Surf Lessons in Folly Beach & Charleston, SC

Learn to surf with experienced local instructors on Folly Beach, with lessons also available on Isle of Palms and Kiawah Island.

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Surfboards Included

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Folly Beach, SC

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All Ages & Skill levels

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Daily Lessons

Private & Public options

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Surf Lesson Options

Choose the surf experience that fits you best and let’s go surfing!

PUBLIC LESSON

Social • Fun • Beginner Friendly

Learn to surf alongside other guests in a relaxed, judgment-free environment. Our instructors will cover water safety, proper technique, paddling, wave selection and the fundamentals you need to get up and riding.

Public lessons are open sessions, so other guests may join your lesson. It’s a great option for beginners, solo surfers, couples and families looking for professional instruction in a fun group setting.

PRIVATE LESSON

Your Group • Personalized • Fun

Enjoy a private surf experience built around you and your group. With no outside guests joining your lesson, our instructors can tailor the coaching to your experience, goals and ability.

Book one-on-one or bring your own group. Private lessons are ideal for first-time surfers, families, friends, or experienced surfers who want more personalized instruction and time with their instructor.

SURF WITH THE PRO

One-on-One • Pro Coaching

Take your surfing to the next level with former professional surfer and multiple-time East Coast champion Kyle Busey. This one-on-one session is built around your surfing, with personalized coaching in the water.

Work on technique, positioning, wave selection, ocean awareness and the specific areas that will help you progress. A unique opportunity for surfers looking for focused instruction and experienced feedback.

Available on Folly Beach only.

EARLY BIRD SURF

M-F Summers Only • 1 Hour

Already know how to surf but want some knowledgeable feedback? Early Bird Surf is a one-hour coached surf session for surfers who are already comfortable paddling out, catching waves and surfing independently.

There’s no land lesson or hands-on instruction—just paddle out with an experienced instructor and surf. Get real-time feedback on positioning, wave selection, technique and the things that can help you progress.

Available Monday–Friday during the summer.

Details & Itinerary

Your lesson starts with a quick beach introduction covering:

Water safety and ocean awareness
Entering the water safely
Proper pop-up technique and stance

Then it’s time to surf. Your instructor will provide personalized coaching covering:

Standing up and riding waves
Paddling technique
Wave timing and positioning
Wave selection
Surf etiquette and safety
Surfboard basics
Understanding how waves break

Where Do We Meet?

We Always Meet On The Beach

Folly Beach 1673 E Ashley Ave Public Beach Access

Isle of Palms 6th Ave East Public Beach Access

Kiawah Island Boardwalk 5 Beach Access

Schedule

Show up 10 minutes early to get ready
We start on the beach at 9am,10:45am, and 1:30pm(Kiawah only)
Lessons are 90minutes but we always end on a good wave

Best Times for This Excursion

The early surfer gets the wave, 9am is typically the best time! We highly recommend booking your lesson at the beginning of your trip incase of bad weather or if you get addicted and want to rent some boards for the rest of the week.

What You Should Bring

Show up in what you typically wear to the beach to get into the ocean aka boardshorts and bikinis. If you have a rashguard bring it along, we will provide if not.

What's the Student to Instructor Ratio?

For Beginners and small children we provide the industry best ratio of a 2:1 student to instructor ratio. If the students are more advanced we typically have a 3:1 student to instructor ratio.

What If I Never Surfed Before?

You came to the right place, we will start with the basics and get you riding waves in no time!

Are There Restrooms

There are no restrooms or changing rooms at the beach where we surf, but there is plenty of parking.

Where Do I Park?

Folly Beach has a paid parking lot and street parking.

Isle of Palms has street parking, show up early busy weekends parking is limited.

Kiawah is a private island and has a parking lot.

Why Should we Choose Carolina Salt?

We are very passionate about what we do, its our entire livelihoods. We are locals that grew up surfing these waves and love to share our knowledge with anyone who cares to listen, check out our About Us page for more background.

Why Folly Beach is the Premier Surf Destination in Charleston

Known affectionately as the “Edge of America,” Folly Beach stands as the undisputed surfing hub of the Charleston Lowcountry. Driven by consistent Atlantic swells, shifting sandbars, and a classic coastal surf culture, Folly offers rideable waves for every experience level. Conditions peak from late summer through winter, when hurricane swells and offshore north/northwest winds generate clean, well-shaped lines. The local breaks typically fire best around an incoming mid-to-high tide, which prevents waves from dumping into shallow sandbars.

For advanced surfers chasing fast, hollow peaks, The Washout—located along East Ashley Avenue—delivers the most powerful surf in the region thanks to uninterrupted wind flow across the narrow barrier island. Meanwhile, beginners and surf schools gravitate toward 3rd Block West, where gentler, rolling breaks and manageable currents create the ideal staging ground for lessons, warm-ups, and easy paddle-outs away from the heavy lineups.

When is the best time of year to surf Folly Beach?

The fall and winter months (August through February) offer the most consistent swell activity, driven by Atlantic tropical storms, nor’easters, and favorable offshore winds. Summer provides smaller, softer knee-to-waist-high peelers ideal for beginners and longboarders.

What tide is best for surfing at Folly?

Most breaks—including The Washout and 3rd Block West—work best on an incoming mid-to-high tide. A dead-low tide can cause waves to close out quickly in shallow water, while an extreme high tide can sometimes “swamp” the sandbars depending on swell angle.

Is Folly Beach beginner-friendly?

Yes. While spots like The Washout cater to seasoned surfers, beach access points like 3rd Block West and the mid-island groynes provide forgiving, crumbly whitewater and sandbar peelers that make learning safe and accessible.

Do I need a wetsuit?

Water temperatures reach the low 80s in the summer, requiring only boardshorts or a rash guard. In late fall and spring, a 2mm top or spring suit is recommended, while winter (December through March) calls for a 3/2mm or 4/3mm full wetsuit.

Taught By Experts

Carolina Salt is led by owner and former professional surfer Kyle Busey, whose experience and local surf knowledge shape every lesson we offer. Kyle personally selects and trains our instructors, so no matter who you paddle out with, you’re in experienced hands.

All Surfing Equipment Included

Just show up ready to surf—we provide everything you need for your lesson.

Surfboard • Rashguard • Seasonal Wetsuit • Free Photos When Conditions Allow

What Makes Us The Best

We’re Charleston locals with decades of experience surfing these waters. Every lesson is adapted to the day’s waves, tide and conditions, as well as your experience and goals.

We stand behind every lesson with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Our goal is simple: help you have an incredible time, catch waves and leave with a better understanding of surfing and the ocean.