Surf Forecasts:
Apache Pier surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 10s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 6s period, SSW swell with 106 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 10s period with SE 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 (Aug 19) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 4s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m and 4s 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 1.3m 6s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 5AM. 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 2s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Apache Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, grab your coffee, let’s talk about Apache Pier.
To be honest, the next couple of weeks look pretty flat and frustrating around here. We’re looking at a long stretch of nothing special before a late burst of energy. The water temp right now is sitting about average for this time of year, so no shock there.
From now through the 27th, it’s mostly tiny, weak, and messy. Swell heights barely tickle 1 foot to 2 feet with short, weak periods. The combined wave energy is mostly in the teens to low 30s, which is barely a pulse. Winds are a mixed bag of cross-onshore or onshore most days, keeping things choppy and uninviting. We do get a few glassy windows on the mornings of the 24th and 25th with that 3 foot S swell, but the wave quality is still "ordinary" at best – just not enough push to get excited about.
Things start to shift around the 26th. A longer-period SE swell moves in, period jumping to 16 seconds and the energy bumps up to 117, but the height is still only 1 feet. The morning of the 26th has clean conditions with a light cross-offshore wind, but those long-period swells at this size tend to just roll through without much shape on a beach break like Apache Pier. Not really rideable.
Now here’s the standout. Mark your calendar for Friday, 28th of August. The morning looks legit. We get a clean NW offshore wind, light and glassy – that’s a game-changer for quality. The swell jumps to 4 feet from the SSW, period around 6 seconds, and the combined energy hits 204 (moderate). That’s the best we’re going to see in this whole window. Winds are offshore, conditions are clean, and the size is solid for a fun, punchy session. Crowds are likely here though, so expect company in the lineup.
After that, the 29th holds onto some clean conditions and chest-high leftovers, but it’s fading fast by the afternoon. The last few days of the month and into September drop back into the doldrums with tiny SE windswell and glassy but completely flat-looking surf.
Bottom line: Button up for a long wait. The only real standout is the morning of Friday the 28th of August – that’s your best shot for clean, fun waves on a proper offshore wind. Everything else is either too small, too choppy, or both.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 34°C on Tue afternoon, min 26°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 82mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Fri morning, min 21°C on Sun afternoon). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | S 5 | S 4 | S 5 | S 5 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
13 | 9 | 19 | 25 | 23 | 21 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 42 | 39 | 60 | 59 | 91 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 5:59AM0.75m | 6:49PM0.94m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 12:49PM0.25m | 1:41AM0.32m | ||||||
— | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | |
7:59 | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | — | — | 13 | 11 | 48 | 1 |
Temp °C | 30 | 32 | 34 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 31 | 32 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 27 |
Feels °C | 33 | 34 | 35 | 34 | 35 | 35 | 33 | 34 | 33 | 30 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 31 | 28 | 26 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SSW 4 | SE 8 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 5 | ESE 8 | S 4 | S 5 | ESE 9 | S 6 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 12 |
9 | 3 | 10 | 25 | 23 | 21 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 6 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 39 | 3 | 3 | 6 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | SE 8 | SE 11 | — | S 4 | SSW 5 | SSW 4 | — | — | — | ESE 8 | S 15 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 13 | SE 8 | SE 13 | SE 12 | ESE 12 |
1 | 9 | 19 | — | 4 | 7 | 4 | — | — | — | 6 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 14 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | SSE 9 | E 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 7 | S 14 | SE 14 | — | SE 13 | — | — | — |
3 | 8 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | 7 | — | 7 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 4 | — | S 3 | S 4 | — | S 4 | S 4 | SSW 4 | S 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | S 5 | — | S 5 | S 5 | NNW 2 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 |
13 | — | 4 | 9 | — | 4 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 18 | 17 | 15 | — | 16 | 42 | 1 | 60 | 59 | 91 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 805 | 66 | 338 | 99 | 66 | 356 | 360 | 988 | 2170 | 1219 | 769 | 464 | 130 | 0 | 81 | 0 | 28 | 0 | 81 |
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.











