88°
Sunny
2%
75
Charleston County, SC · Atlantic Ocean
Sullivan's Island Beach
Middle St, Sullivan's Island, SC 29482
Charleston's upmarket barrier island — Fort Moultrie at the south tip, Battery Gadsden, large historic cottages, and an enforced quiet beach scene (no music, no chairs left overnight, strict alcohol rules). The most polished of the Charleston-area beaches.
Today's Conditions
Great day for a beach walk.
NWS alert active · 86°F water · 88°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 88. Heat index values as high as 103. South wind around 17 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 83. Southwest wind 13 to 17 mph.
Weather
- 88°F air — ideal beach weather
- 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 — small craft advisory issued july 18 at 2:08pm edt until july 19 at 8:00pm edt by nws charleston sc
53 /100
ok
35 Swim
66 Sunbathe
80 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.
Small Craft Small Craft Advisory
Small Craft Advisory issued July 18 at 2:08PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Charleston SC
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...Southwest winds 15 to 20 kt with gusts up to 25 kt and seas 3 to 5 ft expected. * WHERE...South Santee River to Edisto Beach out 20 NM. * WHEN...From 8 PM this evening to 8 PM EDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
88°F
Clear
Wind
17 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
90°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 3mo 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
90°
Sunny
4%
68
89°
Sunny
9%
75
88°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
38%
23
88°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
40%
19
87°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
70%
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 17 mph wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 86°F
- critical Extra water / electrolytes 88°F - heat risk
- recommended Cooling towel or hat sustained heat
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
Free street parking only — limited spaces, no public lots. Bike from Charleston via the Ravenel Bridge if you can.
Dogs
May 1 – Sep 30: dogs allowed on the beach only 6 PM – 10 AM (off-leash 5 AM – 10 AM, on-leash 6 PM – 5 AM); prohibited 10 AM – 6 PM. Oct 1 – April 30: off-leash 5 AM – noon, on-leash noon – 5 AM. Town dog license required.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
Middle St, Sullivan's Island, SC 29482
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Sullivan's Island Beach today?
Sullivan's Island Beach 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 Sullivan's Island Beach dog-friendly?
May 1 – Sep 30: dogs allowed on the beach only 6 PM – 10 AM (off-leash 5 AM – 10 AM, on-leash 6 PM – 5 AM); prohibited 10 AM – 6 PM. Oct 1 – April 30: off-leash 5 AM – noon, on-leash noon – 5 AM. Town dog license required.
Is there an entry fee at Sullivan's Island Beach?
Entry to Sullivan's Island Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at Sullivan's Island Beach?
No lifeguards are stationed at Sullivan's Island Beach. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Sullivan's Island Beach?
Amenities at Sullivan's Island Beach include fort historic site, restaurants nearby, no restrooms on most of the beach.
When is the water warmest at Sullivan's Island Beach?
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 Sullivan's Island Beach located?
Sullivan's Island Beach is in Charleston County, SC, at Middle St, Sullivan's Island, SC 29482.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS