South Carolina
Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with strong NE wind at 14mph.
Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with strong NE wind at 14mph.
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Hilton Head for the cleanest windows.
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Hilton Head, 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: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with strong NE wind at 14mph.
Fri, Sep 4: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. First light looks cleanest — 1-2ft on SE swell at 8s with light winds out of the SE. The SSE wind kicks in by afternoon — 9mph and poor by then.
Sat, Sep 5: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. Early morning is your best window — 1-2ft waves on SSE swell at 5s with 7mph from the WSW. Onshore flow builds through the day to 11mph, bringing conditions down to very poor.
Sun, Sep 6: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with moderate WNW wind around 8mph. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 12mph.
Mon, Sep 7: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and very poor conditions with 16mph NE winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 22mph.
Two days at a glance. Swipe for later hours.Five days at a glance. Drag for later hours.
Very Poor today — get one free email when Hilton Head turns Good.
Check Hilton Head from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
Hilton Head's beaches offer gentle, rolling waves ideal for learning and improving fundamental skills on sandy, forgiving breaks. The area benefits from Atlantic swells during fall and winter months, with consistent small-to-medium sized waves that peel across wide sandy beaches. This popular resort destination provides convenient access to multiple break points along the island's eastern shores, making it a reliable choice for beginner surfers seeking warmer water and laid-back vibes.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Hilton Head is 0-1ft with a 9.1s swell period. Wind is NE at 14mph. 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 Hilton Head is 0-1ft, produced by a 2ft ESE 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 Hilton Head is Tuesday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 6s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Hilton Head works best with a S 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 Hilton Head. 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.
Hilton Head is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Hilton Head's beaches offer gentle, rolling waves ideal for learning and improving fundamental skills on sandy, forgiving breaks. The area benefits from Atlantic swells during fall and winter months, with consistent small-to-medium sized waves that peel across wide sandy beaches. This popular resort destination provides convenient access to multiple break points along the island's eastern shores, making it a reliable choice for beginner surfers seeking warmer water and laid-back vibes.
The prime season at Hilton Head 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 Hilton Head include tourists and swimmers, seasonal rip currents, sharp shells in sand. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Hilton Head 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).
