Thu, Jun 25: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with gentle N breeze. Afternoon breeze fills in to 9mph.
Fri, Jun 26: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1ft waves and very poor conditions with gentle SSW breeze. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 17mph.
Sat, Jun 27: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with 10mph from the W. Afternoon breeze fills in to 14mph.
Sun, Jun 28: 1–1ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with moderate W wind around 10mph.
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 1ft with a 4.4s swell period. Wind is ENE at 11mph 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 Folly Beach Pier is 1ft, produced by a 1ft SSE primary swell at 7s, a 0.5ft SE secondary swell at 8s, a 1.7ft 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 Folly Beach Pier is Saturday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 5.2s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
