70°
Mostly Sunny
0%
76
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.
78°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. North wind around 9 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. North wind around 7 mph.
Weather
- 70°F air — cool but workable
- Sunny skies — mostly sunny
Water
- 78°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
- 4.9ft waves — real surf — fun for confident swimmers, dicey for kids
76 /100
great
70 Swim
76 Sunbathe
82 Walk
74 Fish
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.5 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
70°F
Clear
Wind
9 mph
N
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
Air Quality
18 Good
PM2.5 (fine particles) · Myrtle Beach-Conway
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
78°F
Swimming weather
Wave Height
4.9 ft
10s · ESE swell
Barometer
29.93 inHg
1014 hPa · buoy 41013
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
6:40 AM
Sunset
5:19 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:41 AM | High | 6.1 ft |
| 12:01 PM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 5:53 PM | High | 5.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:08 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 6:24 AM | High | 6.2 ft |
| 12:45 PM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 6:35 PM | High | 5.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:47 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 7:04 AM | High | 6.2 ft |
| 1:26 PM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 7:15 PM | High | 5.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:25 AM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 7:42 AM | High | 6.1 ft |
| 2:06 PM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 7:53 PM | High | 4.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:03 AM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 8:20 AM | High | 5.9 ft |
| 2:45 PM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| 8:30 PM | High | 4.7 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:41 AM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| 8:59 AM | High | 5.7 ft |
| 3:25 PM | Low | 0.9 ft |
| 9:09 PM | High | 4.5 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:20 AM | Low | 0.9 ft |
| 9:42 AM | High | 5.4 ft |
| 4:06 PM | Low | 1.1 ft |
| 9:52 PM | High | 4.3 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8661070, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
66°
Sunny
0%
73
72°
Sunny
0%
79
72°
Sunny
0%
79
71°
Mostly Sunny
0%
78
70°
Mostly Sunny
9%
74
63°
Mostly Sunny
10%
63
What to Bring Today
- recommended SPF 30 sunscreen clear day + warm temps
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 78°F
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
9:20 PM - 11:20 PM
Minor
4:40 AM - 5:40 AM
Major
9:40 AM - 11:40 AM
Minor
3:50 PM - 4:50 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