South Carolina
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at The Pier (Pawleys 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 calm winds. Expect the wind to bump up to around 16mph by PM.
Sun, May 17: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly very poor with light winds out of the SW. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 18mph.
Mon, May 18: 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 10mph.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with light SE winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 9mph.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with barely a breath of wind. Expect the wind to bump up to around 13mph by PM.
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The Pier at Pawleys Island is a mellow beach break that works best when southeast swells wrap around the South Carolina coast and align with the pier structure. This sandy bottom setup offers forgiving, rolling waves ideal for beginners and intermediates, with the iconic fishing pier providing a visual landmark and some protection from wind. The spot picks up more consistent swell during fall and winter when Atlantic storms generate offshore energy, making it a reliable option when other nearby breaks turn flat.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at The Pier (Pawleys Island) 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 The Pier (Pawleys Island) 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 The Pier (Pawleys Island) is Monday from 10 AM to 1 PM with 2ft waves, a 7.95s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
The Pier (Pawleys Island) 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 The Pier (Pawleys 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.
The Pier (Pawleys Island) is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. The Pier at Pawleys Island is a mellow beach break that works best when southeast swells wrap around the South Carolina coast and align with the pier structure. This sandy bottom setup offers forgiving, rolling waves ideal for beginners and intermediates, with the iconic fishing pier providing a visual landmark and some protection from wind. The spot picks up more consistent swell during fall and winter when Atlantic storms generate offshore energy, making it a reliable option when other nearby breaks turn flat.
The prime season at The Pier (Pawleys 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 The Pier (Pawleys Island) include pier pilings, fishing lines, crowds during peak season. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our The Pier (Pawleys 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.
