Blackbeard Island Surf Forecast, Georgia

Georgia

Right nowVery Poor
1-2ft

Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly very poor with 12mph NE winds.

Swell
2.8ft
9s · ESE
Wind
14–16mph
E · Cross-on
Water
86°F
Boardshorts / rashguard
Tide
High
rising · high 1:42 PM
Surf: nearshore model · 1 PM localWind: model · 1 PM localTide: forecast

Best window·Saturday 6AM9AM·2-3ft·Fair

Registered at the buoy
Groundswell2.5ft @ 10s ESE
Wind wave1.6ft @ 3s E
Wind wave1.5ft @ 5s ESE
Steepness: swell

Blackbeard Island 5-Day Forecast Summary

Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Blackbeard Island, Georgia. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.

Thu, Sep 3: 23ft, 10s period, rated Very Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 1-2ft waves on ESE swell at 9s and moderate NE wind around 12mph. It gets a bit messier later in the day.

Fri, Sep 4: 23ft, 7s period, rated Very Poor. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on ESE swell at 7s with 8mph from the ESE. It gets a bit messier later in the day.

Sat, Sep 5: 23ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on SSE swell at 5s with light WSW winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 13mph, bringing conditions down to very poor.

Sun, Sep 6: 01ft, 4s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with 8mph WSW winds.

Mon, Sep 7: 34ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 1-2ft on ENE swell at 6s with moderate NE wind around 11mph. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 22mph from the ENE and dropping conditions to very poor.

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Blackbeard Island Surf Spot Guide

Break
Beach
Bottom
Sand
Level
Beginner
Crowd
Light
Best Swell
ESE
Best Wind
WNW
Season
Fall

Blackbeard Island offers mellow beach breaks along Georgia's barrier island coastline, with the WNW-facing exposure capturing Atlantic swell and tropical storm systems effectively during autumn months. The sandy bottom provides a forgiving learning environment with consistent, rolling waves ideal for developing technique in a relatively uncrowded setting. As a protected island area with limited access, this spot maintains its isolation and pristine character while offering reliable waves when subtropical systems move up the East Coast.

Marsh terrainTidal currentsLimited accessShallow areas at low tide

Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.

Blackbeard Island Surf Forecast FAQ

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What is the current surf forecast for Blackbeard Island?

The current wave height at Blackbeard Island is 1-2ft with a 9s swell period. Wind is E at 14mph. Conditions are rated Very Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.

What is the breaking wave height at Blackbeard Island?

The current breaking wave height at Blackbeard Island is 1-2ft, produced by a 2.8ft ESE primary swell at 9s. 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.

When is the best time to surf Blackbeard Island?

Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Blackbeard Island is Saturday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 4.9s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.

What swell and wind direction work best at Blackbeard Island?

Blackbeard Island works best with a ESE swell and WNW winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.

What tide is best at Blackbeard Island?

Tide plays a big role at Blackbeard 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.

What kind of wave is Blackbeard Island and who is it for?

Blackbeard Island is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Blackbeard Island offers mellow beach breaks along Georgia's barrier island coastline, with the WNW-facing exposure capturing Atlantic swell and tropical storm systems effectively during autumn months. The sandy bottom provides a forgiving learning environment with consistent, rolling waves ideal for developing technique in a relatively uncrowded setting. As a protected island area with limited access, this spot maintains its isolation and pristine character while offering reliable waves when subtropical systems move up the East Coast.

When is the best season to surf Blackbeard Island?

The prime season at Blackbeard 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.

Are there any hazards to know about at Blackbeard Island?

Common hazards at Blackbeard Island include marsh terrain, tidal currents, limited access, shallow areas at low tide. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.

How accurate is the Blackbeard Island surf forecast?

Our Blackbeard 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. We also verify our offshore swell predictions against NOAA buoy measurements daily — see our accuracy page for those swell-verification metrics (buoys measure open-water swell, not breaking surf size).