Surf: General: A low-quality but reasonably consistent beachbreak in an otherwise surf-stoked but wave-starved area of South Carolina, Pawleys Island Pier will occasionally offer long, shreddable lefts when offshore winds cooperate with powerful NE swells, but it saves its best face for SE swells — the more tropical, the better. The Pier only works on a mid to incoming tide and shuts down after the surf gets a foot or two overhead. Most of the action is concentrated on the south side. The waves can be crumbly or dumpy, depending on conditions, but rarely epic. The continental shelf really has its way with these beaches. Tides: Mid to higher tides normally work best. Size: Rideable up to a bit overhead. Wind: West and Northwest. Swell: South and Southeast swells typically best. Bottom: Sand bottom. Paddling: Normally not bad when it is small but on a pumping hurricane swell it can take some work. Spot Rating: It is South Carolina so it isn't exactly a surf destination but on the right combination of swell, wind and tide it can get pretty good. Unfortunately, that doesn't happen often. Access: Lots of public access. Crowds: Crowd Factor: Can get crowded, especially during the summer months when there is surf. Local Vibe: Rude if you're rude. Environment: Not too bad. Hazards: Sand sharks and bluefish, but there have been few -- if any -- attacks. Season: Late summer and fall typically best but winter and spring can offer decent surf around frontal systems.