Best Time to Surf Folly Beach (2026)
Folly Beach, South Carolina — Month-by-month surf guide
0
Good
Surfing in April
April
1 of 1 beaches are in peak season right now. Expect 1-3 ft waves and 65°F water. Peak month: September.
Surf Score by Month
Score reflects overall surf quality each month — combining peak season activity, water temperature, and crowd levels.
Monthly Breakdown
January
0
Waves2-4 ft
Water temp57°F
Wetsuit3/2mm
CrowdsLow
Beaches peaking0
Cold front swells, Folly Beach quiet
February
0
Waves2-4 ft
Water temp55°F
Wetsuit3/2mm
CrowdsLow
Beaches peaking0
Winter northeasters
March
0
Waves2-3 ft
Water temp60°F
Wetsuit3/2mm
CrowdsLow
Beaches peaking1
Spring transitions
April
0
Waves1-3 ft
Water temp65°F
Wetsuitspring suit
CrowdsModerate
Beaches peaking1
Small clean days
May
0
Waves1-2 ft
Water temp72°F
Wetsuitboardshorts
CrowdsModerate
Beaches peaking0
Mostly flat, warm water
June
0
Waves1-3 ft
Water temp78°F
Wetsuitboardshorts
CrowdsHigh
Beaches peaking0
Tourist season begins
July
0
Waves1-3 ft
Water temp80°F
Wetsuitboardshorts
CrowdsHigh
Beaches peaking0
Warm water, occasional tropical
August
0
Waves2-4 ft
Water temp82°F
Wetsuitboardshorts
CrowdsHigh
Beaches peaking1
Hurricane season building
September
Peak0
Waves3-7 ft
Water temp80°F
Wetsuitboardshorts
CrowdsModerate
Beaches peaking1
Hurricane swells, warm water
October
Peak0
Waves3-5 ft
Water temp75°F
Wetsuitboardshorts
CrowdsModerate
Beaches peaking1
Fall swells, crowds thin
November
Peak0
Waves2-5 ft
Water temp65°F
Wetsuitspring suit
CrowdsLow
Beaches peaking1
Nor'easters, fewer crowds
December
0
Waves2-4 ft
Water temp58°F
Wetsuit3/2mm
CrowdsLow
Beaches peaking0
Cold fronts, winter surf
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 (57°F in winter)
- Best for beach breaks and exposed reef setups in Folly Beach
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 (82°F in summer)
- Sunset sessions can be magic when winds die down
Top Surf Spots in Folly Beach
Folly Beach
lower-intermediatecrowded
Peak: Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Mar, Apr