Deep South
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Holly Beach, Deep South. 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, 5s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with moderate SSE wind around 8mph. Afternoon breeze fills in to 15mph.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 5s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 2-3ft and mostly poor with 19mph SSE winds.
Mon, May 18: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on SSE swell at 6s with moderate SE wind around 13mph. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 17mph from the SE and dropping conditions to poor.
Tue, May 19: 2–3ft, 5s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on SSE swell at 5s and 11mph from the SE. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on SSE swell at 5s with moderate SE wind around 7mph. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Takes 10 seconds with Google or Apple.
Test description for Holly Beach
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Holly Beach is 1-2ft with a 4.45s swell period. Wind is SSE at 15mph 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 Holly Beach is 1-2ft, produced by a 2.9ft S wind swell swell at 4s. 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 Holly Beach is Wednesday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 4.65s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Holly Beach works best with a S swell and N 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 Holly Beach. 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.
Holly Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Test description for Holly Beach
The prime season at Holly Beach is summer, 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 Holly Beach include strong currents. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Holly Beach 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.
