Georgia
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Cumberland Island for the cleanest windows.
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Cumberland Island, Georgia. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Tue, Jun 30: 0–1ft, 9s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with calm winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 11mph.
Wed, Jul 1: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 1-2ft on ESE swell at 9s with light winds out of the NNE. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 12mph from the ENE and dropping conditions to poor.
Thu, Jul 2: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 1-2ft waves on E swell at 8s and light NE winds. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 12mph from the NE and dropping conditions to poor.
Fri, Jul 3: 1–1ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with light SSW winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 12mph.
Sat, Jul 4: 1–1ft, 9s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with light winds out of the SSW. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 11mph.
Cumberland Island offers mellow, user-friendly beach breaks along Georgia's remote barrier island coastline. The WNW-facing shores catch easterly Atlantic swells best during fall and winter months, producing rolling waves ideal for learning and cruising. This uncrowded gem attracts fewer surfers than Florida breaks, making it perfect for those seeking peaceful sessions with natural surroundings.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Cumberland Island is 0-1ft with a 8.85s swell period. Wind is NE at 14mph 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 Cumberland Island is 0-1ft, produced by a 1.1ft ESE primary swell at 9s, a 1.2ft ENE 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 Cumberland Island is Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 7.7s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Cumberland Island works best with a E swell and W 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 Cumberland 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.
Cumberland Island is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Cumberland Island offers mellow, user-friendly beach breaks along Georgia's remote barrier island coastline. The WNW-facing shores catch easterly Atlantic swells best during fall and winter months, producing rolling waves ideal for learning and cruising. This uncrowded gem attracts fewer surfers than Florida breaks, making it perfect for those seeking peaceful sessions with natural surroundings.
The prime season at Cumberland 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 Cumberland Island include sea turtles (protected species), strong rip currents, occasional sharks, soft sand paddling. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Cumberland 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.
