92°
Sunny
5%
74
Beaufort County, SC · Atlantic Ocean
Hilton Head Island
Coligny Beach Park, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Twelve miles of hard-packed Atlantic sand on a wooded barrier island — golf-cart-and-bike-path infrastructure, master-planned-resort character (Sea Pines, Palmetto Dunes, Forest Beach), the iconic red-and-white Harbour Town Lighthouse. Warm summer water and gentle surf make it one of the South's top family beach destinations.
Today's Conditions
Great day for a beach walk.
NWS alert active · 87°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 92. Heat index values as high as 105. South wind around 13 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 80. Heat index values as high as 105. Southwest wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
Weather
- 92°F air — hot — hydrate and seek shade
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 87°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
Safety
- UV 11 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
- NWS alert active — heat advisory issued july 18 at 2:11pm edt until july 18 at 8:00pm edt by nws charleston sc
55 /100
good
40 Swim
63 Sunbathe
78 Walk
45 Fish
76 Photo
Best for walking today
Weather alert in effect
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:11PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Charleston SC
Atmosphere
Air Temp
92°F
Mostly Clear
Wind
13 mph
S
Rain
5%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
11 Extreme
High 11 AM–04 PM · burn in ~18m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
93°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
87°F
Swimming weather
Wave Height
2.3 ft
SSE swell
Barometer
30.00 inHg
1016 hPa
Water Quality
Clean
10 MPN/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 7mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:28 AM
Sunset
8:29 PM
Moon · 18%
Waxing Crescent
Neap tides — smaller range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:35 AM | High | 8.2 ft |
| 6:40 AM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 1:00 PM | High | 7.7 ft |
| 7:00 PM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:23 AM | High | 7.8 ft |
| 7:27 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 1:52 PM | High | 7.6 ft |
| 7:51 PM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:13 AM | High | 7.3 ft |
| 8:15 AM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 2:45 PM | High | 7.4 ft |
| 8:43 PM | Low | 1.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:03 AM | High | 6.9 ft |
| 9:05 AM | Low | 0.9 ft |
| 3:37 PM | High | 7.2 ft |
| 9:37 PM | Low | 1.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:54 AM | High | 6.5 ft |
| 9:56 AM | Low | 1.1 ft |
| 4:30 PM | High | 7.1 ft |
| 10:31 PM | Low | 1.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:46 AM | High | 6.3 ft |
| 10:48 AM | Low | 1.2 ft |
| 5:25 PM | High | 7.0 ft |
| 11:24 PM | Low | 1.7 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:42 AM | High | 6.1 ft |
| 11:39 AM | Low | 1.3 ft |
| 6:23 PM | High | 7.0 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8667999, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
93°
Sunny
4%
72
92°
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
17%
37
91°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
34%
26
90°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
27%
31
89°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
67%
17
88°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
54%
25
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 11 — very high
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 13 mph wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 87°F
- critical Extra water / electrolytes 92°F - heat risk
- recommended Cooling towel or hat sustained heat
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Best Fishing Times Today
Solunar theory: fish activity peaks at moon transits (major) and moonrise/moonset (minor). All times local.
Minor
10:30 PM - 11:30 PM
Major
4:00 AM - 6:00 AM
Minor
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Major
4:10 PM - 6:10 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Public beach accesses with paid lots: Coligny Beach, Driessen Beach, Folly Field, Burke's Beach, Alder Lane. Resort/private accesses for guests of those resorts.
Dogs
Dogs prohibited on the beach 10 AM – 5 PM, April 1 – September 30. Leashed access otherwise.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
Coligny Beach Park, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Hilton Head Island today?
Hilton Head Island shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Hilton Head Island dog-friendly?
Dogs prohibited on the beach 10 AM – 5 PM, April 1 – September 30. Leashed access otherwise.
Is there an entry fee at Hilton Head Island?
Entry to Hilton Head Island is free.
Are there lifeguards at Hilton Head Island?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Hilton Head Island during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Hilton Head Island?
Amenities at Hilton Head Island include lifeguards at staffed accesses, restrooms, showers, restaurants nearby, bike paths.
When is the water warmest at Hilton Head Island?
Atlantic water temperatures peak in August. Northern beaches (ME, NH, MA) run cool — typically 60-68°F at the summer peak. Mid-Atlantic (NJ, DE, MD, VA) hits 74-76°F. The Carolinas and Florida Atlantic warm into the 80s and stay swimmable from May through October.
Where is Hilton Head Island located?
Hilton Head Island is in Beaufort County, SC, at Coligny Beach Park, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS