North Island is a completely undeveloped, boat-access-only beachbreak on the island just north of Winyah Bay. It's a wild, beautiful spot, with shells, dunes, and a full maritime forest that make the effort of getting here worthwhile. Scattered peaks break over sand and offer both rights and lefts, and the island sits a little more exposed to swell than the areas to the north.
When It Works
The break draws swell from east to southeast (E-SE) and is usable from 0.9 m / 3 ft to 1.8 m / 6 ft. It works on most swells, though sand near Winyah Bay can block some south swells. Autumn is the prime season. The overall quality is modest, but the scattered peaks suit most types of surfers on most days.
Wind and Tide
Look for west (W) offshore wind, with a workable wind window running from west-southwest to west-northwest (WSW-WNW). It can work through low, mid, and high tide, with a rising tide generally the better call. The ends of the island tend to come alive from low to mid, while the central beachbreaks favour mid to high. Hard northeast or southwest winds can stir up strong currents, but paddling is usually pretty mellow.
Local Tips
This one suits intermediate and expert surfers, and it takes just about any board, from shortboard, funboard, and fish to longboard or SUP. Expect a quiet lineup that can feel a little reserved. Keep an eye on the currents if you surf too close to the river on a changing tide, as a lot of water moves through here. It's also sharkier than average, and with no one around to help if you get hurt, take precautions.
Access
Access is difficult and only possible by boat. Once you're there, though, you can surf anywhere along the island.
