Apache Pier Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.79° N 78.73° W

Apache Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 11 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Apache Pier sea temperature is
28.1°C
0.7° 

Apache Pier surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Apache Pier surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 5s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s period, E swell with 191 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 5s period with SSW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Apache Pier this week:

The surf forecast for Apache Pier over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Apache Pier in the next 16 days are 1.2m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 3s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 17) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (EDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11AM (Sun 13th Sep)2.5ft (0.8m) 5s
Best Surf11AM (Sun 13th Sep)2.5ft (0.8m) 5s
Most Powerful11AM (Thu 17th Sep)4ft (1.2m) 8s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Apache Pier over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s get real about this one. I’ve been staring at the charts and the outlook for Apache Pier is a pretty bleak one for the next 16 days, if I’m being honest. The water temp is sitting around 83°, which is about normal for this time of year, so at least you won’t need a hood, but that’s where the good news ends.

We kick off on Friday the 11th, and honestly, it’s flat and sloppy. From there we go through a long run of days where the surf just isn’t happening. Saturday the 12th is tiny and choppy, Sunday the 13th has a brief moment with a 3ft swell from the SSW but with a period of only 5 seconds, so it’s weak and disorganised. The combined energy is just 75 (weak) and while the morning is clean with light offshore winds, it’s not enough to get excited about.

Then we hit a huge gap. From Sunday afternoon all the way through to Tuesday the 22nd, it’s pretty much all poor surf conditions. Sure, there’s a little bump on Tuesday the 15th with a 4ft easterly swell and energy hitting 100 (moderate), but the winds are cross-shore and messy. It’s just not worth paddling out for.

The first real sign of life comes on Tuesday the 22nd of September. We’ve got a 3ft to 4ft swell from the ESE on Tuesday, rising to 4ft on Wednesday the 23rd from the east, with periods stretching to 9 seconds. The combined energy jumps to 355 (strong) on Wednesday afternoon. More importantly, the wind goes cross-offshore from the north for a few days straight. Tuesday morning is clean, clean again on Tuesday afternoon, and Wednesday looks clean too. This is the best stretch on offer. The swell direction (E/ESE) isn't a perfect match for the optimum SSE direction for Apache Pier, but it’s workable for a sandbar.

Now, the tricky part: the waves are pushing 4ft. That’s getting a bit too much for beginners, especially with an east swell wrapping in on a pier. It’s a sandbar break, so the long period (9 seconds) isn't a huge worry, but it won’t be a complete mess. Crowds are ‘often’ at Apache Pier, so expect company, but that’s part of the deal here.

Then it fades again. Thursday the 24th drops to 3ft with energy back down to 98, and the rest of the run out to the 26th stays small and mediocre, even though the wind stays offshore or cross-off. That Friday and Saturday (25th and 26th) show 19 mph winds from the NNW and NW, which is fresh offshore and clean, but the swell energy is too weak to make it worth the drive.

So, if I’m being straight with you: the standout in this whole 16-day window is Wednesday the 23rd of September. It’s not a world-beater, but that’s our best shot at a clean 4ft easterly swell with offshore vibes. Everything else? Leave the board in the car.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Sun night. Warm (max 30°C on Sun afternoon, min 25°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 32°C on Mon afternoon, min 18°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Fri
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SE
7
0.4
SE
7
0.3
SE
8
0.3
SE
8
0.4
SE
9
0.4
SE
10
0.4
SE
9
0.9
SSW
5
0.3
SE
9
0.3
SE
9
1.1
E
5
1.1
E
6
0.8
E
6
1
E
5
0.9
E
6
0.8
ESE
6
0.8
E
6
1.2
E
8
0.8
ESE
6
0.7
ESE
5
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
19
12
11
11
21
25
22
37
13
12
54
100
40
55
60
40
39
191
40
23
Wind (km/h)
15
S
10
SW
10
SW
20
SSW
15
SW
10
WSW
20
SSW
15
SW
0
SW
5
S
25
ENE
20
NE
10
ESE
15
ENE
20
NE
10
ENE
20
NNE
20
NE
15
ESE
10
ENE
Wind State
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross
glassy
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
10:19PM1.09m
10:47AM1.09m
11:00PM1.05m
11:30AM1.09m
11:39PM0.99m
12:12PM1.06m
00:18AM0.93m
12:54PM1.02m
00:57AM0.88m
1:38PM0.98m
1:39AM0.83m
2:25PM0.94m
2:26AM0.79m
Low Tide
4:41PM-0.02m
5:04AM-0.01m
5:26PM0.02m
5:43AM0.02m
6:10PM0.09m
6:22AM0.07m
6:53PM0.17m
7:01AM0.14m
7:37PM0.26m
7:41AM0.21m
8:23PM0.34m
8:25AM0.28m
9:14PM0.41m
cloud
clear
thunderstorm
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
clear
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:54
6:56
6:56
6:56
6:58
6:58
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:27
7:25
7:23
7:22
7:22
7:20
7:19
 mm
2
4
1
3
4
1
1
Temp °C
29
28
27
28
27
29
30
29
29
32
31
22
26
25
22
27
25
24
27
26
Feels °C
32
31
30
29
27
32
31
31
33
35
33
21
25
24
20
25
23
24
28
27
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Apache Pier Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Apache Pier provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Apache Pier can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Apache Pier surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Apache Pier) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).

Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Apache Pier may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.

Apache Pier is 18 km (11 miles) from Myrtle Beach. If you plan a vacation in South Carolina, look for hotels and other accommodation in Myrtle Beach. Myrtle Beach has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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