91°
Sunny
5%
74
Georgetown County, SC · Atlantic Ocean
Pawleys Island
323 Myrtle Avenue, Pawleys Island, SC 29585
One of the oldest summer resorts on the East Coast, Pawleys Island is a narrow 4-mile barrier island known for its weathered cypress cottages, salt-creek crabbing, and a famously laid-back "arrogantly shabby" character. Beach access is free at nine public points.
Today's Conditions
Great day for a beach walk.
NWS alert active · 86°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 91. Heat index values as high as 103. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 80. Heat index values as high as 100. Southwest wind 9 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Weather
- 91°F air — hot — hydrate and seek shade
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 86°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
Safety
- UV 10 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
- NWS alert active — small craft advisory issued july 18 at 2:32pm edt until july 19 at 11:00pm edt by nws wilmington nc
56 /100
good
36 Swim
64 Sunbathe
79 Walk
46 Fish
76 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.7 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.
Small Craft Small Craft Advisory
Small Craft Advisory issued July 18 at 2:32PM EDT until July 19 at 11:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...Southwest winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt expected. * WHERE...Northeast South Carolina coastal waters out 20 NM. * WHEN...From 4 PM this afternoon to 11 PM EDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
91°F
Clear
Wind
15 mph
S
Rain
5%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
10 Very High
High 11 AM–04 PM · burn in ~20m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
94°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
86°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
11:45 PM
5.3 ft · in 2.6h
Wave Height
3.3 ft
S swell
Barometer
30.01 inHg
1016 hPa
Water Quality
Clean
93 MPN/100mL · E. coli
USGS · sampled 7mo ago
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (AMZ256)
The ILM office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.
- NCZ106 Coastal Pender — Surf City and Topsail Beach n/a
- NCZ108 Coastal New Hanover — Wrightsville Beach, Masonboro Island, n/a
- NCZ110 Coastal Brunswick — Bald Head Island, Oak Island, Holden Beach, n/a
- SCZ054 Coastal Horry — Cherry Grove, North Myrtle Beach, n/a
- SCZ056 Coastal Georgetown — Murrells Inlet, Litchfield Beach, n/a
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:19 AM
Sunset
8:25 PM
Moon · 18%
Waxing Crescent
Neap tides — smaller range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:22 AM | Low | -0.3 ft |
| 11:34 AM | High | 5.3 ft |
| 5:34 PM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 11:45 PM | High | 5.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:07 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 12:30 PM | High | 5.3 ft |
| 6:27 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:38 AM | High | 4.9 ft |
| 6:52 AM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 1:24 PM | High | 5.2 ft |
| 7:22 PM | Low | 0.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:29 AM | High | 4.5 ft |
| 7:39 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 2:14 PM | High | 5.2 ft |
| 8:22 PM | Low | 1.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:19 AM | High | 4.2 ft |
| 8:29 AM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 3:04 PM | High | 5.1 ft |
| 9:25 PM | Low | 1.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:09 AM | High | 4.0 ft |
| 9:23 AM | Low | 0.8 ft |
| 3:53 PM | High | 5.1 ft |
| 10:25 PM | Low | 1.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:01 AM | High | 3.9 ft |
| 10:17 AM | Low | 0.8 ft |
| 4:44 PM | High | 5.1 ft |
| 11:16 PM | Low | 1.1 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8661070, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
94°
Sunny
10%
66
92°
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
15%
38
91°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
27%
30
88°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
32%
23
85°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
73%
18
84°
Rain Showers Likely
57%
53
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 10 — very high
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 15 mph wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 86°F
- critical Extra water / electrolytes 91°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
10:20 PM - 11:20 PM
Major
3:50 AM - 5:50 AM
Minor
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Major
4:10 PM - 6:10 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Free parking at all nine public beach accesses (~141 spaces total), with the largest lot in Georgetown County at the south end of Springs Avenue. Roadside parking allowed within 5 feet of pavement. No parking 11pm–6am.
Dogs
Dogs allowed year-round with leash in hand, under voice control, and waste cleanup. May 1 – September 30 between 8am and 8pm: dogs must be leashed at all times, including in the water.
Entry Fee
Free beach access and free parking
Address
323 Myrtle Avenue, Pawleys Island, SC 29585
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Pawleys Island today?
Pawleys 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. No lifeguards are on duty, so check the day's conditions and swim with caution. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Pawleys Island dog-friendly?
Dogs allowed year-round with leash in hand, under voice control, and waste cleanup. May 1 – September 30 between 8am and 8pm: dogs must be leashed at all times, including in the water.
Is there an entry fee at Pawleys Island?
Entry to Pawleys Island is free.
Are there lifeguards at Pawleys Island?
No lifeguards are stationed at Pawleys Island. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Pawleys Island?
Amenities at Pawleys Island include restrooms (at select accesses), showers (at select accesses), trash receptacles, dog waste bags, life rings.
When is the water warmest at Pawleys 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 Pawleys Island located?
Pawleys Island is in Georgetown County, SC, at 323 Myrtle Avenue, Pawleys Island, SC 29585.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS