Ocean Waves in NC versus SC
 

This may be a crazy question. Both times we have been to Hilton Head, SC, though
wonderful and beautiful, the ocean had no waves (very tiny ones). Is it always like that there? Would the Outer Banks have larger waves? Please don't think I'm an idiot, I just wondered if certain currents or geography may have something to do with it.
We're trying to plan a beach vacation in NC or SC, and the teens want waves!

The biggest single factor is weather, esp. weather out to sea. After that it's wind direction - on-shore or off-shore. After that, it's orientation of the beach (North-south vs. east-west, etc.).

All that said, my experience is that if you are going to have high surf at all in the Carolinas, you have a better shot further east on the Outer Banks (Rodanthe, Waves (n.b.!), Salvo, Avon, down to Hatteras)- the winds can pick up over Pamlico Sound if westerlies, or you can have a pretty strong "fetch" from the open ocean.

How funny........I didn't realize there was a town named Waves! Thanks so much for the advice! I guess Outer Banks it is!!!!

Surprisingly enough, Folly Beach just south of Charleston is one of the top surf spots on the Carolina coast line.

Really? Now I'm really confused!
Funny you mentioned Folly Beach.....we have Holiday Inn hotel points, and that was a location I've never heard of that I found on their website when I was originally trying to see what beaches were close to Charleston.

Do a google, and you'll see. Big plus is vicinity to Charleston of course.

All the surfers around here always head to Hatteras for the big waves.

Charleston's a great city, but for the record, the Outer Banks are considered the East Coast's best surfing location (second only to Oahu, San Diego, San Clemente, and Malibu, says USA Today (http://www.usatoday.com/travel/desti...-surfing_x.htm).

I can't cope with waves more than about 2 feet, but that's also what I've heard from a family friend who was national champ decades ago. He's OLD now, like us, but he goes out there every so often to ride.

I hate to mention it, but you haven't said what month you want to do this. I will only mention hurricane season because if there's one out to sea, the waves are incredible.

Wow, this has really been educational!
What about Virginia Beach area?

The Outer Banks is where the Gulf Stream meets the Labrador Current. That meeting of warm and cold water is why the OB is the "Graveyard of the Atlantic," and the wave action can be so strong. Go here for a quick graphic: http://www.oceanwanderers.com/NCarolina.html

cool!!!!