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.

Skip the beach today.

Thunderstorms · 85°F water

Full NWS forecast for Today

A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Heat index values as high as 101. Southwest wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tonight

A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 8pm and 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 2am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 76. West wind 2 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Weather

  • 91°F air — hot — hydrate and seek shade
  • 39% rain — pop-up showers possible

Water

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

Safety

  • Thunderstorms — stay off the water when storms approach
skip
18 Swim
42 Sunbathe
16 Walk
33 Fish
27 Photo

Best for sunbathing today

Air Temp
91°F
Clear
Wind
6 to 10 mph
SW
Rain
39%
Today
UV Peak
9 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~22m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
86°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Water Temp
85°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
6:26 PM
6.4 ft · in 3.1h
Barometer
30.10 inHg
1019 hPa
Water Quality
Clean
93 MPN/100mL · E. coli
USGS · sampled 7mo ago

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 Jul 12, 2:53 PM

Sunrise
6:15 AM
Sunset
8:28 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Time Type Height
12:15 AM Low 0.1 ft
5:57 AM High 4.7 ft
12:04 PM Low -0.5 ft
6:26 PM High 6.4 ft

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

Today Jul 12
91°

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

39%
29
Mon Jul 13
86°

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

56%
27
Tue Jul 14
86°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

63%
23
Wed Jul 15
88°

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

30%
39
Thu Jul 16
90°

Sunny

6%
79
Fri Jul 17
91°

Sunny

11%
76
Sat Jul 18
89°

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

29%
35
  • critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 9 — very high
  • optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 85°F
  • optional Light cover-up, watch for pop-ups 39% rain chance
  • critical Extra water / electrolytes 91°F - heat risk

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
10:10 PM - 12:10 AM
Minor
3:30 AM - 4:30 AM
Major
10:40 AM - 12:40 PM
Minor
7:00 PM - 8:00 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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