13th Avenue South (Surfside Beach)
- Beginners
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Chop, Small waves
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
13th Avenue South (Surfside Beach) is an exposed sandy beach break where surf happens only occasionally, typically when southeast swells arrive. In practice, it’s more about finding the right combination of swell and wind than expecting consistent, long-running surf. When conditions line up, northwest winds tend to help groom the surface. With east winds, conditions can become heavy and choppy. The spot is described as working best at mid-tide, with generally average wave quality and short, fast, peaky rides influenced by local sandbars. Surfing access is tightly regulated in summer: during the peak season (May 15 to September 15), surfing is permitted only between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. in designated zones, and all surfers must stay outside the restricted pier safety area. Leashes are required at all times, and the pier zone restriction is enforced year-round (no surfing within 300 feet of the fishing pier). For safety, expect potential rip currents, jellyfish, and stingrays in shallow water. Local guidance emphasizes shuffling your feet in the sand during summer. Rescue availability is limited overall, though seasonal lifeguards operate along the coastline; if you’re unsure about conditions, arrive early and plan to surf only when you can manage currents and visibility.
- Designated surfing zone with summer time-window restrictions
- Best results generally come from southeast swells with offshore northwest winds
- Short, peaky beginner waves; works best around mid-tide
- Year-round 300-foot pier exclusion zone
- Designated surfing area with seasonal legal window and zoning
- Offshore northwest winds can groom the surface
- Beginner-friendly typical wave behavior (short, peaky rides)
- Works infrequently and is described as an exposed break
- Waves can be heavy/choppy with onshore easterly winds
- Rip currents and stingrays are potential risks, especially in summer
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NW, W, SW
- Offshore directions
- NW
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Sea-breeze pattern; winds are typically strongest in the afternoon/late afternoon.
- Reliability
- fair
- Best Months
- December
- Shadow Zones
- Minimal; some shadowing from beachfront residential buildings on strong offshore winds.
- Thermal Window
- Sea breeze · Afternoon · Months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec · Dir: NW, W, SW · Afternoon sea-breeze conditions are common; peak thermal wind timing is typically late afternoon.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Small waves with an infrequent working pattern.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Onshore easterly winds can create heavy chop.
- Launch
- Small — Sandy beach with standard public access at the end of 13th Avenue South.
Through the year
Highest in June, July, and August; quiet in winter months.
Hurricane season runs from June through November, peaking in September.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed beach break that works infrequently; best on southeast swells.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SE, E, SSE
- Swell Height
- 0.6–1.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Works best at mid-tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open, exposed beach break.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore northwest winds groom the surface; east winds can make conditions heavy/choppy.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out on very large swells, but holds up well during moderate hurricane swells.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Soft — Small, inconsistent waves.
- Wave Shape
- Mushy — Mushy, sandbar-influenced shape.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Fast, peaky rides typical of East Coast sandbars.
- Ride Length
- Short — Fast, peaky rides typical of East Coast sandbars.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–50 m
- Ride Length Details
- Fast, peaky rides typical of East Coast sandbars.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for 13th Avenue South (Surfside Beach) in the full forecast view.
13th Avenue South (Surfside Beach) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–14 ktsGusts 26 kts
- Direction
- NE41°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2514 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.7–1.8 m6s period
- Temperature
- 10–25 °C
Over the next 7 days, 13th Avenue South (Surfside Beach) is forecast for daytime winds of 4–14 kts, peaking around 14 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 26 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.7–1.8 m with a period of about 6s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Rip currents
- Jellyfish
- Seasonal crowds
- Stingrays in shallow water
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguard stands are present along the coastline.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited
- Emergency Info
- Use 911 for emergencies. The primary regional hospital is Grand Strand Medical Center (also referenced: Conway Medical Center ~15 km).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Surfing allowed in designated zones during summer peak season; leash required at all times; no surfing within 300 feet of the fishing pier.
- Surfing restricted to designated areas between May 15 and September 15.
- Must wear a leash for all surfboards (max 7 feet).
- No surfing within 300 feet of the fishing pier (year-round).
- During peak season (May 15–September 15): surfing permitted 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. in designated zones.
- Shuffle your feet in the sand to avoid stingrays during the summer.
- Arrive early during the summer to secure parking at the beach access.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Myrtle Beach
- Nearest Town
- Surfside Beach
- Nearest Airport
- Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR)
- Parking
- Paid public parking is available at the end of 13th Avenue South.
- Public Transport
- Bus service available via Coast RTA along the Myrtle Beach area, including stops near major beach access points (car recommended for reliable access).
- Access
- Public beach access at 13th Avenue South, Surfside Beach, SC.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Numerous vacation rentals and motels within walking distance.
- Food & Drink
- Several restaurants and snack bars located along Surfside Drive and near the pier.
- Equipment Rental:
- Local surf shops in Surfside Beach and Myrtle Beach offer board rentals.
- Gear Storage
- Off-site storage is offered through some surf schools and resort facilities.
- Gear Repair
- Surf shops nearby provide minor surfboard repairs.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at 13th Avenue South (Surfside Beach)?
The best overall months at 13th Avenue South (Surfside Beach) are December.
Which wind directions work at 13th Avenue South (Surfside Beach)?
13th Avenue South (Surfside Beach) works with N, NW, W, SW winds. Offshore directions are NW.
What skill level is 13th Avenue South (Surfside Beach) suitable for?
13th Avenue South (Surfside Beach) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner.