Apache Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’re looking at a pretty grim run at Apache-Pier on the South Carolina coast. The next 16 days are a real struggle bus, with no standout sessions at all. The pattern is dominated by onshore and cross-shore winds, small, short-period windswell, and generally messy conditions. It’s a tough one to swallow.

We start off with a gap of no real surf on offer. The first few days, from Saturday the 18th through Monday the 20th, are all poor. Saturday morning sees a tiny 2ft swell from the south with a weak 4-second period, but a cross-on wind makes it a choppy, hopeless affair. Energy is a measly 10 (weak). That afternoon, the wind jumps to 19 mph, making it even lumpier. Sunday and Monday follow the same script – small, weak swell, and cross-shore or cross-onshore winds. The best you’ll get is Monday morning, where a clean 3ft SSW swell creeps in with a light wind, but it’s still just ordinary.

The biggest spike in the whole period hits on Tuesday the 23rd. That Thursday morning sees a 5ft south swell with a 7-second period, and the wind finally swings to a light NNE cross-off breeze. The water is clean, and the energy hits 207 (moderate). The forecast says “expect good surf conditions,” which is the best we get. But the swell is only 5ft, and the period is short, so it’s not a standout by any means – just the best of a bad lot. It’s still a beginner-friendly wave, but with the cleanup, it’ll be a fun little session. Crowds are often at Apache-Pier, so expect company.

After that, it’s back to the same old story. The rest of the week and into the second week is a mix of small south and southeast swells, cross-on winds, and poor quality. By Saturday the 25th, a glassy morning with 2ft SE swell (8-second period) is about as good as it gets, but it’s still tiny. The second week, from the 29th into August, is a total write-off. Wednesday the 29th has a glassy morning with 4ft ESE swell, but it’s a weak 5-second period – surfable but very ordinary. Energy is only 67 (weak). After that, it’s all onshore winds and tiny, short-period junk.

Honestly, there’s no standout here. The best on offer is that Thursday morning the 23rd, but it’s not worth planning a trip around. The rest of the 16 days are a grind. Apache-Pier is a consistent break, but right now, it’s just not delivering. Forecasts can change, so keep an eye on it, but for now, the surf is flat and ugly.

Rusty out.

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