85°
Sunny
2%
76
Charleston County, SC · Atlantic Ocean
Isle of Palms
14th Ave, Isle of Palms, SC 29451
A seven-mile Charleston-area barrier island — wide, gradually-sloping beach with warmer water than the Lowcountry inland sound. Family-rental territory; the front-beach area near 14th Street has the bars and restaurants, the rest of the island is residential.
Today's Conditions
Great day for a beach walk.
NWS alert active · 86°F water · 85°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 85. South wind around 18 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 82. Southwest wind around 18 mph.
Weather
- 85°F air — ideal beach weather
- 18 mph wind — breezy — anchor everything
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 86°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
54 /100
ok
35 Swim
66 Sunbathe
81 Walk
76 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.6 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
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
85°F
Clear
Wind
18 mph
S
Rain
2%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
11 Extreme
High 11 AM–04 PM · burn in ~18m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
86°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
86°F
Swimming weather
Wave Height
3.3 ft
S swell
Barometer
30.01 inHg
1016 hPa
Water Quality
Clean
10 MPN/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 7mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:23 AM
Sunset
8:26 PM
Moon · 18%
Waxing Crescent
Neap tides — smaller range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:50 AM | Low | -0.3 ft |
| 12:13 PM | High | 5.4 ft |
| 6:07 PM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:21 AM | High | 5.6 ft |
| 6:37 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 1:06 PM | High | 5.4 ft |
| 7:03 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:08 AM | High | 5.2 ft |
| 7:25 AM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 1:58 PM | High | 5.4 ft |
| 8:01 PM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:55 AM | High | 4.9 ft |
| 8:12 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 2:48 PM | High | 5.3 ft |
| 8:59 PM | Low | 0.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:43 AM | High | 4.6 ft |
| 9:00 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 3:38 PM | High | 5.3 ft |
| 9:54 PM | Low | 1.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:32 AM | High | 4.4 ft |
| 9:47 AM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 4:28 PM | High | 5.4 ft |
| 10:48 PM | Low | 1.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:24 AM | High | 4.3 ft |
| 10:36 AM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 5:19 PM | High | 5.4 ft |
| 11:40 PM | Low | 0.9 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8665530, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
86°
Sunny
5%
70
86°
Sunny
10%
75
85°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
36%
23
88°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
41%
18
87°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
71%
14
86°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
57%
22
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 11 — very high
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 18 mph wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 86°F
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
Free street parking on most cross streets near the beach; paid municipal lot at front beach.
Dogs
Dogs allowed leashed year-round; off-leash with handler voice control permitted 5 AM – 9 AM April 1 – Sept 14, and 4 PM – 10 AM Sept 15 – March 31.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
14th Ave, Isle of Palms, SC 29451
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Isle of Palms today?
Isle of Palms 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 Isle of Palms dog-friendly?
Dogs allowed leashed year-round; off-leash with handler voice control permitted 5 AM – 9 AM April 1 – Sept 14, and 4 PM – 10 AM Sept 15 – March 31.
Is there an entry fee at Isle of Palms?
Entry to Isle of Palms is free.
Are there lifeguards at Isle of Palms?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Isle of Palms during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Isle of Palms?
Amenities at Isle of Palms include lifeguards at staffed accesses, restaurants, restrooms, showers, shops.
When is the water warmest at Isle of Palms?
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 Isle of Palms located?
Isle of Palms is in Charleston County, SC, at 14th Ave, Isle of Palms, SC 29451.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS