South Carolina
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Hunting Island, 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, 8s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with strong S wind at 13mph.
Mon, May 11: 1–2ft, 13s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and very poor conditions with light winds out of the WSW. Expect the wind to bump up to around 11mph by PM.
Tue, May 12: 3–4ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. Not the most exciting day — 2-3ft and poor - fair conditions with 15mph out of the NE.
Wed, May 13: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on ESE swell at 10s with gentle E breeze. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Thu, May 14: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with 7mph from the NW.
8s period — conditions are improving beyond your forecast
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Hunting Island offers mellow, rolling beach breaks along South Carolina's mid-coast, making it an ideal spot for learning surfers and those seeking a more relaxed session. The sandy bottom and gradual slope create forgiving, fun waves that work best during fall swells when Atlantic storms send consistent NW-facing waves to the beach. This protected barrier island spot tends to stay less crowded than nearby breaks, providing plenty of space to practice and progress.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Hunting Island is 0-1ft with a 7.85s swell period. Wind is SSE at 13mph 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 Hunting Island is 0-1ft, produced by a 0.4ft ESE primary swell at 6s, a 0.3ft ESE secondary swell at 8s, a 0.2ft SE tertiary swell at 13s, a 0.6ft S 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 Hunting Island is Wednesday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 7.7s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Hunting Island works best with a SE 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 Hunting 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.
Hunting Island is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Hunting Island offers mellow, rolling beach breaks along South Carolina's mid-coast, making it an ideal spot for learning surfers and those seeking a more relaxed session. The sandy bottom and gradual slope create forgiving, fun waves that work best during fall swells when Atlantic storms send consistent NW-facing waves to the beach. This protected barrier island spot tends to stay less crowded than nearby breaks, providing plenty of space to practice and progress.
The prime season at Hunting 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 Hunting Island include occasional strong rip currents, jellyfish in summer months, 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 Hunting 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.
