South Carolina
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at The Pier (Pawleys Island) for the cleanest windows.
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at The Pier (Pawleys Island), 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: 2–2ft, 5s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with glassy conditions.
Thu, Jun 25: 1–1ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1ft and poor with moderate E wind around 7mph. Afternoon breeze fills in to 11mph.
Fri, Jun 26: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1ft and poor conditions with light SW winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 16mph.
Sat, Jun 27: 2–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2ft waves on SE swell at 9s and 7mph from the WSW. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 15mph from the SSW and dropping conditions to poor.
Sun, Jun 28: 1–1ft, 5s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1ft and poor conditions with light winds out of the W.
The Pier at Pawleys Island is a mellow beach break that works best when southeast swells wrap around the South Carolina coast and align with the pier structure. This sandy bottom setup offers forgiving, rolling waves ideal for beginners and intermediates, with the iconic fishing pier providing a visual landmark and some protection from wind. The spot picks up more consistent swell during fall and winter when Atlantic storms generate offshore energy, making it a reliable option when other nearby breaks turn flat.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at The Pier (Pawleys Island) is 1ft with a 3.95s swell period. Wind is E at 7mph 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 The Pier (Pawleys Island) is 1ft, produced by a 0.9ft SSE primary swell at 6s, a 0.5ft SE secondary swell at 7s, a 1.5ft 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 The Pier (Pawleys Island) is Saturday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 5.25s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
The Pier (Pawleys 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 The Pier (Pawleys 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.
The Pier (Pawleys Island) is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. The Pier at Pawleys Island is a mellow beach break that works best when southeast swells wrap around the South Carolina coast and align with the pier structure. This sandy bottom setup offers forgiving, rolling waves ideal for beginners and intermediates, with the iconic fishing pier providing a visual landmark and some protection from wind. The spot picks up more consistent swell during fall and winter when Atlantic storms generate offshore energy, making it a reliable option when other nearby breaks turn flat.
The prime season at The Pier (Pawleys 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 The Pier (Pawleys Island) include pier pilings, fishing lines, crowds during peak season. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our The Pier (Pawleys 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
