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.

Charters & Tours 5 Eats & Drinks 4

Skip the beach today.

Thunderstorms · NWS alert active · 85°F water

Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. East wind around 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tonight

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 9pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9pm and midnight, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between midnight and 2am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 79. Southeast wind 5 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Weather

  • 83°F air — ideal beach weather
  • 24% rain — pop-up showers possible
  • 18 mph wind — breezy — anchor everything

Water

  • 85°F water — warm — full-day swim weather

Safety

  • Thunderstorms — stay off the water when storms approach
  • NWS alert active — coastal flood advisory issued september 9 at 2:06pm edt until september 9 at 10:00pm edt by nws charleston sc
skip
0 Swim
51 Sunbathe
27 Walk
29 Photo

Best for sunbathing today

Water level 0.8 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.

NOAA station 8665530 · Observed 2.30 ft · Predicted 1.52 ft

Rip Currents Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued September 9 at 2:06PM EDT until September 9 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Charleston SC

NWS · In effect through Sep 9, 8:00 PM

Full NWS statement

* WHAT...For the High Rip Current Risk, dangerous rip currents. For the Coastal Flood Advisory, up to one half foot of inundation above ground level expected along shorelines and tidal waterways (7.2 to 7.4 feet Mean Lower Low Water at Charleston). * WHERE...Coastal Colleton and Charleston Counties. * WHEN...For the High Rip Current Risk, until 8 PM EDT this evening. For the Coastal Flood Advisory, from 6 PM to 10 PM EDT this evening. * IMPACTS...This could result in some roads becoming impassable. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...High tide will occur around 7:31 PM today at Charleston. Saltwater inundation will be possible 1 to 2 hours before and after high tide.

Coastal Flooding Coastal Flood Advisory

Coastal Flood Advisory issued September 9 at 2:06PM EDT until September 9 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Charleston SC

NWS · In effect through Sep 9, 10:00 PM

Full NWS statement

* WHAT...For the High Rip Current Risk, dangerous rip currents. For the Coastal Flood Advisory, up to one half foot of inundation above ground level expected along shorelines and tidal waterways (7.2 to 7.4 feet Mean Lower Low Water at Charleston). * WHERE...Coastal Colleton and Charleston Counties. * WHEN...For the High Rip Current Risk, until 8 PM EDT this evening. For the Coastal Flood Advisory, from 6 PM to 10 PM EDT this evening. * IMPACTS...This could result in some roads becoming impassable. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...High tide will occur around 7:31 PM today at Charleston. Saltwater inundation will be possible 1 to 2 hours before and after high tide.

Air Temp
83°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Wind
18 mph
E
Rain
24%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
9 Very High
High 12 PM–03 PM · burn in ~22m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
84°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Water Temp
85°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
7:31 PM
6.5 ft · in 14m
Barometer
30.24 inHg
Rising 0.8 hPa / 3h · buoy 41004
Sunrise
6:58 AM
Sunset
7:34 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Time Type Height
1:00 AM Low 0.4 ft
7:06 AM High 5.8 ft
1:09 PM Low -0.0 ft
7:31 PM High 6.5 ft

High/low predictions from NOAA station 8665530, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.

Today Sep 9
83°

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

24%
20
Thu Sep 10
84°

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

22%
45
Fri Sep 11
85°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

39%
33
Sat Sep 12
84°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

62%
21
Sun Sep 13
86°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

52%
28
Mon Sep 14
86°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

40%
35
Tue Sep 15
85°

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

38%
33
  • critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 9 — very high
  • optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 85°F

Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).

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

lifeguards at staffed accessesrestaurantsrestroomsshowersshops
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.

Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS

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