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.

Eats & Drinks 14 Stay 9 Charters & Tours 2

Ideal for a beach walk.

84°F air

Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon

Sunny, with a high near 84. East wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 17 mph.

Tonight

Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Southeast wind 2 to 9 mph.

Weather

  • 84°F air — ideal beach weather
  • Sunny skies — clear conditions
78 /100
great
81 Sunbathe
86 Walk
72 Fish
82 Photo

Best for walking 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 8661070 · Observed 2.71 ft · Predicted 1.93 ft

Air Temp
84°F
Sunny
Wind
10 mph
E
Rain
1%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
9 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~22m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
85°F
Chance Rain Showers
Water Temp
Barometer
30.24 inHg
Rising 0.8 hPa / 3h · buoy 41004

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

NWS SRF · ILM · Issued Sep 9, 11:59 AM

Sunrise
6:56 AM
Sunset
7:32 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Time Type Height
12:39 AM Low 0.3 ft
6:31 AM High 5.7 ft
12:41 PM Low -0.0 ft
6:53 PM High 6.3 ft

High/low predictions from NOAA station 8661070, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.

Today Sep 9
84°

Sunny

1%
78
Thu Sep 10
85°

Chance Rain Showers

27%
69
Fri Sep 11
87°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

47%
26
Sat Sep 12
85°

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

64%
19
Sun Sep 13
85°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

52%
25
Mon Sep 14
85°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

42%
29
Tue Sep 15
84°

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

31%
34
  • critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 9 — very high

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

Solunar theory: fish activity peaks at moon transits (major) and moonrise/moonset (minor). All times local.

Major
10:50 PM - 12:50 AM
Minor
4:50 AM - 5:50 AM
Major
11:10 AM - 1:10 PM
Minor
6:20 PM - 7:20 PM

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

restrooms (at select accesses)showers (at select accesses)trash receptaclesdog waste bagslife rings
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.

Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS

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