Surf Forecasts:
Apache Pier surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 4s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 5s period, SW swell with 53 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 4s 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 4s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 4s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 7s 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 1.1m 5s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 4s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 4s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Apache Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let me tell you straight: the next 16 days are a real struggle for a wave. We’ve got a long stretch of very tiny, weak, and mostly messy surf on the cards.
First off, the big picture. We are looking at a period of almost non-stop poor surf conditions. The wave energy is a joke, mostly in the teens and twenties `(14)` to `(82)`, so there's nothing with any grunt behind it. The swell is tiny, rarely getting above `3 ft`, and it’s coming from the S or SE, which isn't ideal for the pier. The period is all over the place, from short 4-second wind slop to a rare 12-second groundswell, but even the longer period stuff lacks any size.
The first real chance, and the only highlight I’d even call a standout, comes on the morning of the 26th of August. The winds go light WSW, giving us a clean `cross-off` look at Apache Pier. The surf is still small, at about `3 ft` from the SSW, but for a brief moment, the conditions might be just about surfable. The combined energy is still weak at `(54)`, so don't expect barrels. It's a session for the longboard or a foamie. This is the one window, and it’s a fleeting one.
After that, we go right back into the doldrums. The rest of the period is a blur of onshore wind and tiny, choppy waves. The wind is mostly cross-on or onshore from the S, SE, and ENE, tearing up what little shape there is. There are a few glassy or clean mornings, like the 18th with a `0.7 ft` SSE groundswell, or the 24th of August with another `2 ft` S swell under clear skies, but the swell is simply too small to do anything with. The water temp is sitting at `84°F` for the first session, which is about normal for the time of year.
To put it bluntly, the 26th of August morning is the only time to even consider paddling out. Everything else is a flat spell with crummy wind. For the most part, you’re better off finding something else to do. The conditions are so poor for so long that it’s almost impressive.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 34°C on Tue afternoon, min 26°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 30°C on Wed night, min 23°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | ||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SSW 4 | SE 8 | SE 11 | SW 5 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 4 | S 5 | S 5 | S 5 | S 5 | S 5 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
23 | 22 | 15 | 18 | 11 | 19 | 53 | 23 | 29 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 15 | 23 | 47 | 15 | 28 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 00:55AM0.95m | 1:34PM0.98m | 1:38AM0.88m | 2:21PM0.95m | 2:22AM0.82m | 3:11PM0.92m | 3:11AM0.78m | 4:04PM0.90m | 4:05AM0.75m | 5:00PM0.90m | 5:02AM0.74m | 5:56PM0.91m | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:41AM0.06m | 8:11PM0.19m | 8:24AM0.12m | 9:01PM0.28m | 9:09AM0.19m | 9:54PM0.35m | 10:00AM0.24m | 10:52PM0.39m | 10:55AM0.27m | 11:51PM0.40m | 11:53AM0.28m | 00:48AM0.37m | |||||||
— | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | |
8:00 | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:52 | — | |
mm | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | — | 14 |
Temp °C | 29 | 31 | 33 | 30 | 33 | 34 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 27 | 30 | 28 |
Feels °C | 32 | 35 | 35 | 33 | 35 | 35 | 33 | 32 | 34 | 31 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 34 | 31 | 27 | 31 | 33 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSW 4 | SE 11 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SE 9 | S 5 | S 5 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | S 5 | S 5 | ESE 8 |
23 | 22 | 15 | 9 | 6 | 19 | 23 | 7 | 13 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 20 | 15 | 7 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 4 | E 5 | — | E 6 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | — | SE 5 | — | S 15 | S 14 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 13 |
1 | 2 | — | 1 | 9 | 10 | 25 | 23 | 29 | 12 | 11 | — | 1 | — | 4 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 7 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 5 | E 5 | — | S 13 | SSE 9 | E 6 | E 5 | — | — | — | SE 5 | — | — | E 7 | E 6 | — | SE 14 | SE 13 | — |
1 | 2 | — | 3 | 8 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 7 | 7 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 3 | SSW 4 | SW 4 | S 4 | SW 5 | — | S 5 | — | — | SSE 5 | S 4 | S 4 | S 5 | S 5 | S 5 | — | S 5 |
— | — | 5 | 18 | 11 | 9 | 53 | — | 8 | — | — | 7 | 7 | 10 | 15 | 23 | 47 | — | 28 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 823 | 589 | 701 | 769 | 66 | 338 | 52 | 512 | 512 | 450 | 962 | 962 | 1226 | 360 | 1779 | 61 | 0 | 82 | 18 |
Best forecast wave conditions in South Carolina | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.











