Surfing The Washout: The Complete Guide

The Washout is a sandy-bottom beach break located in Folly Beach, USA, offering both lefts and rights along USA's coastline. The Washout earned its name from a section of road that eroded away years ago—and earned its reputation from the quality sandbars that formed in its wake. Rated as intermediate difficulty with crowded conditions, this beach break is a worthy destination for surfers looking beyond the usual suspects.

Best Conditions

Swell Direction: The ideal swell direction is SE (130°), with workable conditions from E to S (90°–170°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: The Washout needs a minimum of 0.6m / 2ft to start working and handles swells up to 2.5m / 8ft before conditions deteriorate.

Swell Period: Look for a swell period of at least 8 seconds, with 12 seconds being the sweet spot. Longer periods deliver more organized, powerful waves with better shape.

Wind: True offshore here blows from the NW (315°). The full offshore range spans W to N (280°–350°). Glassy conditions under 4km/h from any direction also produce excellent surf. Plan for early morning dawn patrol sessions.

Tide: This spot works best at mid tide. Optimal tide range is 0.4m–1.5m.

When to Go

Primary Season: The prime window at The Washout runs September, October, November, December, January, February, March (Sep–Mar). This is when swell consistency and direction align most reliably with the break.

Secondary Season: A secondary window opens August (August). While not as consistent, patient surfers can still score quality sessions during this period.

Season Notes: Hurricane season best. Named for eroded section.

Water Temperature: Expect water temperatures around 21°C / 70°F. A shorty or spring suit is recommended for longer sessions.

Getting There

The nearest airport is CHS, roughly 30 minutes by car.

Access: Free parking at end of East Ashley.

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

👥 Crowded — Gets very crowded
🌀 Strong rips — Dangerous currents

Popular local spot.

Safety Tips:

Study the currents before paddling out. Know your exit strategy
Surf early mornings or off-peak days to avoid the worst of the crowds

Skill Level: This spot is rated intermediate (4/10). Crowd Level: Typically crowded (8/10).

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at The Washout? Check the live forecast on Strike Mission to see today's conditions and the 10-day outlook. Our Strike Score algorithm rates this spot from 0 to 100 every day, factoring in swell direction, size, period, wind, and tide — so you know exactly when to paddle out.

Don't leave your next surf trip to chance. Let the data tell you when The Washout is firing.

*Conditions data sourced from Strike Mission's verified spot database.*