Hunting Island surf guide
Surf: This pristine beach is rapidly disappearing as the ocean is now making it into the sub-tropical forest at high tide. Either side of high tide, walled up peaks will appear, offering occasional barrels when it’s offshore. The area in front of the lighthouse, which had to be moved due to the erosion, is generally best.
Environment: Beware strong currents at either end of the island, also many underwater tree stumps and the odd floating palm tree in the line-up. Even if it’s flat, Hunting Island State Park is worth checking out. Full facilities include a good campsite.
Surf: General: Hunting Island State Park is one long beachbreak exposed to swells from all directions. The north end of the island can get quite juicy on NE windswells. There's considerable continental shelf once you start getting this far south. And you start to see six-foot-plus tidal changes, as well, so this area is definitely best on incoming to high tide.
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: Scattered peaks, ideal for all types surfers most days.
Access: Hunting and Fripp are accessed from Beaufort via a beautiful drive on Highway 21. Surf anywhere.
Crowds: Crowd Factor: none
Local Vibe: Not much.
Environment: Pretty clean, although typically cloudy
Hazards: Miscellaneous sea creatures.
Season: Late summer, early fall, early spring