Berts Bar (Charleston Coast)
- Freeride, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Chop, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Berts Bar on Sullivan’s Island is an exposed sandy beach break with offshore winds best coming from the north-northeast. Conditions for surfing are described as punchy and sometimes hollow when shoaling cooperates, but overall consistency is low—one source notes the break is flat and unreliable much of the time. Surf details vary by report, including whether it tends to feel soft/mushy for longboarding or can produce punchier hollow peaks in the right setup. The break is described as working both ways (left and right) and strongly influenced by tide and swell direction, with north winds/offshore flow improving face quality. Larger swell can also change behavior, including the possibility of closing out when it gets too heavy. For kiteboarding, the spot is increasingly associated with kite use due to evolving sand/shore conditions that make surfing less dependable over time. Wind is characterized as low reliability overall, though typical ranges are described around 10–20 knots with light gusts; late summer and early fall months are highlighted as the strongest windows for wind and swell. Safety is a major theme: hazards include rip currents, rocks, groins and ledgy drops near the shipping channel, and sharks. Visitors should also expect strict local rules for parking and beach behavior (including requiring tires off the roadway and avoiding glass), and rescue availability is described as limited with no lifeguards. If surfing later, checking groin locations at low tide is recommended to avoid them when waves are working.
- Exposed beach break with offshore north-northeast winds improving face quality.
- Late summer and early fall are repeatedly cited as best windows.
- Surf reliability is low and highly dependent on shoaling.
- Increasingly known for kiteboarding.
- Strict parking/access rules and multiple in-water hazards (rips/rocks/sharks/groins).
- Offshore winds from the north-northeast can produce cleaner faces for surfing.
- Late summer/early fall is highlighted for favorable conditions.
- Kiteboarding is increasingly the most reliable/known use case for the spot.
- Crowds are generally described as low.
- Low wind reliability for both surfing and kitesurfing.
- Surf can be inconsistent and dependent on shoaling cooperation; wave quality ranges from soft to poor.
- Hazards include rip currents, sharks, scattered rocks/groins, and ledgy drops near the shipping channel.
- Strict beach parking/access rules can be costly if ignored.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N
- Offshore directions
- NNE
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Offshore winds are from the north-northeast; thermal sea-breeze conditions can occur in warmer months, but overall wind consistency is low.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- August, February, March, April, September, October
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 12–17 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Fine sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Huge — Some reports describe the spot as capable of very large waves; other reports describe more typical smaller surf (setup-dependent).
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Ocean chop described for the water.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach with standard shore access.
Through the year
Highest during summer weekends and holidays; otherwise rarely crowded.
June through November (hurricane season); higher frequency of tropical activity and heavy rain typically in August and September.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Berts Bar has become more known for kiteboarding, with rideability described for similar conditions though it is less common than other nearby stations. Offshore winds and the wind window in late summer/early fall support freeride and wave riding.
- Kite Sizes
- 12–17 m²
Feasible with appropriate swell and wind, but groins and shallow sandbars require caution.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 5–7 m²
Exposed beach break with an a-frame over beach and punchy hollow peaks when shoaling cooperates. Works as both left and right-hand waves; condition consistency is low and depends heavily on shoaling.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SE, ESE
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — One source notes best with mid tide; another notes best with high tide. When planning, verify the tide because conditions change beach access and holding power.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open/exposed beach break.
- Wind Effect
- North wind/offshore winds from the north-northeast provide the cleanest faces; north wind is noted as best for surf.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out when swell exceeds about 2 meters; another description suggests working size around 3–8 ft when shoaling cooperates.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Wave quality is described as poor/low consistency in some conditions and average in others; it can improve with the right swell and offshore wind.
- Wave Power
- Soft — Often mellow/soft, but can become punchier when conditions/swell/shoaling cooperate.
- Wave Shape
- Mushy — Can show punchy hollow beach peaks with an a-frame over beach, but typical descriptions emphasize mushy/soft longboarding waves.
- Peel Speed
- Slow — Mushy/soft peaks commonly described for this break.
- Ride Length
- Short — Waves are usually short beach-break peaks.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–50 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical ride sections described as short peaks; one description places typical ride length around 30–50 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Berts Bar (Charleston Coast) in the full forecast view.
Berts Bar (Charleston Coast) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 8–19 ktsGusts 31 kts
- Direction
- NE39°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2519 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–0.3 m4s period
- Temperature
- 13–24 °C
Over the next 7 days, Berts Bar (Charleston Coast) is forecast for daytime winds of 8–19 kts, peaking around 19 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 31 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.1–0.3 m with a period of about 4s. 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
- rocks
- sharks
- groins
- ledgy drops near shipping channel
- shallow sandbars/groins near the shoreline
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital is in Mount Pleasant, approximately 15 minutes away. In any emergency, dial 911.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Be aware of ledgy drops near the shipping channel; avoid when swell is below about 3 ft due to flatter/less clean conditions. Parking and beach access rules on Sullivan’s Island are strictly enforced; check current local rules before launching and avoid restricted zones.
- Strict parking enforcement (tires must be completely off the pavement/roadway).
- Seasonal dog restrictions.
- No glass on the beach.
- Check the groin locations at low tide to avoid them when surfing later.
- Park carefully due to strict enforcement (including tires fully off the roadway).
- If surfing, avoid ledgy drops near the shipping channel when conditions are flatter.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Sullivan's Island
- Nearest Town
- Sullivan's Island
- Parking
- On-street parking available but extremely strict; tires must be completely off the roadway/pavement.
- Access
- Located at the end of the south causeway on Sullivan's Island, just south of Isle of Palms; public access via designated paths.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Vacation rentals and hotels in Mount Pleasant.
- Food & Drink
- Several restaurants and bars located a few blocks away on Middle Street.
- Equipment Rental:
- Full equipment rental for kitesurfing, wingfoiling, and surfing is available via local shops on Sullivan’s Island and in nearby Mount Pleasant.
- Gear Storage
- Some shops offer limited storage for lesson participants; many visitors store gear in their vehicle or accommodation garage.
- Gear Repair
- Local shops provide basic kite and sail repairs; major structural repairs may require specialized sailmakers in the Charleston area.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The Charleston Coast mixes barrier-island beach life with historic Southern charm and a strong local wind-sports culture.
Historic fortifications on Sullivan’s Island connected to the American Revolution and Civil War.
Well-preserved architecture, cobblestone streets, and Southern history.
Paddle through local marshes to view dolphins and manatees.
Locally sourced Southern fare with Italian influences.
Playground, sand volleyball courts, and boardwalks with easy beach access.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Berts Bar (Charleston Coast)?
The best overall months at Berts Bar (Charleston Coast) are August, September, October, February, March, April. The best wind months are August, February, March, April, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Berts Bar (Charleston Coast)?
Berts Bar (Charleston Coast) works with N winds. Offshore directions are NNE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Berts Bar (Charleston Coast)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Berts Bar (Charleston Coast): Kitesurfing: 12–17 m² · Wingfoiling: 5–7 m². The typical wind range is 10–20 kts.
What skill level is Berts Bar (Charleston Coast) suitable for?
Berts Bar (Charleston Coast) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.