71°
Partly Sunny
0%
74
Charleston County, SC · Atlantic Ocean
Folly Beach
101 E Ashley Ave, Folly Beach, SC 29439
Charleston's beach — 15 minutes from downtown, scrappy-surfer character, the 1,049-foot Edwin S. Taylor Folly Beach Fishing Pier (rebuilt 2022), and the Washout, one of Charleston's premier surf breaks. Eclectic shops and seafood shacks on Center Street.
Today's Conditions
Great day for a beach walk.
69°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Partly sunny, with a high near 71. Northeast wind around 12 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. Northeast wind 8 to 13 mph.
Weather
- 71°F air — cool but workable
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 69°F water — swimmable, refreshing
74 /100
great
71 Swim
75 Sunbathe
82 Walk
71 Fish
78 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 4.5 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.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
71°F
Clear
Wind
12 mph
NE
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
Air Quality
54 Moderate
PM2.5 (fine particles) · Charleston
UV Peak
4 Moderate
Peaks 12 PM · burn in ~50m
Burn-free before 10 AM & after 03 PM
Tomorrow
66°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
69°F
Refreshing
Wave Height
3.0 ft
11s · E swell
Barometer
29.93 inHg
1014 hPa · buoy 41008
Water Quality
No recent sample
Last reading 4mo ago: clean
USGS · not a current condition
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:42 AM
Sunset
5:24 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:18 AM | High | 6.4 ft |
| 12:29 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 6:23 PM | High | 5.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:34 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 6:59 AM | High | 6.4 ft |
| 1:15 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 7:04 PM | High | 5.5 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:13 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 7:39 AM | High | 6.4 ft |
| 1:58 PM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 7:43 PM | High | 5.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:52 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 8:18 AM | High | 6.3 ft |
| 2:40 PM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 8:23 PM | High | 5.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:29 AM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 8:56 AM | High | 6.1 ft |
| 3:19 PM | Low | 0.8 ft |
| 9:02 PM | High | 5.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:05 AM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| 9:34 AM | High | 5.9 ft |
| 3:58 PM | Low | 1.0 ft |
| 9:42 PM | High | 4.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:41 AM | Low | 0.9 ft |
| 10:13 AM | High | 5.7 ft |
| 4:37 PM | Low | 1.1 ft |
| 10:23 PM | High | 4.7 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8665530, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
66°
Sunny
0%
69
71°
Sunny
0%
78
71°
Sunny
0%
78
71°
Mostly Sunny
1%
76
70°
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
15%
65
63°
Mostly Sunny
13%
52
What to Bring Today
- recommended SPF 30 sunscreen clear day + warm temps
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.
Major
9:30 PM - 11:30 PM
Minor
4:50 AM - 5:50 AM
Major
9:40 AM - 11:40 AM
Minor
3:50 PM - 4:50 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Paid public lots and metered street parking. Pier lot is the most popular.
Dogs
Dogs prohibited on the beach 10 AM – 6 PM, May 1 – September 30. On-leash only at all permitted times (no off-leash voice-control provision per Folly ordinance). Pier is always off-limits to dogs.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
101 E Ashley Ave, Folly Beach, SC 29439
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Folly Beach today?
Folly 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. 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 Folly Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs prohibited on the beach 10 AM – 6 PM, May 1 – September 30. On-leash only at all permitted times (no off-leash voice-control provision per Folly ordinance). Pier is always off-limits to dogs.
Is there an entry fee at Folly Beach?
Entry to Folly Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at Folly Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Folly Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Folly Beach?
Amenities at Folly Beach include lifeguards, pier, restaurants, shops, restrooms, surf school.
When is the water warmest at Folly 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 Folly Beach located?
Folly Beach is in Charleston County, SC, at 101 E Ashley Ave, Folly Beach, SC 29439.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS