Charleston tides today
- Tide now 0.4 ft ↑ rising · high 10:17 pm (5.6 ft)
- Best time tomorrow 4:30–5:30 pm good day · 7/10
- Beach tomorrow 1:00–6:00 pm Fair beach day · 5/10
- Waves · water 3.8 ft · 67 °F slight · 6.8 s from the east
- Wind · air 13 mph · 75 °F from the NE, gusts 22 · clear sky
- Sun 7:34 am–6:32 pm 10 h 58 min of daylight
- Moon 91% · 8:23 pm waning gibbous · rises at 8:23 pm
- Diving tomorrow 4:30–6:20 pm great day · 9/10
- Rip Current Statement: dangerous rip currents at the beaches: swimming is risky. Until 8:00 pm tomorrow. NWS Charleston SC
Today in Charleston there are high tides at 10:05 am (6.8 ft) and 10:17 pm (5.6 ft) and low tides at 3:40 am and 4:34 pm. Tide coefficient 83. Right now the tide is rising toward the high tide at 10:17 pm. The sun rises at 7:34 am and sets at 6:32 pm: 10 h 58 min of daylight. The moon is 91% illuminated (waning gibbous) and rises at 8:23 pm. Major solunar periods run from 1:55 am to 3:55 am and from 2:27 pm to 4:27 pm. The next spring tides arrive from October 26 to 28. The sea is slight, with 3.8 ft waves. There's a moderate breeze from the northeast (13 mph). Clear sky, 75 °F.
Fishing in Charleston today
Best time to fish
Solunar activity today: medium- Low tide at 3:40 am
- Major period 1:55–3:55 am
- Steady pressure (30.21 inHg), light offshore wind (4 mph) and some swell (3.2 ft waves) to stir the water
- Waning gibbous: a bit more activity than at the quarters
- Highest tide coefficient today: 83 (average tides)
Your day at a glance
The best window, 2:40 am to 4:00 am, combines the 3:40 am low tide, a major period and some swell. Also good from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, with the 10:05 am high tide, moonset and some swell. Also worth a try from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm, with the 4:34 pm low tide, a major period and some swell, though with moderate wind.
Species with the most records nearby: mahi-mahi, spot, spotted seatrout and summer flounder. What you can catch
Beach day in Charleston
Is it a beach day?
- Official statement: Rip Current Statement (NWS Charleston SC)
- Sunny
- Feels like 73 °F: mild
- Cross-shore breeze (11 mph)
- UV 5 (moderate): SPF 30 sunscreen
- Water at 67 °F (cool)
- Swim with care: 3.5 ft waves every 7 s; moderate rip current risk
Today, hour by hour
- Swimming Use care · 3.5 ft
3.5 ft waves every 7 s: swim with care and stay where you can stand. Moderate rip current risk. Always follow the lifeguard's flags.
- Water 67 °F
Cool: refreshing on a hot day.
- Sun & sunscreen UV 5 · SPF 30
Max UV 5 (moderate): SPF 30 sunscreen, reapplied every 2 hours.
- Wind 14 mph
Moderate cross-shore wind (14 mph).
- Tide & sand 3:40 am
Low tide at 3:40 am and 4:34 pm: that's when there's the most sand. High tide at 10:05 am and 10:17 pm.
The best window, 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm, brings sunshine and little wind, though with some waves.
We don't have data on jellyfish, sargassum or beach closures: ask the lifeguard or check with the local beach authority. How it works · The next 7 days
Beaches near Charleston
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Sunrise Park Beach 1.8 mi · SE
- Restrooms
- Parking
- Grice Beach 2.9 mi · SE
- Cummings Point 4.4 mi · SE
Water quality: check the official beach advisories for South Carolina (S.C. Beach Guide).
Named beaches within 6.2 mi, nearest first. Amenities from OpenStreetMap: some may be missing or out of date. View on OpenStreetMap · Add or fix on OpenStreetMap
Beaches and amenities: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Webcams near Charleston
Webcams provided by windy.com — add a webcam
Tides in Charleston
Today's high and low tides
- ▼ Low tide 3:40 am 0.0 ft
- ▲ High tide 10:05 am 6.8 ft · coef. 83
- ▼ Low tide 4:34 pm 0.3 ft
- ▲ Next high tide 10:17 pm 5.6 ft · coef. 82
↑ Rising The tide is rising. 5 h 22 min to high tide at 10:17 pm.
Tide coefficient 83 for the 10:05 am high tide and 82 for the 10:17 pm high tide. Average coefficient. The water rises and falls 6.8 ft between the highest high and the lowest low: a large range for this place. 70 is an average tide here; 90 and above means spring tides; below 45, neap tides. What is the tide coefficient?
2026 extremes: the highest tide of the year is on October 27 (6.8 ft) and the lowest, on December 25 (-1.1 ft).
Semidiurnal: two high and two low tides a day, of similar height.
Heights above mean lower low water (MLLW), the zero of US nautical charts. Astronomical prediction: wind and air pressure can raise or lower the water by a few inches, and more in a storm. Not for navigation. MLLW
Tide coefficient and range in October
The biggest tides of the month came from October 26 to 28 (coefficient 85, 6.8 ft range). The smallest, from October 17 to 19 (coefficient 47, 3.9 ft).
Tide and solunar table · this week
| Day | Sun | Tide 1 | Tide 2 | Tide 3 | Tide 4 | Coef. | Moon | Major periods | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today, Wed 28 | 7:34 am · 6:32 pm | Low tide 3:40 am · 0.0 ft | High tide 10:05 am · 6.8 ft | Low tide 4:34 pm · 0.3 ft | High tide 10:17 pm · 5.6 ft | Coef. 83 | 91% | Major periods 1:55 am · 2:27 pm | Medium |
| Thu 29 | 7:35 am · 6:31 pm | Low tide 4:30 am · 0.0 ft | High tide 11:01 am · 6.7 ft | Low tide 5:27 pm · 0.5 ft | High tide 11:15 pm · 5.4 ft | Coef. 80 | 84% | Major periods 2:59 am · 3:32 pm | Medium |
| Fri 30 | 7:36 am · 6:30 pm | Low tide 5:24 am · 0.2 ft | High tide 12:02 pm · 6.5 ft | Low tide 6:25 pm · 0.7 ft | — | Coef. 75 | 74% | Major periods 4:04 am · 4:35 pm | Medium |
| Sat 31 | 7:37 am · 6:30 pm | High tide 12:18 am · 5.3 ft | Low tide 6:23 am · 0.4 ft | High tide 1:08 pm · 6.3 ft | Low tide 7:26 pm · 0.8 ft | Coef. 73 | 63% | Major periods 5:06 am · 5:36 pm | Medium |
| Sun 1 | 6:38 am · 5:29 pm | High tide 1:25 am · 5.2 ft | Low tide 6:30 am · 0.6 ft | High tide 1:13 pm · 6.1 ft | Low tide 7:29 pm · 0.8 ft | Coef. 69 | Last quarter | Major periods 5:04 am · 5:31 pm | Medium |
| Mon 2 | 6:38 am · 5:28 pm | High tide 1:33 am · 5.3 ft | Low tide 7:39 am · 0.7 ft | High tide 2:15 pm · 6.0 ft | Low tide 8:28 pm · 0.7 ft | Coef. 68 | 41% | Major periods 5:57 am · 6:22 pm | Medium |
| Tue 3 | 6:39 am · 5:27 pm | High tide 2:37 am · 5.5 ft | Low tide 8:46 am · 0.7 ft | High tide 3:14 pm · 5.9 ft | Low tide 9:24 pm · 0.6 ft | Coef. 70 | 30% | Major periods 6:45 am · 7:09 pm | Medium |
▲ high tide · ▼ low tide · heights above MLLW. Major periods: start time; they last 2 hours. Activity: based on the moon phase and the solunar periods.
Where this tide comes from
Tides from the Charleston station (Customhouse Wharf, NOAA), 0.6 mi from Charleston. Times and heights are its predictions.
Station data attribution: Slackwater database (https://github.com/openwatersio/slackwater-database)
The sea at Charleston
Sea stateSea state: slight
The waves you may find
- Most commonMost common1.9 ft
- Significant3.8 ft
- Highest expectedHighest7.8 ft
One wave in seven is higher than the significant height, and about 3 times a day one reaches 7.8 ft. Before heading out, expect waves of up to 7.8 ft.
Wind on the coast and offshore
Cross-shore wind. The coast faces southeast and the wind blows along the shore: drift and current run parallel to the beach.
Wave height, next 7 daysWaves, next 7 days
Waves stay much the same all week. The biggest waves arrive on Wednesday 28: 3.9 ft with a period of 7 s, from the east (slight).
Water temperature
Water temperature →Water temperature changes how fish behave: in very cold or very warm water they feed less. The water warms over the next few days: about 69.8 °F by Tuesday 3.
Water colder than normal for late October (−4.5 °F).
Satellite: NASA MUR (JPL MUR MEaSUREs, PO.DAAC), doi:10.5067/GHGMR-4FJ04. Sources and licenses
Water temperature →Forecast from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) with models from ECMWF, NOAA, Météo-France, DWD, Copernicus Marine and CAMS. Updated at 4:55 pm (local time).
Nearest buoy
This is a real measurement of the sea, not a forecast. Data from stations 41065 and 41029, NOAA National Data Buoy Center (public domain).
Diving in Charleston today
Diving and snorkeling today
Likely visibility: good- Slack water around high tide (10:05 am): little current from 9:30 am to 10:40 am
- 3.1 ft swell at 7 s from the east-southeast: some surge on the bottom
- Light offshore wind (8 mph)
- 0.2 mph current toward the southeast, weak (model)
- Sun high: more light underwater
- Slack water today: low tide 3:40 am (3:20–4:00 am), high tide 10:05 am (9:30–10:40 am), low tide 4:34 pm (4:10–4:50 pm) and high tide 10:17 pm (9:40–11:00 pm)
- Likely visibility: good. Swell (up to 3.2 ft at 7 s) over the last few days has stirred up the water. Based on the last 24 hours of data.
- Water at 66.7 °F: a 5 mm wetsuit.
- Snorkeling: better not, with these waves, wind or current.
- Night dive: dark from 6:58 pm. Waning gibbous (91%), rising at 8:23 pm: a bright night.
Your diving day at a glance
The best window, 9:00 am to 11:30 am, combines slack water at high tide, light wind, weak current and the sun high, though with some swell.
Slack water comes from the tide: in inlets, channels and between islands the water can keep running for an hour or two after. Ask the local dive shop.
Never dive alone and check with the local dive shop: this rating is a guide, not a substitute for a professional.
Dive sites, wrecks and dive shops nearby
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Col. J. E. Sawyer 2.2 mi
- USS Housatonic 9.9 mi
- Wreck 2.1 mi
- Wreck 3.0 mi
- Wreck 3.6 mi
- Wreck 6.9 mi
- Charleston Coastal Anglers Reef 11 mi
- Charleston Community Reef 11 mi
- Carolina Dive Locker 4.5 mi
- Joe's Scuba 5.8 mi
- International Diving Institute 5.9 mi
- One More Chance Scuba 7.1 mi
Within 12 mi. Some may be missing or closed; marine reserves usually need a permit. Open the map on OpenStreetMap · Missing one? Add it to OpenStreetMap
Wreck and reef positions are approximate and not for navigation; a wreck’s depth runs from the top of the hull to the seabed.
Sites: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). US wrecks: NOAA electronic navigational charts (ENC), a U.S. Government work; not for navigation. Artificial reefs: NOAA and BOEM (MarineCadastre.gov), a U.S. Government work.
Weather in Charleston
Now in Charleston
- Low / high
- 53 / 75 °F
- Rain
- 0.00 in · 0%
- Clouds
- 2%
- Humidity
- 63%
- Dew pointDew point
- 61 °F
- Visibility
- 17 mi
- UV indexUV
- 1 · low
- Air qualityAir
- Good · 47
- Saharan dust
- No
Pressure and fishing
- ↗ RisingRising · now Anglers say fish bite less for a while
- → SteadySteady Anglers expect normal activity
- ↘ FallingFalling Anglers say fish feed more before the change
Rising now (+0.03 inHg in 3 hours). Over the next 48 hours: −0.07 inHg. Rising pressure: anglers say fish bite less for a while. Fast changes, either way, tend to affect fishing.
Today, hour by hourHour by hour
Bars: mean wind. Dashed line: gusts. Arrows point where the wind blows to.
| Time | 12:00 am | 3:00 am | 6:00 am | 9:00 am | 12:00 pm | 3:00 pm | 6:00 pm | 9:00 pm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sky | Clear | Clear | Clear | Mainly clear | Clear sky | Clear sky | Clear sky | Clear |
| Temperature | 55° | 53° | 54° | 59° | 70° | 75° | 72° | 66° |
| Wind (mph) | 3 NE | 4 NNE | 6 NNE | 7 NNE | 8 NE | 14 ENE | 11 NE | 9 NE |
| Gusts | 12 | 13 | 15 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 23 | 20 |
| Waves | 3.1 ft | 3.2 ft | 3.3 ft | 3.3 ft | 3.5 ft | 3.7 ft | 3.8 ft | 3.9 ft |
| Rain | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
- 6:00 pm 72° 11 NE 3.8 ft
- 9:00 pm 66° 9 NE 3.9 ft
- 12:00 am 65° 9 NE 3.9 ft
- 3:00 am 62° 7 NNE 3.9 ft
- 6:00 am 61° 7 NNE 3.9 ft
- 9:00 am 65° 10 NE 3.7 ft
- 12:00 pm 74° 12 NNE 3.6 ft
- 3:00 pm 77° 12 NE 3.5 ft
Next 14 daysComing days
| Day | Sky | Low / high | Max wind | Max wave | High tides |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today · 28 | 53 / 75 °F | 14 mph NE | 3.9 ft | 10:05 am · 10:17 pm | |
| Thu 29 | 61 / 77 °F | 12 mph NE | 3.9 ft | 11:01 am · 11:15 pm | |
| Fri 30 | 61 / 78 °F | 9 mph NE | 2.9 ft | 12:02 pm | |
| Sat 31 | 64 / 74 °F | 17 mph NE | 3.7 ft | 12:18 am · 1:08 pm | |
| Sun 1 | 63 / 73 °F | 18 mph ENE | 3.7 ft | 1:25 am · 1:13 pm | |
| Mon 2 | 64 / 73 °F | 17 mph NE | 3.7 ft | 1:33 am · 2:15 pm | |
| Tue 3 | 63 / 76 °F | 17 mph NE | 3.5 ft | 2:37 am · 3:14 pm | |
| Wed 4 | 64 / 76 °F | 14 mph ENE | 3.3 ft | 3:39 am · 4:09 pm | |
| Thu 5 | 64 / 75 °F | 11 mph SSE | 4.9 ft | 4:35 am · 5:00 pm | |
| Fri 6 | 60 / 73 °F | 9 mph SW | 4.9 ft | 5:25 am · 5:46 pm | |
| Sat 7 | 56 / 71 °F | 9 mph NNW | 3.0 ft | 6:10 am · 6:28 pm | |
| Sun 8 | 53 / 68 °F | 10 mph N | 2.3 ft | 6:51 am · 7:09 pm | |
| Mon 9 | 53 / 66 °F | 11 mph N | 2.5 ft | 7:31 am · 7:49 pm | |
| Tue 10 | 51 / 67 °F | 8 mph NNE | 2.0 ft | 8:08 am · 8:29 pm |
- Thu 29 Mainly clear 61° / 77° 3.9 ft
- Fri 30 Overcast 61° / 78° 2.9 ft
- Sat 31 Overcast 64° / 74° 3.7 ft
- Sun 1 Light drizzle 63° / 73° 3.7 ft
- Mon 2 Light drizzle 64° / 73° 3.7 ft
- Tue 3 Mainly clear 63° / 76° 3.5 ft
- Wed 4 Partly cloudy 64° / 76° 3.3 ft
Each day comes from the best model covering this spot: regional ones first (HRRR and NBM in the U.S., AROME, ICON-EU), then ECMWF; day 16, NOAA GFS. Waves: Météo-France up to day 10, then ECMWF WAM, coarser and further offshore. High tides: our own tide calculation.
- The models They agree · high confidence for the next few days. See the models →
- Outlook Next few weeks, compared with normal: a bit warmer and wetter. See the outlook →
- Normal Today, normal highs for late October (75 °F). Climate by month →
Forecast from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) with models from ECMWF, NOAA, Météo-France, DWD, Copernicus Marine and CAMS. Updated at 4:55 pm (local time).
The sun in Charleston
Sunrise and sunset
- First light 6:40 am
- Full dark 7:27 pm
- Civil dawn 7:09 am
- Civil dusk 6:58 pm
- Solar noon 1:03 pm (44° high)
- Daylight 10 h 58 min (−2 min)
- Evening golden hour 5:58 pm
- Full dark 7:27 pm
Golden hour and the day-night map
Today the sun is 92,354,438 mi away and looks 32′ 11″ across.
The moon in Charleston
Moon phase and position
Today the moon is 226,429 mi away and looks 32′ 47″ across.
Solunar periods
Today's activity: medium- 1:55–3:55 am Major · the moon passes overhead · high activity
- 2:27–4:27 pm Major · the moon passes underfoot · high activity
- 9:59–10:59 am Minor · moonset · medium activity
- 7:53–8:53 pm Minor · moonrise · medium activity
According to solunar theory, fish feed more when the moon passes overhead or underfoot (major periods, about 2 h) and when it rises or sets (minor periods, 1 h). It works best around new and full moon.
Upcoming moon phases
2026 moon calendar →- Last quarter Sun, Nov 1 · 3:29 pmNov 1 in 4 days
- New moon Mon, Nov 9 · 2:03 amNov 9 in 12 days
- First quarter Tue, Nov 17 · 6:48 amNov 17 in 20 days
- Full moon Tue, Nov 24 · 9:54 amNov 24 in 27 days
Perigee on October 28, 226,426 mi away, coinciding with the spring tides from October 26 to 28: they will be stronger than usual.
Where to fish in Charleston
Piers, ramps and tackle shops nearby
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Memorial Waterfront Park Pier 2.3 mi
- Waterfront Park Pier 0.5 mi
- Jetty 1.7 mi
- Jetty 1.7 mi
- Boat ramp 1.1 mi
- Boat ramp 1.7 mi
- Boat ramp 1.8 mi
- Carolina Yacht Club 0.5 mi
- Charleston Maritime Center 1.0 mi
- Haddrell's Point Tackle 2.5 mi
- Tight Line Outfitters 3.7 mi
- Site Fuel 0.3 mi
Within 9.3 mi. A spot may be missing or closed. Open the map on OpenStreetMap · Missing one? Add it to OpenStreetMap
Spots: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and Overture Maps.
Water depth
Gentle slopeThe bottom slopes gently: 16 ft deep 0.45 mi from shore and 33 ft at 0.7 mi.
From the shoreline (0.4 mi from Charleston) out to sea, heading southeast.
How far from shore
- 16 ft deep0.45 mi
- 33 ft deep0.7 mi
- 66 ft deepnot within 2.1 mi
- 164 ft deepnot within 2.1 mi
For fishing, swimming and diving
- Shore fishing. Shallow, gradual bottom (16 ft at 0.45 mi): cast far from the beach and fish the high tide, when there is more water close in.
- Swimming. A very gentle way in with plenty of shallow water, good for kids. At low tide the water can be far out.
- Diving. Shallow near shore: you only reach 33 ft at 0.7 mi. For dives deeper than 33 ft, go by boat.
Inside bays, estuaries and harbors the bottom changes a lot from spot to spot (channels and shoals): use this only as a rough guide. There is land ahead (an island, a headland or the far shore) 2.1 mi out. Where the bottom comes up to the surface there are shoals, rocks or an islet next to the profile.
Source: NOAA U.S. Coastal Relief Model (public domain), cells of about 300 ft; depth below mean sea level. For reference only: not for navigation or anchoring.
Nearest lighthouse
Castle Pinckney Light 1.3 mi east
- Built
- 1855
Other lighthouses nearby: Fort Ripley Shoal Light (1.9 mi east), Fort Sumter Range Lights (3.8 mi southeast).
Data from Wikidata. For reference only: not for navigation. Wikipedia · Wikidata · Sources and licenses
Tides near CharlestonTides nearby
- James Island4.0 mi
- Mount Pleasant4.3 mi
- Sullivans Island5.7 mi
- Isle of Palms8.0 mi
- Folly Beach8.4 mi
- Shell Point10 mi
- Kiawah Island15 mi
- Meggett18 mi
- Rockville19 mi
- Seabrook Island20 mi
Charleston at a glance
- Town or city of about 132,609 people. Coordinates: 32.776° N, 79.933° W.
- The nearest tide station, Charleston, is 0.6 mi to the northeast.
- Its coast faces southeast.
- Beaches and harbors nearby: Charleston City Marina (1.1 mi), The Harborage at Ashley Marina (1.4 mi), Charleston Harbor Marina (1.6 mi), Cooper River Marina (3.9 mi).
Questions about CharlestonQuestions
What time is high tide today in Charleston?
Today in Charleston there are high tides at 10:05 am (6.8 ft) and 10:17 pm (5.6 ft) and low tides at 3:40 am and 4:34 pm. Tide coefficient 83.
What time is sunset today in Charleston?
At 6:32 pm. There is light until the end of civil twilight, at 6:58 pm.
What time is sunrise tomorrow in Charleston?
At 7:35 am. First light comes at 6:41 am.
What phase is the moon today?
Waning gibbous, 91% illuminated. New moon on Mon, Nov 9 · 2:03 am.
When are the next spring tides?
From October 26 to 28, together with the lunar perigee: they will be stronger than usual.
What are today's solunar periods?
Major 1:55–3:55 am, Minor 9:59–10:59 am, Major 2:27–4:27 pm, Minor 7:53–8:53 pm. Today's activity is medium.
What's the weather like today in Charleston?
Mainly clear, from 53 °F to 75 °F, with a moderate breeze from the northeast (13 mph) and a 0% chance of rain.
How is the sea today in Charleston?
Slight (Douglas 3): 3.8 ft waves with a period of 6.8 s from the east. The water is 67.3 °F.
When is the best time to visit Charleston?
The best time to visit Charleston is from April to May and in October: highs of 76 °F to 83 °F, about 8 rainy days a month and 7 hours of sunshine a day.
Can I use this data for navigation?
No. These are predictions for fishing and leisure; for navigation, use the official publications.
Where this data comes from
Tide: NOAA station Charleston (Customhouse Wharf) (public domain), via Slackwater database. Sun and moon: our own calculation with astronomy-engine. Places: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Coastline: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).