South Carolina
Aim for the middle of the day — 2-3ft on SE swell at 9s with 7mph from the SE.
Aim for the middle of the day — 2-3ft on SE swell at 9s with 7mph from the SE.
Best window·Friday 7AM–10AM·2-3ft·Fair
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.
Thu, Sep 3: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 1-2ft waves on SE swell at 9s with 7mph SE winds. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Fri, Sep 4: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Very Poor. Aim for the middle of the day — 2-3ft on SSE swell at 6s with gentle S breeze. Morning is a bit bumpy but things clean up by late morning. Don't wait too long — the wind comes back up after lunch.
Sat, Sep 5: 2–3ft, 5s period, rated Poor - Fair. The sweet spot is around midday — 2-3ft waves, moderate WSW wind around 9mph, fair conditions. It's a bit wonky first thing but settles down. Afternoon wind picks back up so try to get wet before 2pm.
Sun, Sep 6: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. Early morning is your best window — 1-2ft waves on SE swell at 4s with 11mph from the NNE. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Mon, Sep 7: 3–4ft, 6s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 2-3+ft and mostly very poor with 21mph ENE winds.
Two days at a glance. Swipe for later hours.Five days at a glance. Drag for later hours.
Poor - Fair today — get one free email when The Pier (Pawleys Island) turns Good.
Check The Pier (Pawleys Island) from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
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 2-3ft with a 8.8s swell period. Wind is SE at 8mph. Conditions are rated Poor - Fair. 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 2-3ft, produced by a 2ft SE primary swell at 9s. 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 Friday from 7 AM to 10 AM with 2ft waves, a 6.3s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. 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. We also verify our offshore swell predictions against NOAA buoy measurements daily — see our accuracy page for those swell-verification metrics (buoys measure open-water swell, not breaking surf size).
