South Carolina
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Burkes Beach, South Carolina. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sat, May 16: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with calm winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 10mph.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on SE swell at 8s with 7mph SSE winds. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 12mph from the SSE and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
Mon, May 18: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on SE swell at 8s with light SSE winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 9mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Tue, May 19: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on SE swell at 8s with light ESE winds. The ESE wind kicks in by afternoon — 10mph and poor - fair by then.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on SE swell at 8s with barely a breath of wind. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 11mph from the SE and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
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Burkes Beach is a mellow, sandy beach break located on the South Carolina coast near Charleston, offering forgiving rollers that are perfect for learning surfers and those seeking a relaxed session. The beach faces west-northwest, picking up swell best from fall and winter Atlantic storm systems while remaining sheltered from the worst summer hurricanes. With its sandy bottom and gentle approach, this spot provides a stress-free environment to progress your skills without the intensity of more exposed breaks.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Burkes Beach is 1-2+ft with a 7.1s swell period. Wind is ENE at 4mph 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 Burkes Beach is 1-2+ft, produced by a 1ft ESE primary swell at 7s, a 0.7ft SE 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 Burkes Beach is Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 8.4s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Burkes Beach 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.
Tide plays a big role at Burkes Beach. 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.
Burkes Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Burkes Beach is a mellow, sandy beach break located on the South Carolina coast near Charleston, offering forgiving rollers that are perfect for learning surfers and those seeking a relaxed session. The beach faces west-northwest, picking up swell best from fall and winter Atlantic storm systems while remaining sheltered from the worst summer hurricanes. With its sandy bottom and gentle approach, this spot provides a stress-free environment to progress your skills without the intensity of more exposed breaks.
The prime season at Burkes Beach 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 Burkes Beach include occasional rip currents, strong summer heat. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Burkes Beach 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.
