South Carolina
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.
Sun, May 10: 0–1ft, 3s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with 12mph from the S.
Mon, May 11: 0–1ft, 12s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with 7mph WSW winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 12mph.
Tue, May 12: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with 17mph out of the NE.
Wed, May 13: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with 11mph from the E.
Thu, May 14: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with moderate NW wind around 9mph.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
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 2.8s swell period. Wind is S at 12mph 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 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 The Washout is Wednesday from 3 PM to 6 PM with 2ft waves, a 6.8s swell period, and conditions rated 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
