Overview

Folly Beach is the most popular kitesurfing spot in the Charleston area, located on Folly Island, a barrier island south of the city. Nicknamed "The Edge of America", Folly Beach offers a long sandy beach facing southeast with good exposure to Atlantic swells. The kite and surf community is very active here. The spot offers varied conditions — from flat water on sandbars at low tide to quality waves in southeast swell. The relaxed, bohemian vibe typical of Folly Beach.

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Spot forecast for Folly Beach / Folly Island

Sunrise 07:27 · Sunset 18:41

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< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

Swell and waves

Swell and tides over 8 days. Premium members see the swell and tides over 8 days. Without a subscription: 5 days.

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Wave height: < 0.5 m 0.5–1 m 1–2 m 2–3 m ≥ 3 m

Swell data by Open-Meteo Marine

Tides

Heights above lowest astronomical tide, in the spot's local time. Computed 3.5 km from the spot.

Monday 19 October High tide 02:40 · 1.5 m Low tide 08:37 · 0.7 m High tide 15:04 · 1.7 m Low tide 21:29 · 0.7 m
Tuesday 20 October High tide 03:33 · 1.6 m Low tide 09:37 · 0.6 m High tide 15:55 · 1.7 m Low tide 22:16 · 0.6 m
Wednesday 21 October High tide 04:22 · 1.7 m Low tide 10:30 · 0.6 m High tide 16:42 · 1.8 m Low tide 22:58 · 0.5 m
Thursday 22 October High tide 05:08 · 1.8 m Low tide 11:17 · 0.5 m High tide 17:28 · 1.8 m Low tide 23:37 · 0.4 m
Friday 23 October High tide 05:53 · 1.9 m Low tide 12:03 · 0.4 m High tide 18:13 · 1.9 m

Folly Beach / Folly Island: when to go?

Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)

Season · peak

319h

in June · 30 rideable days

The season runs from March to September, peaking in June: 28 rideable days a month and 319 hours of usable wind, at 27 °C. The low point is January, at 13.5 days.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 80%13-20 knots · 19%21-30 knots · 1%31+ knots · under 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 80% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at 13 °C. The wettest month is August, with 408 mm.

Monthly averages: Folly Beach / Folly Island

Monthly averages — Folly Beach / Folly Island — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	13.5	97 h	13 °C	84 mm
February	23.0	169 h	16 °C	36 mm
March	25.5	215 h	20 °C	91 mm
April	27.5	250 h	23 °C	92 mm
May	26.5	239 h	27 °C	170 mm
June	30.0	319 h	30 °C	70 mm
July	29.5	270 h	31 °C	122 mm
August	29.0	274 h	29 °C	408 mm
September	26.5	270 h	28 °C	64 mm
October	23.5	229 h	23 °C	99 mm
November	17.0	111 h	21 °C	36 mm
December	16.0	120 h	15 °C	47 mm

Photo gallery of Folly Beach / Folly Island

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Technical details of Folly Beach / Folly Island spot

The spot works with winds from N, NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE, SSE, S, SSW.

Rideable Not rideable

Spot opening date · Required level

Spot opening date: Open all year round
Required level: Intermediate

On the water

Atlantic Ocean with southeast swell and waves. Good wave conditions for wave kitesurfing. Sandbars at low tide offering flat water. Tidal and longshore currents present. Warm water from May to October. Sandy bottom. Ideal conditions for wave riding in southeast swell.

Hazards

Tidal and longshore currents. Very numerous swimmers and surfers in summer — watch for user conflicts. Sharks and jellyfish. Severe thunderstorms possible in spring and summer. Kitesurfing restrictions possible in summer in certain beach areas. Check local regulations before riding.

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Charleston Executive Airport8 kmsource noaa

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Additional stations

Charleston Executive Airport Airport8.3 km

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source aviationweather.gov
GW0366 Charleston9.1 km

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source noaa

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Webcams near Folly Beach / Folly Island

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Nearby spots

All spots: South Carolina

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Folly Beach / Folly Island kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spot