South Carolina
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Hunting Island, 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, 8s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with gentle E breeze. Afternoon breeze fills in to 9mph.
Sun, May 17: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with 8mph SSE winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 13mph.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with light SSE winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 10mph.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with light E winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 9mph.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with calm winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 12mph.
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Hunting Island offers mellow, rolling beach breaks along South Carolina's mid-coast, making it an ideal spot for learning surfers and those seeking a more relaxed session. The sandy bottom and gradual slope create forgiving, fun waves that work best during fall swells when Atlantic storms send consistent NW-facing waves to the beach. This protected barrier island spot tends to stay less crowded than nearby breaks, providing plenty of space to practice and progress.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Hunting Island is 0-1+ft with a 7.3s swell period. Wind is E at 6mph and 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 Hunting Island is 0-1+ft, produced by a 1ft 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 Hunting Island is Sunday from 8 AM to 11 AM with 2ft waves, a 7.65s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Hunting Island 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 Hunting Island. 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.
Hunting Island is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Hunting Island offers mellow, rolling beach breaks along South Carolina's mid-coast, making it an ideal spot for learning surfers and those seeking a more relaxed session. The sandy bottom and gradual slope create forgiving, fun waves that work best during fall swells when Atlantic storms send consistent NW-facing waves to the beach. This protected barrier island spot tends to stay less crowded than nearby breaks, providing plenty of space to practice and progress.
The prime season at Hunting Island 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 Hunting Island include occasional strong rip currents, jellyfish in summer months, 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 Hunting Island 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.
