Hunting Island is a beautiful stretch of beach located in Hunting Island State Park, accessible from Beaufort via Highway 21. The scenery is pretty nice, with the area offering a long beachbreak that gets exposed to swells coming from different directions. While the beach may not be the most famous surf spot, it has its own charm and is worth checking out.
The surf at Hunting Island can handle swell sizes from about 3 feet (1 meter) to 6 feet (1.8 meters). It’s ideal when the tide is mid to high, with the best waves forming on incoming tide. When the conditions are right, you can catch some nice lefts and rights, and there’s potential for some scattered peaks that cater to all levels of surfers, from beginners to experts. The preferred wind directions are from the west and northwest, which work well to create more rideable waves.
Watch out for strong currents in certain areas, especially during hard northeast and southwest winds. There are also some underwater tree stumps and occasional floating debris, so it’s good to stay alert while you’re out there. The local vibe is pretty chill, and you likely won’t have to deal with crowds. In terms of seasons, late summer, early fall, and early spring are generally the best times to surf here. Whether you’re on a shortboard, funboard, longboard, fish, or SUP, you'll find something to ride.