South Carolina
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Dunes Cove, 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: 0–1ft, 7s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and poor conditions with barely a breath of wind. Expect the wind to bump up to around 15mph by PM.
Sun, May 17: 0–1ft, 4s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with light winds out of the SW. Expect the wind to bump up to around 15mph by PM.
Mon, May 18: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly poor with light winds out of the S. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 9mph.
Tue, May 19: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly poor with glassy conditions. Afternoon breeze fills in to 7mph.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with gentle SW breeze. Afternoon breeze fills in to 10mph.
Takes 10 seconds with Google or Apple.
Dunes Cove is a forgiving sandy beach break located along South Carolina's central coast, offering consistent small to medium waves ideal for learning and progression. The NW-facing break works best with northeast Atlantic swells during fall and winter months when cold fronts generate quality wave trains. Protected by natural dune formations and backed by quieter residential areas, this spot delivers mellow, peeling waves with plenty of room to spread out.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Dunes Cove is 1-2ft with a 7.25s swell period. Wind is SW at 5mph 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 Dunes Cove is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.2ft SE primary swell at 7s, a 0.8ft S 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 Dunes Cove is Wednesday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 8.35s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Dunes Cove works best with a NE 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 Dunes Cove. 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.
Dunes Cove is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Dunes Cove is a forgiving sandy beach break located along South Carolina's central coast, offering consistent small to medium waves ideal for learning and progression. The NW-facing break works best with northeast Atlantic swells during fall and winter months when cold fronts generate quality wave trains. Protected by natural dune formations and backed by quieter residential areas, this spot delivers mellow, peeling waves with plenty of room to spread out.
The prime season at Dunes Cove 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 Dunes Cove include occasional rip currents, shallow sandbars at low tide. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Dunes Cove 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.
