South Carolina
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Sullivan's 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, 3s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with strong S wind at 13mph.
Mon, May 11: 0–1ft, 12s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with 7mph WSW winds. Expect the wind to bump up to around 13mph by PM.
Tue, May 12: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Poor. The sweet spot is around midday — 2-3ft waves, 14mph out of the NE, poor - fair conditions. It's a bit wonky first thing but settles down.
Wed, May 13: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on ESE swell at 8s with 8mph from the ESE. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Thu, May 14: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with moderate NW wind around 8mph.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Sullivan's Island offers user-friendly beach breaks along South Carolina's Atlantic coast, where sandbars create fun, forgiving waves perfect for learners and intermediate surfers. The NW-facing orientation catches northeast swells efficiently, particularly during autumn when consistent Atlantic storms generate quality groundswell. With gentle sandy bottom and mellow wave shape, this spot rewards patience during smaller swells while remaining accessible even for those building their skills.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Sullivan's Island is 0-1ft with a 2.8s swell period. Wind is S 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 Sullivan's Island 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 Sullivan's Island is Wednesday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 7.75s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Sullivan's Island 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 Sullivan's 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.
Sullivan's Island is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Sullivan's Island offers user-friendly beach breaks along South Carolina's Atlantic coast, where sandbars create fun, forgiving waves perfect for learners and intermediate surfers. The NW-facing orientation catches northeast swells efficiently, particularly during autumn when consistent Atlantic storms generate quality groundswell. With gentle sandy bottom and mellow wave shape, this spot rewards patience during smaller swells while remaining accessible even for those building their skills.
The prime season at Sullivan's 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 Sullivan's Island include strong currents near inlet, occasional rip tides, military installation proximity, sharp shells. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Sullivan's 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.
