Swell Intel

The Washout Surf Forecast, South Carolina

South Carolina

South Washout1-2ftFolly Beach Pier1-2ftSullivan's Island1-2ft
The Washout surf spot

Current Conditions

Poor
Wave Height
1-2ft
knee to waist high
Swell Period
7.4s
Wind
6mph
SSE / Gusts 13mph
Conditions
Poor
Active Swells
Primary
2.3ft @ 7sSE

Daily Forecast

3 of 5 days
Tue, Mar 311-2ft
Poor

Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with 7mph from the SSE.

6am9am12pm3pm
7s SE|7mph SSE
Wed, Apr 11-2ft
Poor

Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with gentle S breeze.

6am9am12pm3pm
7s SE|5-8mph SSE
Thu, Apr 21-2ft
Poor

Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with light SE winds.

6am9am12pm3pm
7s SE|5-7mph ESE
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Sat

Forecast Charts

The Washout Surf Spot Guide

Break
Beach
Bottom
Sand
Level
Beginner
Crowd
Light
Best Swell
S
Best Wind
NW
Season
Fall

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.

Occasional strong currentsSandbars shift seasonally

Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.

The Washout Surf Forecast FAQ

What is the current surf forecast for The Washout?
The current wave height at The Washout is 1-2ft with a 7.4s swell period. Wind is SSE at 6mph. Conditions are rated Poor.
How accurate is the The Washout surf forecast?
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.
What is the breaking wave height at The Washout?
The current breaking wave height at The Washout is 1-2ft, produced by a 2.3ft 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.
When is the best time to surf The Washout?
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf The Washout is Saturday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 8.3s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.