South Carolina
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at South Washout, 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. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with glassy conditions. Expect the wind to bump up to around 10mph by PM.
Sun, May 17: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with gentle S breeze. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 12mph.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with light winds out of the SSE.
Tue, May 19: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 1-2ft waves on SE swell at 8s and light ESE winds. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on SE swell at 8s with light winds out of the W. The SSE wind kicks in by afternoon — 11mph and poor - fair by then.
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South Washout is a mellow beach break on South Carolina's coast that picks up swell from northwestern directions, making it an excellent choice when Atlantic swells wrap around the barrier islands. The sandy bottom and gradual beach slope create forgiving, rolling waves perfect for learning or improving your skills without intensity. This relatively undiscovered spot offers a peaceful surf session with minimal crowds and plenty of room to practice your technique.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at South Washout is 1-2ft with a 7.15s swell period. Wind is ESE at 3mph 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 South Washout is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.6ft 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 South Washout is Wednesday from 8 AM to 11 AM with 2ft waves, a 8.25s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
South Washout 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 South Washout. 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.
South Washout is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. South Washout is a mellow beach break on South Carolina's coast that picks up swell from northwestern directions, making it an excellent choice when Atlantic swells wrap around the barrier islands. The sandy bottom and gradual beach slope create forgiving, rolling waves perfect for learning or improving your skills without intensity. This relatively undiscovered spot offers a peaceful surf session with minimal crowds and plenty of room to practice your technique.
The prime season at South Washout 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 South Washout include occasional strong currents, shallow areas during low tide. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our South Washout 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.
