South Carolina
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Sullivan's Island, 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. 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 11mph.
Sun, May 17: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with light winds out of the S. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 13mph.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with light winds out of the SSE. Expect the wind to bump up to around 10mph by PM.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with light winds out of the ESE. Expect the wind to bump up to around 9mph by PM.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with light winds out of the WNW. Afternoon breeze fills in to 12mph.
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Sullivan's Island offers user-friendly beach breaks along South Carolina's Atlantic coast, where sandbars create fun, forgiving waves perfect for learners and intermediate surfers. The NW-facing orientation catches northeast swells efficiently, particularly during autumn when consistent Atlantic storms generate quality groundswell. With gentle sandy bottom and mellow wave shape, this spot rewards patience during smaller swells while remaining accessible even for those building their skills.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Sullivan's Island is 1-2ft with a 7.15s swell period. Wind is SE 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 Sullivan's Island 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 Sullivan's Island is Wednesday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 8.2s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Sullivan's Island works best with a NE 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 Sullivan's 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.
Sullivan's Island is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Sullivan's Island offers user-friendly beach breaks along South Carolina's Atlantic coast, where sandbars create fun, forgiving waves perfect for learners and intermediate surfers. The NW-facing orientation catches northeast swells efficiently, particularly during autumn when consistent Atlantic storms generate quality groundswell. With gentle sandy bottom and mellow wave shape, this spot rewards patience during smaller swells while remaining accessible even for those building their skills.
The prime season at Sullivan's 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 Sullivan's Island include strong currents near inlet, occasional rip tides, military installation proximity, sharp shells. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Sullivan's 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
