North Carolina
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at S Turns for the cleanest windows.
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at S Turns, North 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: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on SSE swell at 7s with glassy conditions. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Thu, Jun 25: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with moderate ESE wind around 9mph. Expect the wind to bump up to around 13mph by PM.
Fri, Jun 26: 2–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Afternoon is the play — morning is only poor at 1-2ft. Later in the day looks more promising — 2ft and poor - fair.
Sat, Jun 27: 2–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor - fair conditions with strong SW wind at 21mph.
Sun, Jun 28: 2–2ft, 10s period, rated Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 2ft on S swell at 6s with 12mph from the WNW. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
S Turns is a mellow beach break located on North Carolina's Outer Banks, featuring rolling sand-bottom waves that peel smoothly across the shore. The spot's name comes from the natural sand formations and curved wave shape that develops during mid to large swells, creating fun, forgiving conditions ideal for learning and progression. This quiet, uncrowded stretch offers consistent autumn swells combined with offshore winds that help shape the waves into clean, organized peaks.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at S Turns is 1-2ft with a 6.45s swell period. Wind is ESE at 10mph 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 S Turns is 1-2ft, produced by a 2.1ft SSE primary swell at 7s, a 1.8ft NNE secondary swell at 5s. 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 S Turns is Friday from 5 PM to 8 PM with 2ft waves, a 6.05s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
S Turns works best with a E swell and W 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 S Turns. 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.
S Turns is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. S Turns is a mellow beach break located on North Carolina's Outer Banks, featuring rolling sand-bottom waves that peel smoothly across the shore. The spot's name comes from the natural sand formations and curved wave shape that develops during mid to large swells, creating fun, forgiving conditions ideal for learning and progression. This quiet, uncrowded stretch offers consistent autumn swells combined with offshore winds that help shape the waves into clean, organized peaks.
The prime season at S Turns 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 S Turns include strong currents, shallow sandbars. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our S Turns 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.
