South Jetty is a surf spot located right after the Pawley's Island beach road, featuring a small public parking area. The waves tend to break both north and south of the jetty, making it a decent spot to catch some surf, especially when there’s an east-southeast hurricane swell. Access to the beach is pretty straightforward, with plenty of public access points available.
The surf here can be fun, handling swell sizes from about 3 to 6 feet (0.9 to 1.8 meters). You can expect mostly lefts and rights breaking over a sandy bottom, which is beginner-friendly but also challenges intermediate and expert surfers. Mid to high tide is where it’s at for this spot, and it works best with west or northwest winds. The peaks can be scattered, but on good days, it's a solid option that can outperform nearby beach breaks.
On busier days, expect a moderate crowd, especially when the conditions are right. The local vibe is generally chill, just remember to be polite to others in the lineup. South Jetty can be surfed with various board types, from shortboards to longboards, depending on the wave conditions. The best times to surf here are during late summer, early fall, and early spring.