Tides · Folly Beach, South Carolina
Tide conditions for Folly Beach surf spots
Predicted tides from the NOAA gauge at Folly Island (outer coast). Times are local (GMT-5). Not live water levels.
A foot of tide swing can shut down one break and light up another in Folly Beach. These 5 spots all respond differently - some need the low to expose the bar, others clean up on a rising mid.
Right now
Falling
Next low 4:05 AM, 1.0 ft (0.32 m), in 2 h 29 min.
Today · Sat, Nov 14
- Low4:05 AM1.0 ft 0.32 m
- High10:46 AM5.4 ft 1.64 m
- Low5:03 PM1.3 ft 0.39 m
- High10:58 PM4.5 ft 1.37 m
Tide chart
Next 7 days
| Day | Tides (local time, height) |
|---|---|
| Sat, Nov 14 |
|
| Sun, Nov 15 |
|
| Mon, Nov 16 |
|
| Tue, Nov 17 |
|
| Wed, Nov 18 |
|
| Thu, Nov 19 |
|
| Fri, Nov 20 |
|
Tide station
Folly Island (outer coast) · NOAA TEC3127
Full station tides →Tide by spot
The tide height and direction each break likes.
- Folly Beach1.5–4.5 ft
Top spot recommendations
Sort your quiver, choose the right tide window, and jot down a backup in case the main peak gets stacked.
Featured Beaches
5 spots
Folly Beach
IntermediateFolly Beach is a long barrier island south of Charleston with several fun breaks. The Washout—a stretch blown open by Hurricane Hugo—produces punchy peaks on SE‑NE swells, while the Folly Beach Pier offers long lefts on the south side. It's friendly for beginners when small but can handle good size during hurricane season.
Folly Beach Pier Northside
AdvancedFolly Beach Pier Northside is a pier-influenced surf zone at Folly Beach in Charleston Coast. The representative coordinate marks nearshore water, not a fixed takeoff; sandbars, currents, and access conditions can change.
Folly Beach Pier Southside
AdvancedFolly Beach Pier Southside is a pier-influenced surf zone at Folly Beach in Charleston Coast. The representative coordinate marks nearshore water, not a fixed takeoff; sandbars, currents, and access conditions can change.
The Washout North
AdvancedThe Washout North is an Atlantic sandbar surf zone at Folly Beach in Charleston Coast. The representative coordinate marks nearshore water, not a fixed takeoff; sandbars, currents, and access conditions can change.
The Washout South
AdvancedThe Washout South is an Atlantic sandbar surf zone at Folly Beach in Charleston Coast. The representative coordinate marks nearshore water, not a fixed takeoff; sandbars, currents, and access conditions can change.
Loading map...
What to focus on today
- Annotated tide windows tied to specific breaks
- How lunar cycles reshape sandbars through the season
- Safety notes for rip-prone outbound tides
- Session planning tips for dawn patrol versus sunset
Frequently Asked Questions
About surfing in Folly Beach
- Tide preferences vary by spot in Folly Beach. Generally, incoming mid-tides work well for most beaches, offering a good balance of wave shape and power. Check individual spot guides for specific tide recommendations.
- Tides significantly impact surf conditions in Folly Beach. Low tide can expose reefs and sandbars creating hollow waves, while high tide often creates softer, more forgiving waves. Mid-tide transitions typically offer the most consistent conditions.
- You can check tide charts for Folly Beach on Quiver's surf forecast pages, NOAA tide predictions, or various surf forecast apps. Quiver provides real-time tide information integrated with surf conditions for accurate session planning.
