Beach

both

Level 4/10

The Washout

Folly Beach, USA

👥Crowded🌀Strong rips

The Washout earned its name from a section of road that eroded away years ago—and earned its reputation from the quality sandbars that formed in its wake. This local favorite sits at the east end of Folly Beach, away from the pier crowds, where dedicated Charleston surfers gather for dawn patrols and post-work sessions. The wave itself is typical East Coast beach break, but the tight-knit community and consistent sandbars make it feel like something more. Free parking and a less touristy vibe cement The Washout as the locals' choice on Folly.

10-Day Forecast

Today

Fair

0.6mSE

@10s

12km/h

Wed

Poor

0.8mESE

@9s

7km/h

Thu

Fair

0.8mESE

@10s

8km/h

Fri

Fair

1.0mESE

@10s

7km/h

Sat

Poor

1.9mE

@8s

42km/h

Sun

Fair

1.7mESE

@9s

18km/h

Choppy

Mon

Poor

1.1mESE

@8s

28km/h

Tue

Poor

0.6mESE

@10s

10km/h

Choppy

Wed

Poor

0.6mE

@9s

18km/h

Today

Tue, Jan 20

0.6m @ 10s SE

12 km/h WNW

Wed

Wed, Jan 21

0.8m @ 9s ESE

7 km/h ENE

Thu

Thu, Jan 22

0.8m @ 10s ESE

8 km/h W

Fri

Fri, Jan 23

1.0m @ 10s ESE

7 km/h WSW

Sat

Sat, Jan 24

1.9m @ 8s E

42 km/h NE

Sun

Sun, Jan 25

1.7m @ 9s ESE

18 km/h NW

Choppy

Mon

Mon, Jan 26

1.1m @ 8s ESE

28 km/h NNE

Tue

Tue, Jan 27

0.6m @ 10s ESE

10 km/h WSW

Choppy

Wed

Wed, Jan 28

0.6m @ 9s E

18 km/h W

Today's Conditions

Swell

0.6m

SE(124°)

Score: 8/25

Period

10s

Medium period swell

Score: 20/25

Wind

12km/h

WNW(300°)

Score: 18/25

Weather

6°C

0.0mm75%

Windswell Component

0.1mW@1s

Secondary Swell

0.1mS

Forecast Confidence

100%

Sources: open-meteo-marine, open-meteo-weather

Best Session

morning

Strike Score Breakdown

Fair

Swell Direction

16/25

How well swell angle matches the spot

Swell Size

8/25

Wave height in the ideal range

Swell Period

20/25

Each spot has different period requirements. Points and reefs can handle longer periods than beaches.

Wind

18/25

Offshore/glassy conditions

Total Score62/100

Location & Conditions

Loading map...

Swell

Wind

View in OpenStreetMap

Showing forecast for today

Spot Details

Swell Requirements

Optimal direction: SE (130°)
Direction range: 90° - 170°
Size range: 0.6m - 2.5m
Ideal period: 12s+

Wind Requirements

Optimal direction: NW (315°)
Offshore range: 280° - 350°
Best window: morning

Tide Requirements

Optimal tide: mid
Optimal range: 0.4m - 1.5m

Water temp

21°C

Wetsuit

Springsuit / 2mm

Difficulty

4/10

Crowd level

8/10

Access: Free parking at end of East Ashley.

Getting There

Airport

CHS

Drive time

30 min

Nearby Buoy

Forecasts are validated against real-time buoy data.

41004 (NOAA)

Best Season

Peak: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar

Secondary: Aug

Hurricane season best. Named for eroded section.

Data Quality

verified

Verified by Surfline spot guide