Folly Beach Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's be real about the next couple of weeks at Folly Beach Pier. I'm looking at the charts and honestly, it's a bit of a flat spell. The first real surfable day isn't even until Wednesday afternoon, July 8th, and even then, it's a struggle.

We've got a long stretch of nothing special, but let's break it down. The water is sitting at a warm 85°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least you won't need a thick suit.

The first few days from July 8th through the 10th are just a write-off. We're looking at tiny, weak swell from the SSW and S, with periods around 4 to 5 seconds. That's short-period windswell, and it's not making any waves worth paddling for. The winds are mostly cross-on or cross-off, but the combined swell energy is pitiful—between 28 and 67 (weak energy). Honestly, it's a good time to take the dog for a walk on the beach.

We get a tiny glimmer of hope on the 11th and 12th, but it's still tiny. Swell heights are barely 1 foot from the SE and S. The winds are cross-shore and getting lumpy. The energy is still weak, under 50. You might find a knee-high dribbler if you're desperate, but it's not good.

The real tease comes on the 13th (Monday) and 14th (Tuesday). The swell is still small (1 foot to 1 feet), but the wind goes glassy or light offshore. That's a major positive for clean conditions. The swell is from the SE with a period of 9 seconds, which is a little better. The combined energy is still low, around 18-30 (weak energy). If you have a longboard and zero expectations, the glassy morning sessions on the 14th might be the best you'll see. The offshore on the 15th morning is also a good call for a clean, small wave.

After that, it's back to the doldrums. From the 16th through the 23rd, we're looking at tiny 0.3 feet to 2 feet swell from the SSE and SSW, with short periods. The winds are a mix of cross-off and cross-on, but the energy is consistently weak, often dropping to single digits. By the 20th, the wind swings cross-on from the ENE, making it choppy and lumpy. The setup on the 20th and 21st, with significant wind and poor surf, is looking more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

The takeaway? There's no standout day. The best you can hope for is a small, clean wave on the morning of July 14th or 15th. The rest of the 16-day window is a flat, windy, or just plain poor run. It's a blank run, and for this area, it's normal for the summer lull. Don't hold your breath.

Rusty.

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