Charleston Area

Charleston's surf zone spans three barrier islands: Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms (IOP) north of the harbor entrance, and Folly Beach south of the Stono Inlet. The Washout on Folly is the state's flagship — heavy hollow beach break peaks born from the 1989 Hurricane Hugo pier collapse — with the numbered Blocks (4th, 9th, 11th) and the rebuilt Folly Pier rounding out the south lineup. On IOP, the Pier and 25th Ave pick up cleaner NE swell, and Breach Inlet between Sullivan's and IOP fires on big pulses but carries strong currents. Best Sep–Nov on hurricane swell.