South Carolina
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at The Pier (Pawleys Island) for the cleanest windows.
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.
Tue, Jun 30: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1ft and poor with barely a breath of wind. Afternoon breeze fills in to 12mph.
Wed, Jul 1: 2–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 2ft waves on ESE swell at 8s and 7mph ENE winds. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Thu, Jul 2: 2–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. First light looks cleanest — 2ft on ESE swell at 8s with gentle NNE breeze. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 13mph from the E and dropping conditions to poor.
Fri, Jul 3: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with glassy conditions. Afternoon breeze fills in to 11mph.
Sat, Jul 4: 1–1ft, 9s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1ft waves and poor conditions with gentle WSW breeze. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 16mph.
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 1ft with a 7.95s swell period. Wind is ENE at 10mph 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 1ft, produced by a 1.2ft ESE primary swell at 8s, a 1.6ft ENE 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 The Pier (Pawleys Island) is Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 7.8s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
