South Carolina
Skip the dawn patrol — 2-3ft and poor early on.
Skip the dawn patrol — 2-3ft and poor early on.
Best window·Thursday 1PM–4PM·2-3ft·Fair
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Debordieu, South Carolina. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Thu, Sep 3: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Fair. Afternoon is the play — morning is only poor - fair at 1-2ft. Afternoon shapes up better with 2-3ft and poor conditions.
Fri, Sep 4: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 1-2ft waves on SSE swell at 6s and gentle SSW breeze. The S wind kicks in by afternoon — 17mph and very poor by then.
Sat, Sep 5: 2–3ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 1-2ft waves on S swell at 5s and moderate WSW wind around 10mph. Onshore flow builds through the day to 20mph, bringing conditions down to very poor.
Sun, Sep 6: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. Early morning is your best window — 1-2ft waves on SE swell at 4s with moderate NNE wind around 11mph. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Mon, Sep 7: 3–4ft, 6s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 3-4ft and very poor with strong ENE wind at 21mph.
Two days at a glance. Swipe for later hours.Five days at a glance. Drag for later hours.
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Check Debordieu from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
Debordieu is a mellow beach break located on South Carolina's central coast, offering forgiving sand-bottom waves ideal for learning and progression. The spot faces northwest toward the Atlantic, picking up southeast swells most efficiently during fall and winter months when tropical systems and nor'easters push consistent wave energy toward the Carolina coast. With light crowds and gentle beach break characteristics, this spot provides a relaxed alternative to busier nearby breaks.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Debordieu is 2-3ft with a 8.9s swell period. Wind is ESE at 7mph. Conditions are rated Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Debordieu is 2-3ft, produced by a 2ft SE 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.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Debordieu is Thursday from 1 PM to 4 PM with 2ft waves, a 8.9s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Debordieu works best with a SE 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 Debordieu. 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.
Debordieu is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Debordieu is a mellow beach break located on South Carolina's central coast, offering forgiving sand-bottom waves ideal for learning and progression. The spot faces northwest toward the Atlantic, picking up southeast swells most efficiently during fall and winter months when tropical systems and nor'easters push consistent wave energy toward the Carolina coast. With light crowds and gentle beach break characteristics, this spot provides a relaxed alternative to busier nearby breaks.
The prime season at Debordieu 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 Debordieu include occasional strong currents, shallow sandbars, possible lightning during summer storms. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Debordieu 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).
