Apache Pier
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Apache Pier can produce consistent surf thanks to pier-created sandbars. It’s typically described as having soft, mixed wave shape with short, punchy rides, and it’s commonly recommended for beginners and longboarders. Despite the wave potential, riders must strictly respect the pier rules: surfing is not permitted within 75 yards of any fishing pier, and seasonal time windows (9 a.m.–4 p.m., May 15–Sept 15) restrict surfing except in designated areas. Pier pilings, rip currents near the structure, and fishing lines/hooks are key hazards—extra caution is required, especially during busy summer periods with swimmers.
- Best on low tide
- Sandbar effects can help shape waves around the pier
- Seasonal and distance restrictions must be followed
- Consistent surf potential created by sandbars influenced by the pier structure.
- Low tide is typically the best tide window.
- Beginner-friendly classification at the break, when riding within allowed areas.
- Surfing is prohibited within 75 yards of any fishing pier (including the pier itself).
- Seasonal time restrictions can limit when surfing is allowed.
- Pier-adjacent hazards include rip currents, pier pilings, and fishing lines/hooks.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, NW, SW
- Offshore directions
- W, NW
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Wind can be frontal-driven in spring and autumn in the region.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- September, October, November, March, April
- Shadow Zones
- Immediately behind the pier structure.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Small surf described for the break.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach on both sides of the pier.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy
Through the year
Heavy in summer due to tourism; moderate in autumn and spring; light in winter.
Hurricane season runs June through November.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Apache Pier is an exposed pier-adjacent beach break with sandbar waves. However, surfing is prohibited within 75 yards of the pier structure, and seasonal time restrictions may apply—so riders must plan launch location and timing carefully. When conditions line up, it can be suitable for longboarders and beginner-to-intermediate shortboarders, with short punchy rides.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- E, SE, NE
- Swell Height
- 0.5–1.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Low tide is best.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed beach break; pier structure creates localized sandbars but the spot is still exposed.
- Wind Effect
- Best with light offshore winds from the West or Northwest; heavy onshore winds can cause messy conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out on very large swells, but often holds up better than open beach breaks due to sandbars.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Generally consistent surf, but described as average quality for the break.
- Wave Power
- Soft
- Wave Shape
- Mixed
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Short, punchy rides typical of pier breaks.
- Ride Length
- Short
- Ride Length Details
- Short, punchy rides typical of East Coast pier breaks.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Apache Pier in the full forecast view.
Apache Pier wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–15 ktsGusts 27 kts
- Direction
- NE40°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2515 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.6–1.3 m6s period
- Temperature
- 10–24 °C
Over the next 7 days, Apache Pier is forecast for daytime winds of 5–15 kts, peaking around 15 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 27 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.6–1.3 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
- No-surf zone within 75 yards of the pier
- Pier pilings
- Rip currents common near pier pilings
- Fishing lines and hooks from the pier
- Swimmers during summer months
- Sharks
- Jellyfish
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited
- Emergency Info
- Rescue availability is limited in the area; call 911 for police, fire, and ambulance services. Nearest major medical facility: Grand Strand Medical Center.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Surfing is not permitted within 75 yards of any fishing pier. Seasonal time restrictions apply: no surfing 9 a.m.–4 p.m. May 15–Sept 15 except in designated areas. A surfing leash must be worn at all times.
- No surfing within 75 yards of any fishing pier
- No surfing 9 a.m.–4 p.m. May 15–Sept 15 except in designated areas
- Do not surf directly under the pier
- Avoid swimming zones during peak hours
- Maintain a 75-yard distance from pier structure and obey local pier no-surf boundaries.
- Check the tide; many locals prefer the incoming low tide for better wave shape.
- Avoid areas near the pier where swimming zones/seasonal restrictions apply.
- Watch out for fishing hooks and lines trailing from the pier.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Myrtle Beach
- Nearest Town
- North Myrtle Beach
- Nearest Airport
- Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR)
- Parking
- Paid parking is available at the pier and the associated campground.
- Public Transport
- Limited public transit via Coast RTA; the area is primarily navigated by car rentals, ride-sharing, or taxis.
- Access
- Beach access near Apache Pier in North Myrtle Beach; obey local pier no-surf distances and seasonal time restrictions.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Nearby lodging including hotels and campgrounds.
- Food & Drink
- Food and drinks available on-site.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surfboard rentals are available at nearby surf shops; fishing gear is available on the pier.
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 Apache Pier?
The best overall months at Apache Pier are September, October. The best wind months are September, October, November, March, April.
Which wind directions work at Apache Pier?
Apache Pier works with W, NW, SW winds. Offshore directions are W, NW.
What skill level is Apache Pier suitable for?
Apache Pier suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner.