South Carolina
Slim pickings today — 2-3ft and very poor with 13mph out of the ENE.
Slim pickings today — 2-3ft and very poor with 13mph out of the ENE.
Best window·Friday 8AM–11AM·2-3ft·Fair
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at The Washout, 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 Very Poor. First light looks cleanest — 1-2ft on SE swell at 9s with 13mph out of the ENE. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Fri, Sep 4: 2–3+ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Midday is the call — 2-3ft waves with light SSE winds and fair conditions. It's a bit wonky first thing but settles down.
Sat, Sep 5: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on S swell at 5s with 10mph WSW winds. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 16mph from the SSW and dropping conditions to very poor.
Sun, Sep 6: 1–2ft, 4s period, rated Very Poor. First light looks cleanest — 1-2ft on SSE swell at 4s with moderate N wind around 13mph. The E wind kicks in by afternoon — 17mph and very poor by then.
Mon, Sep 7: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 2-3ft and very poor conditions with strong ENE wind at 24mph.
Two days at a glance. Swipe for later hours.Five days at a glance. Drag for later hours.
Very Poor today — get one free email when The Washout turns Good.
Check The Washout from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
The Washout is a mellow beach break located on Charleston's coast, offering forgiving waves perfect for learning and cruising. The sandy bottom provides a soft landing and consistent shape as swells wrap around the local geography, making it an approachable option when larger Atlantic swells arrive. Named for its tendency to strip and reform the beach face during big winter storms, this spot rewards patience with fun, peeling waves and a laid-back local vibe.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at The Washout is 2-3ft with a 8.9s swell period. Wind is E at 12mph. Conditions are rated Very Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at The Washout is 2-3ft, produced by a 2.3ft ESE 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 Washout is Friday from 8 AM to 11 AM with 3ft waves, a 6.9s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
The Washout works best with a S 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 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.
The Washout is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. The Washout is a mellow beach break located on Charleston's coast, offering forgiving waves perfect for learning and cruising. The sandy bottom provides a soft landing and consistent shape as swells wrap around the local geography, making it an approachable option when larger Atlantic swells arrive. Named for its tendency to strip and reform the beach face during big winter storms, this spot rewards patience with fun, peeling waves and a laid-back local vibe.
The prime season at The 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 The Washout include occasional strong currents, sandbars shift seasonally. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our The 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. 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).
