South Carolina
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Hunting Island for the cleanest windows.
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.
Tue, Jun 30: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1ft and very poor conditions with calm winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 15mph.
Wed, Jul 1: 2–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Early morning is your best window — 1-2ft waves on ESE swell at 8s with 9mph NNE winds. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 17mph from the E and dropping conditions to poor.
Thu, Jul 2: 2–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2ft waves on ESE swell at 8s and light winds out of the NNE. Onshore flow builds through the day to 12mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
Fri, Jul 3: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with light ENE winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 10mph.
Sat, Jul 4: 1–1ft, 9s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 1ft and very poor with gentle S breeze. Expect the wind to bump up to around 12mph by PM.
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 1ft with a 2.9s swell period. Wind is E at 14mph 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 Hunting Island is 1ft, produced by a 1.6ft ESE 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 Hunting Island is Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 7.95s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
