South Carolina
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Litchfield Beach, 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. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and poor conditions with barely a breath of wind. Expect the wind to bump up to around 15mph by PM.
Sun, May 17: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with light winds out of the SW. Expect the wind to bump up to around 16mph by PM.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with glassy conditions. Expect the wind to bump up to around 10mph by PM.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with light SE winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 9mph.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with barely a breath of wind. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 13mph.
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Litchfield Beach is a mellow, sand-bottomed beach break located along South Carolina's Grand Strand, offering forgiving waves perfect for learning and progressing. The spot faces southwest and picks up solid swell during Atlantic storm systems and hurricane season, with consistent peeling waves across a wide beach. This uncrowded gem provides plenty of space to paddle out and work on technique in a relaxed, family-friendly environment.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Litchfield Beach is 1-2ft with a 7.25s swell period. Wind is WSW at 2mph 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 Litchfield Beach is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.2ft SE primary swell at 7s, a 0.7ft S 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 Litchfield Beach is Sunday from 3 PM to 6 PM with 2ft waves, a 4.5s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Litchfield Beach works best with a ESE swell and WNW 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 Litchfield 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.
Litchfield Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Litchfield Beach is a mellow, sand-bottomed beach break located along South Carolina's Grand Strand, offering forgiving waves perfect for learning and progressing. The spot faces southwest and picks up solid swell during Atlantic storm systems and hurricane season, with consistent peeling waves across a wide beach. This uncrowded gem provides plenty of space to paddle out and work on technique in a relaxed, family-friendly environment.
The prime season at Litchfield Beach 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 Litchfield Beach include occasional strong currents, seasonal undertow. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Litchfield 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.
