72°
Partly Sunny
0%
81
Charleston County, SC · Atlantic Ocean
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.
Today's Conditions
Great day for a beach walk.
78°F water · 72°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Partly sunny, with a high near 72. Northeast wind around 8 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. Northeast wind 6 to 9 mph.
Weather
- 72°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 78°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
81 /100
great
81 Swim
80 Sunbathe
84 Walk
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 4.5 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
72°F
Clear
Wind
8 mph
NE
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
Air Quality
54 Moderate
PM2.5 (fine particles) · Charleston
UV Peak
4 Moderate
Peaks 12 PM · burn in ~50m
Burn-free before 10 AM & after 03 PM
Tomorrow
68°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
78°F
Swimming weather
Wave Height
3.0 ft
11s · E swell
Barometer
29.93 inHg
1014 hPa · buoy 41008
Water Quality
No recent sample
Last reading 5mo ago: clean
USGS · not a current condition
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:42 AM
Sunset
5:23 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:18 AM | High | 6.4 ft |
| 12:29 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 6:23 PM | High | 5.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:34 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 6:59 AM | High | 6.4 ft |
| 1:15 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 7:04 PM | High | 5.5 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:13 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 7:39 AM | High | 6.4 ft |
| 1:58 PM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 7:43 PM | High | 5.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:52 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 8:18 AM | High | 6.3 ft |
| 2:40 PM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 8:23 PM | High | 5.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:29 AM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 8:56 AM | High | 6.1 ft |
| 3:19 PM | Low | 0.8 ft |
| 9:02 PM | High | 5.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:05 AM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| 9:34 AM | High | 5.9 ft |
| 3:58 PM | Low | 1.0 ft |
| 9:42 PM | High | 4.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:41 AM | Low | 0.9 ft |
| 10:13 AM | High | 5.7 ft |
| 4:37 PM | Low | 1.1 ft |
| 10:23 PM | High | 4.7 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8665530, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
68°
Sunny
0%
77
73°
Sunny
0%
84
73°
Sunny
0%
84
73°
Mostly Sunny
1%
83
71°
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
15%
74
64°
Mostly Sunny
13%
62
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).
Beach Info
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
Amenities
Frequently Asked
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.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS