Surf: General: The surf potential here is not terribly good, due to a wide continental shelf and occasional sandbars from outflow from the Broad River, so you'll find typical Carolina beachbreak with no real standout areas. Hilton Head picks up the best swells from the S and E, and works best on an incoming tide. Hurricane swells will be best. Tides: mid to high Size: waist-overhead high Wind: W, NW Swell: S, SE Bottom: sand Paddling: Hard NE and SW winds can produce strong currents, but generally pretty mellow. Spot Rating: A fickle spot due to shallow banks (of dredging waste) offshore. Look for the a small window around high tide where swell can pass over the block. Waves breaking two miles offshore is a good indicator for sufficient tidal depth for surf at the beach. Access: Several beaches have public access and parking. But boating to the island is a must. Crowds: Crowd Factor: light Local Vibe: Not much. Environment: Some runoff pollution after heavy rains. Hazards: Miscellaneous sea creatures in the water, and cranky fishermen near the piers. Season: Late summer, early fall, early spring