Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert

Type: Ocean

Water type: Shallow, Flat, Chop, Small wave, Medium wave

Water hazards: Currents, Ships

Water quality: Clean

Infos: In Charleston, low tide sandbars create flat water with Atlantic breaks on the outside. The inlet gets bigger sandbars during low tide. On the Sullivan's Island side, you have flat to semi choppy water at low tide. On the Isle of Palms side, an incoming tide brings nice waist to head high waves. Great for launching off of. A strong onshore wind (20-25) can really kill a small swell. A strong offshore wind can kill even a large swell. Light offshore winds can really make a small swell that much better, and take a large swell from okay to epic. The biggest swells typically occur in the winter, early spring, and fall and may be associated with strong Northeasterlies coming down from North Carolina, offshore hurricanes during mid summer to late fall, or other local weather systems. Summertime can be unpredictable and surf is usually best in the morning before the afternoon sea breeze kicks in. The biggest waves usually aren't much bigger than a couple of feet overhead, but sometimes we get lucky. All breaks are sandy bottom breaks. The tides in Charleston do have a pretty dramatic affect on several spots, so it is good to know where to go and the right time. Southeast wind usually means wind-chopped surf. Northeast winds can kick up the stronger surf. Count on strong currents during larger swells associated with storms, especially if the wind is blowing sideshore. Beginners are encouraged to stay in the inside as the occasional rip currents can take you by surprise. There are many perfect learning small days.

Beach type & size: Sand - Tidal

Infos: Big sandbar on low tide, which disappears during high tide. But you can launch also from Sullivan's Island or Isle of Palms.

Identified hazards: None

Beachgoer: None

Weather specificities: In Charleston, surfing is a year round sport. Spring waters start warming in March and wetsuits soon disappear. Summer waters hit the mid-high 80'sF and stay warm till October. Fall/winter water temps drop toward thanksgiving average in the 50'sF. Typically, you can get away with only very minimal warmth protection for 7-8 months of the year. Winter temps average low 50'sF and many kiters just wear a full 3mm wetsuit. However, certain fronts may change currents and waters have been in the mid-lower 40'sF on occasion (January to February). Spring suits are in fashion usually by the end of April (sometimes earlier), skin no later than mid May, and back into shorties by October. The really thick rubber (4/3), booties, gloves and hoods don't usually come out until December through February, but it varies.

Wind type: Thermal, Frontal

Wind specificities: Spring boasts steady warm southerly winds averaging 15-25 kts. Summer typically relies on afternoon thermals ranging 10-15 kts. Fall/winter offer 15-25kts but from often gusty Northeast frontals. Since the coastline is angled, optimal wind directions are sideshore Southwest (typically steady) followed by Northeast (usually gusty). Predominant summertime winds are side to onshore SSW. Usually a Southwest wind means wind-chopped surf. OK for kiteboarders, but not so great for surfers. Most other wind directions are uncommon, but do happen and are usually associated with passing fronts, thunderstorms, or light morning winds. August is well known to have few "nice" windy days. Strong cold fronts are common in late fall, winter and early spring. They may produce strong, gusty offshore North and Westerly winds, but also bring Northeast winds that kick up the stronger surf and allow for decent side to onshore wave riding. Offshore hurricanes in late summer/fall can also bring great swells to local beaches. Typically providing epic wave riding conditions. However, they can also back off thermals and create some of the worst wind conditions. Charleston kiters must depend on strong fronts to generate sustainable winds. Several weeks without good wind is typical late August to early November. General guidelines: rain and clouds usually kill a SW, but power a NE. Predicting wind is tricky, a lot of our kiteable wind comes in unpredicted spurts and thermals that may only last a couple of hours and then immediately shut off. When the water reaches a certain temperature during the early spring, late fall, and throughout winter, Southwest winds have a hard time reaching the beaches. It is not uncommon for the offshore forecasts to predict 20-25knots of Southwest wind in conjunction with a warm front (ie thermal) and weather system. If the weather system is particularly strong and not accompanied by a lot of moisture, you may actually have that much wind at the beach. More often, the Southwest wind brings up the Southern moisture from Florida, as well as the warmer (and welcomed) temperatures. At the right time of the year this just feeds the thermals and makes for some great ocean kiting. Other times (like the early spring, late fall and winter), the cold water causes a large layer of moisture to develop along the beaches. This layer of moisture seems to block the onshore South to Southwest wind and turns a 20-25 knot beach forecast into a 10 knot day at best. For long range frontal forecasts, follow the frontal boundaries and isobars. But there are a lot of days that happen based more on local weather, rather than large area fronts (i.e., thermals or the lack thereof). A good rule to use 90% of the time is to pay closest attention to the Charleston harbor forecast and pilot buoy discussions (what we use for predicted wind forecast). A hot day in March with predicted SW 20kt 0-20 miles out likely means the coastal regions will only see a big haze, unless the SW are backed by a significant frontal boundary. Likewise, if you see a predicted SW 20kts 0-20 miles out during the summer, and a strong chance of thunderstorms are predicted throughout the day, your window for wind is likely to be very small.

Best months: April, May

Access description: by Car, Boat - From Mt. Pleasant, head down Coleman Blvd across the Sullivan's Island swing bridge connector. Take your second left once on the island and head to station's 28-29 (28th or 29th avenue). Or, for the waves, head across Breach Inlet and park in the lot right on the other side of the bridge on the Isle of Palms.

Specific rules: Zones

Extra: Certain rules pertain to beaches during crowded summer months. Bans have been discussed, please inform yourself about the rules, ask locals if unclear, be polite and courteous at all times. Prime spots in the flats are accessible only by boat.

Nightlife: Charleston is one of the most urban coastal cities on the east coast. Plenty of dinning from home stile BBQ to eclectic gourmet and all the nightlife you can handle. If you're feeling casual, hang out on one of the islands. Need some culture, head to the Charleston peninsula for world class shopping, food, and drinks.

Accommodations: Parking