South Carolina
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Folly Beach Pier, 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. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with barely a breath of wind. Afternoon breeze fills in to 10mph.
Sun, May 17: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with light S winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 12mph.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with light winds out of the SSE.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with light ESE winds.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with gentle W breeze. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 11mph.
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Folly Beach Pier is a classic East Coast beach break offering fun, forgiving waves ideal for learners and intermediate surfers. The sandy bottom and gentle beach setup create a welcoming environment, though the famous pier can add character and provide shelter from wind on certain conditions. This popular Charleston-area spot works best during fall when Atlantic swells arrive and crowds thin slightly compared to summer.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Folly Beach Pier is 1-2ft with a 7.15s swell period. Wind is ESE at 3mph 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 Folly Beach Pier is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.6ft SE primary swell at 7s. 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 Folly Beach Pier is Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 8.4s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Folly Beach Pier 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 Folly Beach Pier. 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.
Folly Beach Pier is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Folly Beach Pier is a classic East Coast beach break offering fun, forgiving waves ideal for learners and intermediate surfers. The sandy bottom and gentle beach setup create a welcoming environment, though the famous pier can add character and provide shelter from wind on certain conditions. This popular Charleston-area spot works best during fall when Atlantic swells arrive and crowds thin slightly compared to summer.
The prime season at Folly Beach Pier 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 Folly Beach Pier include pier structure, heavy crowds, strong currents near pier pilings. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Folly Beach Pier 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.
