Sullivan's Island / The Lighthouse, South Carolina (USA)
Sullivan's Island / The Lighthouse, South Carolina (USA) is a Shallow, Flat, Chop and Small waves spot. It is a kitesurfing spot for riders of Any Level.
Recommended wind for kitesurfing is wind coming from S .
There is Food available on the spot.
Have fun after the ride: enjoy Nightlife close to Sullivan's Island / The Lighthouse, South Carolina (USA) !
The spot presents a few things you need to be careful about. Please refer to the Riding Conditions section below.
Sullivan's Island / The Lighthouse, South Carolina (USA) is a Shallow, Flat, Chop and Small waves spot. It is a kitesurfing spot for riders of Any Level.
Recommended wind for kitesurfing is wind coming from S .
There is Food available on the spot.
Have fun after the ride: enjoy Nightlife close to Sullivan's Island / The Lighthouse, South Carolina (USA) !
The spot presents a few things you need to be careful about. Please refer to the Riding Conditions section below.
How to get there
From Charleston International airport Sullivan's Island is an easy 20-30 minute drive. Once leaving the airport take 526 heading towards Mt. Pleasant. 526 deadends on to Ben Sawyer Blvd. Ben Sawyer will take you across the salt marsh to the wing bridge over the intercoastal waterway. On the other side is Sullivan's Island. The bridge is active and opens on each hour on the hour on the weekends. If caught by the bridge, you'll have about 15 minutes to scope out the marsh. Once on Sullivan's Island, keep going straight until you reach a stop sign. Take a right here onto Middle St. Take a left onto Station 19. Up and down Station 19 is parking. Be sure to only park in designated areas. The beach access path is located at the end of station 19.
Nearest Airports
Distance
30km from spot
570km from spot
380km from spot
How to get there
How to get there
From Charleston International airport Sullivan's Island is an easy 20-30 minute drive. Once leaving the airport take 526 heading towards Mt. Pleasant. 526 deadends on to Ben Sawyer Blvd. Ben Sawyer will take you across the salt marsh to the wing bridge over the intercoastal waterway. On the other side is Sullivan's Island. The bridge is active and opens on each hour on the hour on the weekends. If caught by the bridge, you'll have about 15 minutes to scope out the marsh. Once on Sullivan's Island, keep going straight until you reach a stop sign. Take a right here onto Middle St. Take a left onto Station 19. Up and down Station 19 is parking. Be sure to only park in designated areas. The beach access path is located at the end of station 19.
Nearest Airports
Distance
30km from spot
570km from spot
380km from spot
Best Schools in South Carolina
Riding Conditions in Sullivan's Island / The Lighthouse, South Carolina (USA)
Riding Conditions
Wind and Weather Conditions
In Charleston, surfing is a year round sport. Spring waters start warming in March and wetsuits soon disappear. Summer waters hit the mid-high 80's°F and stay warm till October. Fall/winter water temps drop toward Thanksgiving average in the 50's°F. Typically, you can get away with only very minimal warmth protection for 7-8 months of the year. Winter temps average low 50's°F and many kiters just wear a full 3mm wetsuit. However, certain fronts may change currents and waters have been in the mid-lower 40's°F on occasion (January to February). Spring suits are in fashion usually by the end of April (sometimes earlier), skin no later than mid May, and back into shorties by October. The really thick rubber (4/3), booties, gloves and hoods don't usually come out until December through February, but it varies.
Recommended wind for kitesurfing is wind coming from S .
There is Thermal and Frontal wind at Sullivan's Island / The Lighthouse, South Carolina (USA).
Predicting wind is tricky; a lot of our kiteable wind comes in unpredicted spurts and thermals that may only last a couple of hours and then immediately shut off. When the water reaches a certain temperature during the early spring, late fall, and throughout winter, Southwest winds have a hard time reaching the beaches. It is not uncommon for the offshore forecasts to predict 20-25 knots of Southwest wind in conjunction with a warm front (ie thermal) and weather system. If the weather system is particularly strong and not accompanied by a lot of moisture, you may actually have that much wind at the beach. More often, the Southwest wind brings up the Southern moisture from Florida, as well as the warmer (and welcomed) temperatures. At the right time of the year this just feeds the thermals and makes for some great ocean riding. Other times (like the early spring, late fall, and winter), the cold water causes a large layer of moisture to develop along the beaches. This layer of moisture seems to block the onshore South to Southwest wind and turns a 20-25 knot beach forecast into a 10 knot day at best. For long range frontal forecasts, follow the frontal boundaries and isobars. But there are a lot of days that happen based more on local weather, rather than large area fronts (i.e., thermals or the lack thereof).
Wind usually blows from S on the spot.
The best moments to come to Sullivan's Island / The Lighthouse, South Carolina (USA) are April and May .
Wind and Weather Conditions
Wind and Weather Conditions
In Charleston, surfing is a year round sport. Spring waters start warming in March and wetsuits soon disappear. Summer waters hit the mid-high 80's°F and stay warm till October. Fall/winter water temps drop toward Thanksgiving average in the 50's°F. Typically, you can get away with only very minimal warmth protection for 7-8 months of the year. Winter temps average low 50's°F and many kiters just wear a full 3mm wetsuit. However, certain fronts may change currents and waters have been in the mid-lower 40's°F on occasion (January to February). Spring suits are in fashion usually by the end of April (sometimes earlier), skin no later than mid May, and back into shorties by October. The really thick rubber (4/3), booties, gloves and hoods don't usually come out until December through February, but it varies.
Recommended wind for kitesurfing is wind coming from S .
There is Thermal and Frontal wind at Sullivan's Island / The Lighthouse, South Carolina (USA).
Predicting wind is tricky; a lot of our kiteable wind comes in unpredicted spurts and thermals that may only last a couple of hours and then immediately shut off. When the water reaches a certain temperature during the early spring, late fall, and throughout winter, Southwest winds have a hard time reaching the beaches. It is not uncommon for the offshore forecasts to predict 20-25 knots of Southwest wind in conjunction with a warm front (ie thermal) and weather system. If the weather system is particularly strong and not accompanied by a lot of moisture, you may actually have that much wind at the beach. More often, the Southwest wind brings up the Southern moisture from Florida, as well as the warmer (and welcomed) temperatures. At the right time of the year this just feeds the thermals and makes for some great ocean riding. Other times (like the early spring, late fall, and winter), the cold water causes a large layer of moisture to develop along the beaches. This layer of moisture seems to block the onshore South to Southwest wind and turns a 20-25 knot beach forecast into a 10 knot day at best. For long range frontal forecasts, follow the frontal boundaries and isobars. But there are a lot of days that happen based more on local weather, rather than large area fronts (i.e., thermals or the lack thereof).
Wind usually blows from S on the spot.
The best moments to come to Sullivan's Island / The Lighthouse, South Carolina (USA) are April and May .
Beach and Tide Conditions
Sullivan's Island / The Lighthouse, South Carolina (USA) is a Shallow, Flat, Chop and Small waves spot.
A rock jetty exists that often becomes submerged at high tide. Stay away from the south side of the jetty (the right side as you face the ocean) as objects (metal and cement) have started to surface with sand erosion. This endangers both kiteboarders and swimmers. There is plenty of room to set up and launch a kite, but watch out for in soft sands near the dunes. They can be laden with large sand burs and death starrs, small thorny potato like cacti.
Depending on tide and season, the lighthouse can bring mild chop on an outgoing tide or some fun waves on set of high tide. Currents can become strong at times and may work in your favor if opposing the wind direction. To the North is a sandbar, which can bring some awesome wave action on the outside, and a bath like slick on the inside. Moon jellyfish are common during spring and summer. Be sure to have protection (jelly lotion or water pants) to avoid irritating stings.
Beach and Tide Conditions
Beach and Tide Conditions
Sullivan's Island / The Lighthouse, South Carolina (USA) is a Shallow, Flat, Chop and Small waves spot.
A rock jetty exists that often becomes submerged at high tide. Stay away from the south side of the jetty (the right side as you face the ocean) as objects (metal and cement) have started to surface with sand erosion. This endangers both kiteboarders and swimmers. There is plenty of room to set up and launch a kite, but watch out for in soft sands near the dunes. They can be laden with large sand burs and death starrs, small thorny potato like cacti.
Depending on tide and season, the lighthouse can bring mild chop on an outgoing tide or some fun waves on set of high tide. Currents can become strong at times and may work in your favor if opposing the wind direction. To the North is a sandbar, which can bring some awesome wave action on the outside, and a bath like slick on the inside. Moon jellyfish are common during spring and summer. Be sure to have protection (jelly lotion or water pants) to avoid irritating stings.
Need to know
When you are on water,
be careful
of
Animals, Currents and Wavebreakers
.
Beach risk reported:
Concrete
.
There are riding zones on the spot, be sure you respect them.
Need to know
Need to know
When you are on water,
be careful
of
Animals, Currents and Wavebreakers
.
Beach risk reported:
Concrete
.
There are riding zones on the spot, be sure you respect them.
Best Schools in South Carolina
Additional information
We don’t know if a parking is available at Sullivan's Island / The Lighthouse, South Carolina (USA).
There is Food available on the spot
The Sullivan's Island Water Craft Ordinance permits the launching and landing of all water craft, including kiteboarders ONLY in designated areas. The official boundaries for The Lighthouse are between the rocks near Station 19 and Station 21 (AKA 19 and 21 avenue). From Memorial Day - Labor day, all kiteboarders must stay at least 100 yards from the waters edge once through the launch zone.
Webcams around Sullivan's Island / The Lighthouse, South Carolina (USA)
Webcams around Sullivan's Island / The Lighthouse, South Carolina (USA)
Weather Forecast for the next 10days
6.8 knotsCharleston, United States 10:36:23 pm, GMT-4 Model: gfs27_long, updated 26 minutes ago | 4043 |
3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
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Waves period (s) |
Tides (m) |
TODAY | TOMORROW | SAT, APR 5 | SUN, APR 6 | MON, APR 7 | TUE, APR 8 | WED, APR 9 | THU, APR 10 | FRI, APR 11 | SAT, APR 12 | SUN, APR 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
20 | 23 | 02 | 05 | 08 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 20 | 23 | 02 | 05 | 08 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 20 | 23 | 02 | 05 | 08 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 20 | 23 | 02 | 05 | 08 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 20 | 23 | 02 | 05 | 08 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 20 | 23 | 02 | 05 | 08 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 20 | 23 | 02 | 05 | 08 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 20 | 23 | 02 | 05 | 08 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 20 | 23 | 02 | 05 | 08 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 20 | 23 | 02 | 05 | 08 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 20 |
↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ |
6.8 | 11 | 10 | 8.7 | 8.1 | 9.7 | 9.5 | 8.9 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 9.9 | 7.8 | 6.6 | 9.1 | 10 | 11 | 8.5 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 6.0 | 9.9 | 5.8 | 5.2 | 7.6 | 8.0 | 9.5 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 9.1 | 6.4 | 4.5 | 6.0 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 7.2 | 3.5 | 8.3 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 7.2 | 9.9 | 8.0 | 8.5 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 7.4 | 5.6 | 6.8 | 4.5 |
12 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 19 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 25 | 24 | 30 | 32 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 34 | 26 | 27 | 19 | 21 | 16 | 19 | 12 | 7.6 | 9.7 | 7.8 | 7.6 | 9.1 | 9.3 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 8.1 | 5.0 | 9.1 | 22 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 22 | 23 | 17 | 15 | 9.9 | 7.8 | 8.5 | 15 | 17 | 24 | 29 | 27 | 16 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 20 | 17 | 14 | 8.3 | 6.4 | 6.4 | 5.0 |
21° | 20° | 20° | 19° | 20° | 21° | 22° | 21° | 20° | 19° | 19° | 19° | 19° | 21° | 22° | 22° | 20° | 20° | 20° | 20° | 20° | 21° | 22° | 21° | 20° | 20° | 20° | 20° | 20° | 21° | 21° | 18° | 15° | 15° | 14° | 13° | 12° | 15° | 17° | 17° | 16° | 16° | 15° | 15° | 15° | 18° | 18° | 18° | 17° | 17° | 17° | 16° | 16° | 19° | 20° | 20° | 17° | 13° | 11° | 8.6° | 7.9° | 11° | 16° | 16° | 14° | 14° | 15° | 15° | 15° | 17° | 21° | 22° | 20° | 17° | 15° | 13° | 12° | 15° | 17° | 17° | 16° |
↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ||||||||
1.0 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
5s | 5s | 6s | 5s | 5s | 5s | 5s | 6s | 6s | 5s | 6s | 5s | 4s | 4s | 6s | 6s | 4s | 6s | 6s | 5s | 6s | 6s | 6s | 6s | 6s | 7s | 6s | 6s | 6s | 6s | 6s | 6s | 5s | 5s | 5s | 5s | 6s | 6s | 6s | 6s | 6s | 6s | 6s | 5s | 5s | 5s | 5s | 5s | 4s | 4s | 4s | 4s | 4s | 4s | 4s | 4s | 4s | 4s | 4s | 4s | 4s | 5s | 4s | 5s | 5s | 5s | 5s | 7s | 6s | 7s | 7s | 7s | 7s | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
18:50 -0.8m
1:20 0.9m
7:50 -0.7m
13:50 0.5m
19:55 -0.7m
2:25 0.8m
9:00 -0.6m
14:55 0.5m
21:05 -0.6m
3:35 0.8m
10:00 -0.6m
16:10 0.5m
22:15 -0.6m
4:35 0.7m
10:55 -0.7m
17:05 0.6m
23:15 -0.7m
5:30 0.7m
11:45 -0.7m
17:55 0.7m
0:05 -0.7m
6:20 0.7m
12:30 -0.7m
18:45 0.7m
0:50 -0.7m
7:00 0.7m
13:10 -0.7m
19:25 0.8m
1:35 -0.7m
7:40 0.7m
13:45 -0.8m
20:00 0.8m
2:15 -0.8m
8:15 0.7m
14:15 -0.8m
20:35 0.9m
2:50 -0.8m
8:55 0.6m
Wind and Temperature over the past years
Wind and Temperature over the past years
N
E
S
W
8-1212-1717-2323-3535+ knots
- All
- 2012
- 2013
- 2014
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
- 2023
- 2024
Jan
80
60
40
20
%
80
60
40
20
%
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
13°15°17°21°25°28°29°28°26°22°17°15°9°11°14°17°21°25°26°26°24°19°13°11°
nightMore about Kitesurfing in South Carolina
More about South Carolina
Wind stats in South Carolina...
Month | % of Windy Days (more than 15kts) |
---|---|
Jan | 29 |
Feb | 35 |
Mar | 37 |
Apr | 40 |
May | 42 |
Jun | 40 |
Jul | 40 |
Aug | 36 |
Sep | 39 |
Oct | 36 |
Nov | 36 |
Dec | 29 |
% of Windy Days (more than 15kts)
Additional information
There are 3 kitesurf schools and 6 kitesurf spots in South Carolina.
Best months: March April May June July August September October
Best months: March April May June July August September October
Accomodation around the spot
Sullivan's Island / The Lighthouse, South Carolina (USA)













