Garden City Pier is a popular surf spot located along the South Carolina coast. It's known for being a designated surfing area that draws a crowd, especially during the summer months. There’s good public access and parking, so it can get pretty busy, but the vibe is generally friendly and relaxed. Off-season, you might find more space to spread out.
When it comes to surfing, Garden City Pier is best when there's a south or southeast swell. It handles swell sizes around 2 feet (about 0.6 meters) and works well on low, mid, and high tides. The waves can break either left or right over a sandy bottom, so you have a couple of options when you're out there. For the best conditions, look for northwest winds, as they can help clean up the surf.
While the pier can have average crumbly surf at times, there are good days to be had if the conditions are right. It’s a spot worth checking, especially if you're in the area and want to catch a few waves with fellow surfers.