Apache Pier Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.79° N 78.73° W

Apache Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 16 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Apache Pier sea temperature is
28.7°C
1.7° 

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 16 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 16 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 5s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 5s period, E swell with 37 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 16 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 5s period with E 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 Wednesday (Sep 16) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 14s. 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 0.8m 5s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (EDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Wed 16th Sep)2.5ft (0.8m) 5s
Best Surf 8AM (Wed 16th Sep)2.5ft (0.8m) 5s
Most Powerful 8AM (Wed 16th Sep)2.5ft (0.8m) 5s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, surfers, Rusty here, giving you the lowdown on Apache Pier (sandbar) for the next couple weeks. The surf forecast is looking pretty rough, so let’s be real. Water temp is around 84°F, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year – feels like a warm bath.

We’ve got a major dry spell starting out. From Wednesday, September 16th, all the way to the end of the third week of September, there’s basically nothing to ride. Swell is tiny, from 0.3ft to 3ft, coming from the east and southeast with short periods. The combined wave energy is in the teens and twenties – real weak. Winds are mostly onshore or cross-onshore, and it’s all “poor surf conditions.” There’s a couple glassy moments on Friday the 18th and Monday the 21st, but with only 1ft of swell, it’s barely a ripple. Not worth paddling out for.

This quiet stretch runs right through the 26th. On Saturday, September 26th, we finally see something. The morning brings a 3ft swell from the east with a moderate cross-offshore wind keeping things clean, and the energy is 67 – still weak, but it’s a pulse. That afternoon, it bumps to 4ft from the east, with a cross-shore and some chop. It’s not great, but for beginners, it’s about the best you’ll find. Crowds are listed as “often,” so expect company.

For the more experienced crew, the real show starts late in the window. On Monday the 28th of September, the afternoon sees a 5ft swell from the east-southeast with a 7-second period, and the energy jumps to a moderate 237. The wind is a fresh cross-shore, so it’s lumpy and messy. Then on Tuesday the 29th, it gets serious: morning has 7ft from the east-southeast (energy 648), and the afternoon hits 8ft with 756 energy. Again, that fresh cross-shore wind keeps it choppy. This is expert-only territory due to size and mess.

The one standout, for better or worse, is Wednesday, September 30th, in the morning. The data really points to this one. You’re looking at a big 10ft swell from the south-southeast with an 11-second period – that’s real groundswell with long lulls between sets. The combined energy hits a very strong 1941, so there’s massive power. The wind is a moderate cross-shore with some chop, but it’s cleaner than the previous days. The catch is that the swell is predicted to be too big for this break. It’s an expert’s gamble – if the sandbar holds, it could be the wave of the window, but it’s heavy and intimidating. For most, it’s a day to watch from the pier.

After that, Thursday, October 1st, drops fast to 3ft from the south, then 2ft from the southeast, with fresh onshore winds and it’s back to quiet.

So, beginners: your best bet is that clean 3ft morning on the 26th. Experts: if you’ve got the skill and the nerve, that massive morning on the 30th is your only real shot, but it’s a beast. The nearly two-week gap with next to nothing is the harsh reality here. Forecasts can change, so keep an eye out.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Wed afternoon, min 21°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 27°C on Sat afternoon, min 24°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
Monday
21
Tuesday
22
AM
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
0
0
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)
0.7
E
5
0.8
ESE
5
0.7
ESE
5
0.5
ESE
6
0.5
ESE
6
0.4
ESE
6
0.4
ESE
6
0.4
SE
6
0.4
S
4
0.4
SE
5
0.3
SE
5
0.2
SSE
6
0.4
SE
8
0.3
SE
9
0.4
SE
9
0.4
SE
8
0.4
SE
8
0.4
SE
8
0.4
SE
8
0.3
SE
8
0.3
SE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
28
31
27
18
18
13
12
8
6
6
5
4
18
12
20
18
16
16
16
11
10
Wind (km/h)
15
NE
20
ESE
15
ENE
10
NE
15
SE
10
SSE
5
SSW
15
S
5
SW
10
ENE
15
ESE
15
E
10
ESE
10
SSE
5
SSW
5
S
15
SE
10
SSE
10
E
10
SE
10
S
Wind State
cross
on
cross-on
cross
on
on
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
High Tide
1:38PM0.98m
1:39AM0.83m
2:25PM0.94m
2:26AM0.79m
3:18PM0.91m
3:20AM0.77m
4:15PM0.91m
4:20AM0.77m
5:13PM0.92m
5:21AM0.78m
6:07PM0.94m
6:17AM0.82m
6:57PM0.98m
Low Tide
8:23PM0.34m
8:25AM0.28m
9:14PM0.41m
9:14AM0.33m
10:10PM0.45m
10:11AM0.37m
11:09PM0.46m
11:12AM0.37m
00:08AM0.43m
12:12PM0.34m
1:02AM0.37m
1:08PM0.30m
1:51AM0.30m
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
rain showers
clear
clear
rain showers
thunderstorm
cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
thunderstorm
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:58
6:58
6:58
7:00
7:01
7:01
7:01
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:20
7:19
7:16
7:15
7:15
7:13
7:12
 mm
1
1
1
2
2
5
Temp °C
25
27
25
24
26
25
25
27
26
25
27
26
26
27
26
25
26
26
27
27
27
Feels °C
25
26
24
25
26
25
27
28
26
27
27
27
29
29
29
29
28
28
30
29
30
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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