South Carolina
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.
Sat, May 16: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with light S winds. Expect the wind to bump up to around 13mph by PM.
Sun, May 17: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with gentle SW breeze. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 13mph.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with calm winds. Expect the wind to bump up to around 10mph by PM.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with gentle SE breeze. Expect the wind to bump up to around 9mph by PM.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Poor. 1-2ft waves to start the day on SE swell at 8s. The SSE wind builds to around 13mph by afternoon.
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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 1-2ft with a 7.3s swell period. Wind is S at 2mph 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 Debordieu is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.6ft SE primary swell at 7s, a 0.6ft S wind swell swell at 2s. 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 Wednesday from 3 PM to 6 PM with 3ft waves, a 8.3s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
