South Carolina
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at South Washout for the cleanest windows.
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.
Tue, Jun 30: 2–2ft, 9s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1ft and mostly very poor with barely a breath of wind. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 18mph.
Wed, Jul 1: 2–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 2ft on ESE swell at 7s with 7mph from the NE. The E wind kicks in by afternoon — 14mph and poor by then.
Thu, Jul 2: 2–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2ft on ESE swell at 8s with gentle NE breeze. Onshore flow builds through the day to 13mph, bringing conditions down to very poor.
Fri, Jul 3: 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 10mph.
Sat, Jul 4: 1–1ft, 9s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1ft and very poor conditions with 7mph from the SSW.
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 4.3s swell period. Wind is ENE at 17mph 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 3.1ft E wind swell swell at 4s. 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 7.4s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
