Hilton Head Beach Water Temperature
Sea-surface temperature at Hilton Head Beach, South Carolina · times in EDT
Updated 4:00 AM EDT
How it compares today
Water temperature through the year
Monthly normals computed from 2023–2025 daily sea-surface temperature history.
Nearby water right now
7-day outlook
| Day | Air high / low | Max UV | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, Oct 13 | 79° / 67° | 6 | 0% |
| Wed, Oct 14 | 79° / 66° | 6 | 0% |
| Thu, Oct 15 | 84° / 67° | 6 | 0% |
| Fri, Oct 16 | 88° / 66° | 6 | 1% |
| Sat, Oct 17 | 73° / 60° | 6 | 2% |
| Sun, Oct 18 | 72° / 58° | 3 | 8% |
| Mon, Oct 19 | 76° / 61° | 5 | 14% |
Sea-surface temperature and wave data from the Open-Meteo marine model; weather from Open-Meteo.
Is Hilton Head Beach warm enough to swim?
At 78°F, the water at Hilton Head Beach is comfortable. Most swimmers are comfortable without a wetsuit above 72°F; below 62°F, cold-water shock becomes a real risk for unprotected swimmers.
That is 4° above the October average of 74°F here.
The water averages above 70°F in April, May, June, July, August, September and October — 7 months of the year — peaking around 87°F in July and dropping to about 53°F in January.
Frequently asked questions
How warm is the water at Hilton Head Beach right now?
The sea-surface temperature is about 78°F. That is 4° above the October average of 74°F here.
When is the water warm enough to swim at Hilton Head Beach?
The water averages above 70°F in April, May, June, July, August, September and October — 7 months of the year — peaking around 87°F in July and dropping to about 53°F in January.
What is the warmest the water gets at Hilton Head Beach?
Around 87°F in July, based on 2023–2025 records. The coolest month is January at roughly 53°F.