North Carolina
Best window·Wednesday 7AM–10AM·3ft·Fair
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at S Turns, North 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: 3–4ft, 7s period, rated Very Poor. Morning kicks off with 3-4ft on ESE swell at 8s. Expect 12mph ENE winds by the afternoon.
Wed, Jul 1: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. The sweet spot is around midday — 2-3ft waves, gentle ESE breeze, fair conditions. Early on is a little rough — give it until mid-morning to shape up.
Thu, Jul 2: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Not the most exciting day — 2-3ft and poor - fair conditions with light SSE winds.
Fri, Jul 3: 2–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Slim pickings today — 2ft and poor - fair with 10mph WSW winds.
Sat, Jul 4: 2–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. A slow one — 2ft waves and poor - fair conditions with strong WSW wind at 14mph.
S Turns is a mellow beach break located on North Carolina's Outer Banks, featuring rolling sand-bottom waves that peel smoothly across the shore. The spot's name comes from the natural sand formations and curved wave shape that develops during mid to large swells, creating fun, forgiving conditions ideal for learning and progression. This quiet, uncrowded stretch offers consistent autumn swells combined with offshore winds that help shape the waves into clean, organized peaks.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at S Turns is 2-3ft with a 6.65s swell period. Wind is NE at 15mph 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 S Turns is 2-3ft, produced by a 4.7ft ENE wind swell 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 S Turns is Wednesday from 7 AM to 10 AM with 3ft waves, a 7.05s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
S Turns works best with a E swell and W 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 S Turns. 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.
S Turns is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. S Turns is a mellow beach break located on North Carolina's Outer Banks, featuring rolling sand-bottom waves that peel smoothly across the shore. The spot's name comes from the natural sand formations and curved wave shape that develops during mid to large swells, creating fun, forgiving conditions ideal for learning and progression. This quiet, uncrowded stretch offers consistent autumn swells combined with offshore winds that help shape the waves into clean, organized peaks.
The prime season at S Turns 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 S Turns include strong currents, shallow sandbars. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our S Turns 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.
