Sullivan's Island Beach

Middle St, Sullivan's Island, SC 29482

Charleston's upmarket barrier island — Fort Moultrie at the south tip, Battery Gadsden, large historic cottages, and an enforced quiet beach scene (no music, no chairs left overnight, strict alcohol rules). The most polished of the Charleston-area beaches.

Eats & Drinks 10 Charters & Tours 2

Skip the beach today.

Thunderstorms · 85°F water · 84°F air

Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. East wind around 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tonight

A 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 between 4am and 5am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. Southeast wind 5 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Weather

  • 84°F air — ideal beach weather
  • 29% rain — pop-up showers possible

Water

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

Safety

  • Thunderstorms — stay off the water when storms approach
skip
23 Swim
50 Sunbathe
24 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

Air Temp
84°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Wind
17 mph
E
Rain
29%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
9 Very High
High 12 PM–03 PM · burn in ~22m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
85°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
6:59 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
84°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

29%
31
Thu Sep 10
85°

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

24%
44
Fri Sep 11
86°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

39%
33
Sat Sep 12
86°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

62%
20
Sun Sep 13
87°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

51%
28
Mon Sep 14
87°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

40%
34
Tue Sep 15
86°

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

39%
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 only — limited spaces, no public lots. Bike from Charleston via the Ravenel Bridge if you can.

Dogs

May 1 – Sep 30: dogs allowed on the beach only 6 PM – 10 AM (off-leash 5 AM – 10 AM, on-leash 6 PM – 5 AM); prohibited 10 AM – 6 PM. Oct 1 – April 30: off-leash 5 AM – noon, on-leash noon – 5 AM. Town dog license required.

Entry Fee

Free

Address

Middle St, Sullivan's Island, SC 29482

fort historic siterestaurants nearbyno restrooms on most of the beach
Is it safe to swim at Sullivan's Island Beach today?

Sullivan's Island 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. 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 Sullivan's Island Beach dog-friendly?

May 1 – Sep 30: dogs allowed on the beach only 6 PM – 10 AM (off-leash 5 AM – 10 AM, on-leash 6 PM – 5 AM); prohibited 10 AM – 6 PM. Oct 1 – April 30: off-leash 5 AM – noon, on-leash noon – 5 AM. Town dog license required.

Is there an entry fee at Sullivan's Island Beach?

Entry to Sullivan's Island Beach is free.

Are there lifeguards at Sullivan's Island Beach?

No lifeguards are stationed at Sullivan's Island Beach. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.

What amenities are at Sullivan's Island Beach?

Amenities at Sullivan's Island Beach include fort historic site, restaurants nearby, no restrooms on most of the beach.

When is the water warmest at Sullivan's Island 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 Sullivan's Island Beach located?

Sullivan's Island Beach is in Charleston County, SC, at Middle St, Sullivan's Island, SC 29482.

Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS

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