Hilton Head tides today
- Tide now 2.1 ft ↑ rising · high 11:04 pm (7.8 ft)
- Best time tomorrow 5:10–7:00 pm average day · 6/10
- Beach day 1:00–6:00 pm Fair beach day · 5/10
- Waves · water 3.2 ft · 68 °F slight · 6.4 s from the east
- Wind · air 12 mph · 69 °F from the ENE, gusts 31 · clear sky
- Sun 7:37 am–6:36 pm 11 h 0 min of daylight
- Moon 91% · 8:28 pm waning gibbous · rises at 8:28 pm
- Diving tomorrow 10:20 am–12:30 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
- Small Craft Advisory: winds or seas hazardous to small boats. Until Fri 30, 8:00 am. NWS Charleston SC
Today in Hilton Head there are high tides at 10:43 am (9.1 ft) and 11:04 pm (7.8 ft) and low tides at 4:25 am and 5:13 pm. Tide coefficient 83. Right now the tide is rising toward the high tide at 11:04 pm. The sun rises at 7:37 am and sets at 6:36 pm: 11 h 0 min of daylight. The moon is 91% illuminated (waning gibbous) and rises at 8:28 pm. Major solunar periods run from 1:59 am to 3:59 am and from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm. The next spring tides arrive from October 26 to 28. The sea is slight, with 3.2 ft waves. There's a gentle breeze from the east-northeast (12 mph). Clear sky, 69 °F.
Fishing in Hilton Head today
Best time to fish
Solunar activity today: medium- High tide at 10:43 am, coefficient 83
- Minor period 10:00–11:00 am (moonset)
- Steady pressure (30.24 inHg), light cross-shore wind (10 mph) and some swell (2.9 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, 10:00 am to 11:00 am, combines the 10:43 am high tide, moonset and some swell. Also good from 4:10 pm to 6:10 pm, with the 5:13 pm low tide, a major period, sunset, a light onshore breeze and some swell. Also good from 2:30 pm to 3:10 pm, with a major period, a light onshore breeze and some swell.
Species with the most records nearby: spot, bluefish, southern kingfish and southern flounder. October is one of the months when these are seen most: southern kingfish. What you can catch
Beach day in Hilton Head
Is it a beach day?
- Official statement: Rip Current Statement (NWS Charleston SC)
- Sunny
- Feels like 78 °F: pleasant
- Onshore breeze (12 mph)
- UV 6 (moderate): SPF 30 sunscreen
- Water at 68 °F (cool)
- Low tide at 5:13 pm: more sand
Today, hour by hour
- Swimming Use care · 3.2 ft
3.2 ft waves every 6 s: swim with care and stay where you can stand. High rip current risk (official statement in effect). If you're caught in a rip current, don't swim against it: swim parallel to shore and wave for help. Always follow the lifeguard's flags.
- Water 68 °F
Cool: refreshing on a hot day.
- Sun & sunscreen UV 6 · SPF 30
Max UV 6 (moderate): SPF 30 sunscreen, reapplied every 2 hours.
- Wind 12 mph
Onshore breeze (12 mph).
- Tide & sand 4:25 am
Low tide at 4:25 am and 5:13 pm: that's when there's the most sand. High tide at 10:43 am and 11:04 pm.
The best window, 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm, brings sunshine, pleasant temperatures, little wind and low tide at 5:13 pm, 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 Hilton Head
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Singleton Beach 3.7 mi · SE
- Burkes Beach 3.7 mi · SE
- Mitchelville Beach 4.3 mi · NE
- Restrooms
- Showers
- Parking
- Folly Field Beach 4.5 mi · E
- Restrooms
- Showers
- Parking
- Coligny Beach 4.6 mi · S
- Restrooms
- Showers
- Parking
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 Hilton Head
Webcams provided by windy.com — add a webcam
Tides in Hilton Head
Today's high and low tides
- ▼ Low tide 4:25 am -0.1 ft
- ▲ High tide 10:43 am 9.1 ft · coef. 83
- ▼ Low tide 5:13 pm 0.3 ft
- ▲ Next high tide 11:04 pm 7.8 ft · coef. 81
↑ Rising The tide is rising. 4 h 5 min to high tide at 11:04 pm.
Tide coefficient 83 for the 10:43 am high tide and 81 for the 11:04 pm high tide. Average coefficient. The water rises and falls 9.2 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 (9.2 ft) and the lowest, on December 25 (-1.4 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, 9.2 ft range). The smallest, from October 18 to 19 (coefficient 47, 5.4 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 | 7:37 am · 6:36 pm | Low tide 4:25 am · -0.1 ft | High tide 10:43 am · 9.1 ft | Low tide 5:13 pm · 0.3 ft | High tide 11:04 pm · 7.8 ft | Coef. 83 | 91% | Major periods 1:59 am · 2:30 pm | Medium |
| Thu 29 | 7:38 am · 6:35 pm | Low tide 5:15 am · 0.0 ft | High tide 11:38 am · 8.9 ft | Low tide 6:05 pm · 0.5 ft | — | Coef. 79 | 84% | Major periods 3:03 am · 3:35 pm | Medium |
| Fri 30 | 7:38 am · 6:35 pm | High tide 12:01 am · 7.6 ft | Low tide 6:08 am · 0.3 ft | High tide 12:40 pm · 8.7 ft | Low tide 7:01 pm · 0.7 ft | Coef. 77 | 74% | Major periods 4:07 am · 4:39 pm | Medium |
| Sat 31 | 7:39 am · 6:34 pm | High tide 1:05 am · 7.4 ft | Low tide 7:05 am · 0.6 ft | High tide 1:48 pm · 8.4 ft | Low tide 8:00 pm · 0.9 ft | Coef. 72 | 63% | Major periods 5:09 am · 5:39 pm | Medium |
| Sun 1 | 6:40 am · 5:33 pm | High tide 1:12 am · 7.3 ft | Low tide 7:09 am · 0.8 ft | High tide 1:54 pm · 8.3 ft | Low tide 8:03 pm · 1.0 ft | Coef. 69 | Last quarter | Major periods 5:07 am · 5:34 pm | Medium |
| Mon 2 | 6:41 am · 5:32 pm | High tide 2:17 am · 7.4 ft | Low tide 8:17 am · 1.0 ft | High tide 2:55 pm · 8.1 ft | Low tide 9:05 pm · 0.9 ft | Coef. 67 | 41% | Major periods 6:00 am · 6:25 pm | Medium |
| Tue 3 | 6:42 am · 5:31 pm | High tide 3:18 am · 7.6 ft | Low tide 9:26 am · 1.0 ft | High tide 3:54 pm · 8.0 ft | Low tide 10:04 pm · 0.7 ft | Coef. 69 | 30% | Major periods 6:49 am · 7:12 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 Skull Creek station (NOAA), 1.2 mi from Hilton Head. Times and heights are its predictions. It is a NOAA subordinate station: its times and heights come from the Fort Pulaski reference station with the official corrections.
Station data attribution: Slackwater database (https://github.com/openwatersio/slackwater-database)
The sea at Hilton Head
Sea stateSea state: slight
The waves you may find
- Most commonMost common1.6 ft
- Significant3.2 ft
- Highest expectedHighest6.6 ft
One wave in seven is higher than the significant height, and about 3 times a day one reaches 6.6 ft. Before heading out, expect waves of up to 6.6 ft.
Wind on the coast and offshore
Cross-onshore wind. The coast faces southeast and the wind comes in from the sea at an angle: a bit more surf at the shore and drift along the coast, toward land.
Wave height, next 7 daysWaves, next 7 days
Waves stay much the same all week. The biggest waves arrive on Sunday 1: 3.4 ft with a period of 5 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 70.2 °F by Tuesday 3.
Water colder than normal for late October (−4.3 °F).
Water temperature →Forecast from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) with models from ECMWF, NOAA, Météo-France, DWD, Copernicus Marine and CAMS. Updated at 6:59 pm (local time).
Nearest buoy
This is a real measurement of the sea, not a forecast. Data from stations 41067 and 41033, NOAA National Data Buoy Center (public domain).
Surf in Hilton Head today
Surf today
Fair- 1.8–2.8 ft surf at the shore, a fun size for most surfers
- 2.4 ft swell at 6 s from the east, short: weak, messy waves
- Light offshore wind (9 mph): it holds up and grooms the waves
- Rising tide (high tide at 10:43 am)
- Light: First light 7:12 am · sunrise 7:37 am · sunset 6:36 pm · last light 7:02 pm
- Tide: low 4:25 am (-0.1 ft), high 10:43 am (9.1 ft), low 5:13 pm (0.3 ft) and high 11:04 pm (7.8 ft). Every break has its own tide: some work at low tide and others at high tide. The tide doesn’t change the score here.
- Water at 67.5 °F: a springsuit or a 2 mm fullsuit.
- Energy: 41 kJ · Low power
Today’s surf at a glance
The best window, 10:00 am to 11:00 am, has a good size and light offshore wind, though with a short-period swell. 7:12 am to 9:00 am can also work, with a good size and light offshore wind, though with a short-period swell.
An estimate for this stretch of coast, not for a specific break: every beach or reef works its own way (its tide, bottom and angle). Check it when you get there.
Follow the flags and the lifeguards, and don’t paddle out if the surf is above your level: this score is a guide, not a substitute for what you see when you get there.
Diving in Hilton Head today
Diving and snorkeling today
Likely visibility: good- Slack water around high tide (10:43 am): little current from 10:10 am to 11:10 am
- 2.4 ft swell at 7 s from the east-southeast: some surge on the bottom
- Light cross-shore wind (10 mph)
- 0.2 mph current toward the east, weak (model)
- Sun high: more light underwater
- Slack water today: low tide 4:25 am (4:10–4:40 am), high tide 10:43 am (10:10–11:10 am), low tide 5:13 pm (4:58–5:30 pm) and high tide 11:04 pm (10:30–11:30 pm)
- Likely visibility: good. Swell (up to 2.4 ft at 7 s) over the last few days has stirred up the water. Based on the last 24 hours of data.
- Water at 67.5 °F: a 5 mm wetsuit.
- Snorkeling: doable, with some waves or wind.
- Night dive: dark from 7:02 pm. Waning gibbous (91%), rising at 8:28 pm: a bright night.
Your diving day at a glance
The best window, 9:50 am to 12:00 pm, combines slack water at high tide, light wind, weak current and the sun high. Also worth a look from 4:40 pm to 5:50 pm, with slack water at low tide and light wind, though with current.
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
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). Artificial reefs: NOAA and BOEM (MarineCadastre.gov), a U.S. Government work.
Weather in Hilton Head
Now in Hilton Head
- Low / high
- 56 / 76 °F
- Rain
- 0.00 in · 0%
- Clouds
- 6%
- Humidity
- 79%
- Dew pointDew point
- 62 °F
- Visibility
- 11 mi
- UV indexUV
- 0 · low
- Air qualityAir
- Good · 49
- Saharan dust
- No
Pressure and fishing
- ↗ RisingRising Anglers say fish bite less for a while
- → SteadySteady · now Anglers expect normal activity
- ↘ FallingFalling Anglers say fish feed more before the change
Steady now (+0.02 inHg in 3 hours). It barely changes over the next 48 hours. Steady pressure: anglers expect normal activity. 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 | Partly cloudy | Mainly clear | Clear sky | Clear |
| Temperature | 59° | 57° | 56° | 61° | 71° | 76° | 72° | 68° |
| Wind (mph) | 5 NNE | 5 NNE | 5 NNE | 8 NNE | 10 NE | 12 NE | 12 ENE | 10 NE |
| Gusts | 21 | 22 | 20 | 24 | 19 | 19 | 28 | 31 |
| Waves | 2.8 ft | 2.9 ft | 3.0 ft | 2.9 ft | 3.0 ft | 3.1 ft | 3.2 ft | 3.2 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° 12 ENE 3.2 ft
- 9:00 pm 68° 10 NE 3.2 ft
- 12:00 am 67° 9 NE 3.2 ft
- 3:00 am 64° 7 NNE 3.2 ft
- 6:00 am 63° 7 NNE 3.1 ft
- 9:00 am 66° 9 NE 3.1 ft
- 12:00 pm 77° 11 NE 2.9 ft
- 3:00 pm 76° 11 NE 2.7 ft
Next 14 daysComing days
| Day | Sky | Low / high | Max wind | Max wave | High tides |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today · 28 | 56 / 76 °F | 12 mph NE | 3.2 ft | 10:43 am · 11:04 pm | |
| Thu 29 | 62 / 77 °F | 13 mph NE | 3.3 ft | 11:38 am | |
| Fri 30 | 62 / 76 °F | 9 mph NE | 2.4 ft | 12:01 am · 12:40 pm | |
| Sat 31 | 64 / 74 °F | 18 mph NE | 3.3 ft | 1:05 am · 1:48 pm | |
| Sun 1 | 65 / 72 °F | 16 mph NE | 3.4 ft | 1:12 am · 1:54 pm | |
| Mon 2 | 65 / 73 °F | 17 mph NE | 3.2 ft | 2:17 am · 2:55 pm | |
| Tue 3 | 63 / 75 °F | 14 mph NNE | 3.0 ft | 3:18 am · 3:54 pm | |
| Wed 4 | 65 / 76 °F | 12 mph ENE | 2.8 ft | 4:18 am · 4:50 pm | |
| Thu 5 | 63 / 74 °F | 11 mph SSW | 3.8 ft | 5:14 am · 5:42 pm | |
| Fri 6 | 59 / 72 °F | 7 mph SW | 3.8 ft | 6:05 am · 6:30 pm | |
| Sat 7 | 55 / 70 °F | 6 mph NW | 3.2 ft | 6:51 am · 7:14 pm | |
| Sun 8 | 54 / 70 °F | 12 mph N | 3.1 ft | 7:32 am · 7:55 pm | |
| Mon 9 | 55 / 67 °F | 10 mph N | 3.2 ft | 8:12 am · 8:35 pm | |
| Tue 10 | 53 / 68 °F | 8 mph NNE | 2.6 ft | 8:49 am · 9:14 pm |
- Thu 29 Overcast 62° / 77° 3.3 ft
- Fri 30 Overcast 62° / 76° 2.4 ft
- Sat 31 Overcast 64° / 74° 3.3 ft
- Sun 1 Light drizzle 65° / 72° 3.4 ft
- Mon 2 Light drizzle 65° / 73° 3.2 ft
- Tue 3 Mainly clear 63° / 75° 3.0 ft
- Wed 4 Partly cloudy 65° / 76° 2.8 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.
- 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 6:59 pm (local time).
The sun in Hilton Head
Sunrise and sunset
- First light 6:43 am
- Full dark 7:30 pm
- Civil dawn 7:12 am
- Civil dusk 7:02 pm
- Solar noon 1:07 pm (45° high)
- Daylight 11 h 0 min (−2 min)
- Evening golden hour 6:03 pm
- Full dark 7:30 pm
Golden hour and the day-night map
Today the sun is 92,354,383 mi away and looks 32′ 11″ across.
The moon in Hilton Head
Moon phase and position
Today the moon is 226,429 mi away and looks 32′ 47″ across.
Solunar periods
Today's activity: medium- 1:59–3:59 am Major · the moon passes overhead · high activity
- 2:30–4:30 pm Major · the moon passes underfoot · high activity
- 10:00–11:00 am Minor · moonset · medium activity
- 7:58–8:58 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 Hilton Head
Piers, ramps and tackle shops nearby
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Boat ramp 1.7 mi
- C.C. Haigh, Jr. Boat Landing 2.2 mi
- Boat ramp 2.9 mi
- Boat ramp 3.1 mi
- Boat ramp 3.8 mi
- Hilton Head Harbor Marina 1.3 mi
- Windmill Harbour Marina 1.7 mi
- Palmetto Bay Marina 2.9 mi
- Wexford Harbour 3.2 mi
- West Marine 3.4 mi
- Southern Drawl Outfitters 3.6 mi
- Fuel dock 6.4 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
Shallow, gradualShallow, gradual bottom: 1.3 ft at 0.3 mi.
From the shoreline (2.3 mi from Hilton Head) out to sea, heading southeast.
How far from shore
- 16 ft deepnot within 0.3 mi
- 33 ft deepnot within 0.3 mi
- 66 ft deepnot within 0.3 mi
- 164 ft deepnot within 0.3 mi
For fishing, swimming and diving
- Shore fishing. Very shallow: the water doesn't reach 16 ft within 0.3 mi. Cast far from the beach, ideally around high tide.
- 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: the water doesn't reach 33 ft within 0.3 mi. For deeper dives, take a boat farther out.
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) 0.3 mi out.
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
Hilton Head Range Rear Light 3.7 mi south
- Light height
- 92 ft above sea level
- Tower height
- 89 ft
- Built
- 1879
Data from Wikidata. For reference only: not for navigation. Wikipedia · Wikidata · Sources and licenses
Tides near Hilton HeadTides nearby
- Hilton Head Island1.8 mi
- Bluffton6.5 mi
- Beaufort16 mi
- Tybee Island16 mi
- Savannah22 mi
- Isle of Hope24 mi
- Sandfly25 mi
- Vernonburg28 mi
- Montgomery29 mi
- Edisto Beach30 mi
Hilton Head at a glance
- Town or city of about 37,099 people. Coordinates: 32.216° N, 80.753° W.
- It is 61 mi southwest of Charleston, the main place in South Carolina. The sun rises 3 min later and sets 4 min later than in Charleston.
- The nearest tide station, Skull Creek, is 1.2 mi to the northwest.
- Its coast faces southeast.
- Beaches and harbors nearby: Broad Creek Marina (2.2 mi), Palmetto Bay Marina (2.9 mi), Singleton Beach (3.7 mi), Burkes Beach (3.7 mi).
Questions about Hilton HeadQuestions
What time is high tide today in Hilton Head?
Today in Hilton Head there are high tides at 10:43 am (9.1 ft) and 11:04 pm (7.8 ft) and low tides at 4:25 am and 5:13 pm. Tide coefficient 83.
What time is sunset today in Hilton Head?
At 6:36 pm. There is light until the end of civil twilight, at 7:02 pm.
What time is sunrise tomorrow in Hilton Head?
At 7:38 am. First light comes at 6:44 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 1:59–3:59 am, Minor 10:00–11:00 am, Major 2:30–4:30 pm, Minor 7:58–8:58 pm. Today's activity is medium.
What's the weather like today in Hilton Head?
Partly cloudy, from 56 °F to 76 °F, with a gentle breeze from the east-northeast (12 mph) and a 0% chance of rain.
How is the sea today in Hilton Head?
Slight (Douglas 3): 3.2 ft waves with a period of 6.4 s from the east. The water is 68.2 °F.
When is the best time to visit Hilton Head?
The best time to visit Hilton Head is from April to May and from October to November: highs of 70 °F to 83 °F, about 7 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 Skull Creek (public domain), via Slackwater database. Sun and moon: our own calculation with astronomy-engine. Places: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Coastline: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).