South Carolina
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at The Washout for the cleanest windows.
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at The Washout, 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: 1–1ft, 5s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with barely a breath of wind.
Thu, Jun 25: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with light NNE winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 10mph.
Fri, Jun 26: 1–1ft, 7s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with light SSW winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 15mph.
Sat, Jun 27: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Poor. Early morning is your best window — 1-2ft waves on SE swell at 8s with moderate WSW wind around 11mph. The SSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 17mph and poor by then.
Sun, Jun 28: 1–1ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Early morning is your best window — 1ft waves on SE swell at 8s with 10mph from the W. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
The Washout is a mellow beach break located on Charleston's coast, offering forgiving waves perfect for learning and cruising. The sandy bottom provides a soft landing and consistent shape as swells wrap around the local geography, making it an approachable option when larger Atlantic swells arrive. Named for its tendency to strip and reform the beach face during big winter storms, this spot rewards patience with fun, peeling waves and a laid-back local vibe.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at The Washout is 0-1ft with a 4.35s swell period. Wind is ENE at 9mph 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 The Washout is 0-1ft, produced by a 1ft SSE primary swell at 6s, a 0.5ft SE secondary swell at 8s, a 2ft 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 Washout is Saturday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 5.15s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
The Washout 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 The Washout. 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 Washout is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. The Washout is a mellow beach break located on Charleston's coast, offering forgiving waves perfect for learning and cruising. The sandy bottom provides a soft landing and consistent shape as swells wrap around the local geography, making it an approachable option when larger Atlantic swells arrive. Named for its tendency to strip and reform the beach face during big winter storms, this spot rewards patience with fun, peeling waves and a laid-back local vibe.
The prime season at The Washout 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 Washout include occasional strong currents, sandbars shift seasonally. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our The Washout 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.
