South Carolina
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Hilton Head, 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: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with 11mph S winds.
Mon, May 11: 1–2ft, 13s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with gentle WSW breeze.
Tue, May 12: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with 13mph from the NE.
Wed, May 13: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with moderate E wind around 8mph.
Thu, May 14: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on SE swell at 7s with gentle NW breeze. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Hilton Head's beaches offer gentle, rolling waves ideal for learning and improving fundamental skills on sandy, forgiving breaks. The area benefits from Atlantic swells during fall and winter months, with consistent small-to-medium sized waves that peel across wide sandy beaches. This popular resort destination provides convenient access to multiple break points along the island's eastern shores, making it a reliable choice for beginner surfers seeking warmer water and laid-back vibes.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Hilton Head is 1-2ft with a 8.05s swell period. Wind is S 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 Hilton Head is 1-2ft, produced by a 0.5ft ESE primary swell at 6s, a 0.4ft ESE secondary swell at 8s, a 0.2ft SE tertiary swell at 13s, a 0.8ft SSE wind swell swell at 2s. 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 Hilton Head is Thursday from 7 AM to 10 AM with 2ft waves, a 6.95s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Hilton Head works best with a S 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 Hilton Head. 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.
Hilton Head is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Hilton Head's beaches offer gentle, rolling waves ideal for learning and improving fundamental skills on sandy, forgiving breaks. The area benefits from Atlantic swells during fall and winter months, with consistent small-to-medium sized waves that peel across wide sandy beaches. This popular resort destination provides convenient access to multiple break points along the island's eastern shores, making it a reliable choice for beginner surfers seeking warmer water and laid-back vibes.
The prime season at Hilton Head 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 Hilton Head include tourists and swimmers, seasonal rip currents, sharp shells in sand. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Hilton Head 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.
