South Carolina
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.
Sat, May 16: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with calm winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 10mph.
Sun, May 17: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with gentle S breeze. Afternoon breeze fills in to 12mph.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with light winds out of the SSE.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with light ESE winds.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with light winds out of the W. Expect the wind to bump up to around 11mph by PM.
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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 1-2ft with a 7.15s swell period. Wind is ESE at 3mph 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 Washout is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.6ft 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.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf The Washout is Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 8.4s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
