Hilton Head Island water temperature

Typically about 85° in August — bath-warm.

from the Fort Pulaski station at the Savannah River mouth, about 12 miles away

bath-warm

bath-warm 80° and up perfect 72–79° refreshing 65–71° brisk below 65° 85° typical for August

Twelve miles of sand flat and hard enough to bike on at low tide, and Lowcountry water that holds its summer warmth into October.

The year at a glance

Swimmable from May through October.

swimmable 40° 50° 60° 70° 80° 90° 86° 52° JFMAMJJASOND January: typically 52° — brisk February: typically 56° — brisk March: typically 62° — brisk April: typically 69° — refreshing May: typically 75° — perfect June: typically 81° — bath-warm July: typically 86° — bath-warm August: typically 85° — bath-warm September: typically 80° — bath-warm October: typically 73° — perfect November: typically 66° — refreshing December: typically 57° — brisk

Month by month

Month Typical Feels
January 52° brisk
February 56° brisk
March 62° brisk
April 69° refreshing
May 75° perfect
June 81° bath-warm
July 86° bath-warm
August 85° bath-warm
September 80° bath-warm
October 73° perfect
November 66° refreshing
December 57° brisk

About this reading

The Fort Pulaski station at the Savannah River mouth sits in an inlet; surf-zone water can run a few degrees off this reading.

Reading from the Fort Pulaski station at the Savannah River mouth, about 12 miles away.

Warm water says nothing about surf, rip currents, or bacteria — check local lifeguard flags and advisories.