Best North Myrtle Beach surf window today: tide and conditions

North Myrtle Beach's best surf window today is 2:30 PM-3:30 PM, with falling tide, 5 mph wind, and 0.5 ft swell; tide in range, cross-shore winds, good swell angle. Cherry Grove Pier Northside is the top pick at 0.6 ft.

Live surf planning

Plan around the live conditions

Best time to surf North Myrtle Beach this week

September rates 87/100 for North Myrtle Beach. 2 of 2 local beaches are in peak season; October is the historical peak if this week's surf report looks marginal.

Match the surf report

Now: falling tide, 5 mph wind, and 0.6 ft swell. Confirm them in the live surf report first.

Check today's Cherry Grove Pier Northside surf report
87
GOOD

Seasonal pattern in September

September

2 of 2 beaches are in peak season right now. Expect 3-7 ft waves and 80°F water. Peak month: October.

Next steps

Turn North Myrtle Beach's season guide into today's surf call

The calendar shows when this zone usually works. Start with the live report before you load boards.

Surf Score by Month

Score reflects overall surf quality each month — combining peak season activity, water temperature, and crowd levels.

Monthly Breakdown

January

83
Waves2-4 ft
Water temp57°F
Wetsuit3/2mm
CrowdsLow
Beaches peaking2

Cold front swells, Folly Beach quiet

February

75
Waves2-4 ft
Water temp55°F
Wetsuit3/2mm
CrowdsLow
Beaches peaking2

Winter northeasters

March

63
Waves2-3 ft
Water temp60°F
Wetsuit3/2mm
CrowdsLow
Beaches peaking2

Spring transitions

April

36
Waves1-3 ft
Water temp65°F
Wetsuitspring suit
CrowdsModerate
Beaches peaking0

Small clean days

May

23
Waves1-2 ft
Water temp72°F
Wetsuitboardshorts
CrowdsModerate
Beaches peaking0

Mostly flat, warm water

June

25
Waves1-3 ft
Water temp78°F
Wetsuitboardshorts
CrowdsHigh
Beaches peaking0

Tourist season begins

July

37
Waves1-3 ft
Water temp80°F
Wetsuitboardshorts
CrowdsHigh
Beaches peaking0

Warm water, occasional tropical

August

65
Waves2-4 ft
Water temp82°F
Wetsuitboardshorts
CrowdsHigh
Beaches peaking2

Hurricane season building

September

Peak
87
Waves3-7 ft
Water temp80°F
Wetsuitboardshorts
CrowdsModerate
Beaches peaking2

Hurricane swells, warm water

October

Peak
92
Waves3-5 ft
Water temp75°F
Wetsuitboardshorts
CrowdsModerate
Beaches peaking2

Fall swells, crowds thin

November

Peak
89
Waves2-5 ft
Water temp65°F
Wetsuitspring suit
CrowdsLow
Beaches peaking2

Nor'easters, fewer crowds

December

83
Waves2-4 ft
Water temp58°F
Wetsuit3/2mm
CrowdsLow
Beaches peaking2

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 North Myrtle 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 North Myrtle Beach

Cherry Grove Pier Northside
intermediate-advancedmoderate

Peak: Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar

Cherry Grove Pier Southside
intermediate-advancedmoderate

Peak: Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar

Surf Guides for North Myrtle Beach, SC