Best Charleston surf window today: tide and conditions
Charleston's best surf window today is 11:30 PM-12:30 AM, with falling tide, 16 mph wind, and 9.7 ft swell; tide in range, cross-shore winds, good swell angle. Sunset Bay State Park is the top pick at 10.6 ft.
Live surf planning
Plan around the live conditions
Best time to surf Charleston this week
November rates 80/100 for Charleston. 1 of 1 local beaches are in peak season; December is the historical peak if this week's surf report looks marginal.
Match the surf report
Now: rising tide, 24 mph wind, and 8.5 ft swell. Confirm them in the live surf report first.
Seasonal pattern in November
November
1 of 1 beaches are in peak season right now. Expect 5-10 ft waves and 52°F water. Peak month: December.
Surf Score by Month
Score reflects overall surf quality each month — combining peak season activity, water temperature, and crowd levels.
Monthly Breakdown
January
Big winter storms, raw power
February
Consistent large swells
March
Late winter swells fading
April
Spring transitions
May
Smaller swells, improving weather
June
Glassy mornings, summer starting
July
Small clean summer surf
August
Warmest water, small swells
September
PeakFall swell season begins, offshore winds
October
PeakPeak fall season, consistent swells
November
PeakBig swells return, heavy rubber
December
Winter storms, big waves
Dawn Patrol vs Afternoon Sessions
Dawn Patrol
- Typically glassier conditions before onshore winds build
- Smaller crowds, especially on weekdays
- Water temps at their coolest — plan your wetsuit for the low end (48°F in winter)
- Best for beach breaks and exposed reef setups in Charleston
Afternoon Sessions
- Onshore winds can create chop, but swell is often more consistent
- Higher crowds on popular beaches, especially weekends
- Water warms through the day — upper end (58°F in summer)
- Sunset sessions can be magic when winds die down
