Water temperature in Hilton Head
Sea surface temperature · updated today, Thursday, October 29, at 1:05 am (EDT)- Today
- 67.8–68.5 °F
- Air today
- 63 / 79 °F
- Wed 4
- 71.2 °F
- Wetsuit
- Shorty (springsuit)
Today the water in Hilton Head is 68.0 °F and ranges 67.8–68.5 °F through the day, with the air between 63 °F and 79 °F. It warms over the next few days: about 71.2 °F by Wednesday 4.
The water over the next few days
- Today
- Fri 30
- Sat 31
- Sun 1
- Mon 2
- Tue 3
- Wed 4
- Thu 5
- Fri 6
- Sat 7
Water over the last 60 days
Over these days it has dropped 17.6 °F (from August 30).
Over the next few weeks the water looks normal for the time of year (+0.4 °F), according to ECMWF 46-day.
Daily average and its range (low and high). The dotted line is the forecast.
Water temperature by month vs. normal
The water off Hilton Head is colder than normal for late October today (−4.1 °F).
- 60.3° 60°JanJ
- 59.1° 59°FebF
- 61.0° 61°MarM
- 66.5° 66°AprA
- 73.9° 74°MayM
- 80.2° 80°JunJ
- 83.5° 83°JulJ
- 83.8° 84°AugA
- 81.4° 81°SepS
- 75.7° 76°OctO
- 68.1° 68°NovN
- 63.0° 63°DecD
- Monthly normal
- Today
- Best time
The best time to swim in Hilton Head is from May to October, when the water averages 73.9–83.8 °F.
The water is warmest in August (83.8 °F on average) and coldest in February (59.1 °F).
Monthly averages for 1991–2020 (NOAA OISST, from satellites and buoys; nearest data point 8.9 mi away). Right by the shore, the water can be a little colder or warmer. Sources and licenses
Water and air, day by day
| Day | Water | Air | Max wave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Today | 67.8–68.5 °F | 63 / 79 °F | 3.3 ft |
| Fri 30 | 68.2–68.9 °F | 62 / 76 °F | 2.4 ft |
| Sat 31 | 68.7–69.3 °F | 64 / 74 °F | 3.4 ft |
| Sun 1 | 69.1–69.3 °F | 65 / 72 °F | 3.3 ft |
| Mon 2 | 69.3–69.6 °F | 64 / 73 °F | 3.6 ft |
| Tue 3 | 69.3–71.1 °F | 64 / 75 °F | 3.2 ft |
| Wed 4 | 70.2–72.1 °F | 64 / 76 °F | 2.9 ft |
Which wetsuit to wear
| Water | Wetsuit | How it feels |
|---|---|---|
| < 52 °F | 6/5 mm with hood, booties and gloves | Very cold: full kit only |
| 52°–57 °F | 5/4 mm with booties | Cold: takes your breath away |
| 57°–63 °F | 4/3 mm | Cool |
| 63°–66 °F | 3/2 mm | Mild |
| 66°–72 °F | Shorty (springsuit) | Pleasant |
| 72°–75 °F | Rash guard or top | Very pleasant |
| > 75 °F | No wetsuit | Warm |
A rough guide: it depends on the wind, how long you stay in and each person.
Fish are cold-blooded: the water sets their activity. Sudden temperature changes usually put them off the bite; with steady water, activity is more regular.
Previous days
The water over the last 60 days.
| Day | Water | Low / high |
|---|---|---|
| Wed 28 | 67.8 °F | 67.5–68.2 °F |
| Tue 27 | 68.2 °F | 67.8–68.4 °F |
| Mon 26 | 68.4 °F | 68.2–68.7 °F |
| Sun 25 | 68.9 °F | 68.5–69.3 °F |
| Sat 24 | 69.4 °F | 69.3–69.8 °F |
| Fri 23 | 70.2 °F | 70.0–70.5 °F |
| Thu 22 | 70.5 °F | 70.2–70.9 °F |
Show all 60 days
| Day | Water | Low / high |
|---|---|---|
| Wed 21 | 71.1 °F | 70.9–71.6 °F |
| Tue 20 | 71.8 °F | 71.6–72.3 °F |
| Mon 19 | 73.0 °F | 72.5–73.9 °F |
| Sun 18 | 75.0 °F | 74.1–76.6 °F |
| Sat 17 | 77.9 °F | 76.8–78.6 °F |
| Fri 16 | 78.6 °F | 78.1–79.0 °F |
| Thu 15 | 78.4 °F | 77.9–79.0 °F |
| Wed 14 | 78.1 °F | 77.5–78.8 °F |
| Tue 13 | 77.9 °F | 77.4–78.4 °F |
| Mon 12 | 77.5 °F | 77.2–77.9 °F |
| Sun 11 | 77.7 °F | 77.5–77.9 °F |
| Sat 10 | 77.2 °F | 77.0–77.5 °F |
| Fri 9 | 77.4 °F | 77.2–77.5 °F |
| Thu 8 | 77.5 °F | 77.4–77.9 °F |
| Wed 7 | 78.1 °F | 77.9–78.6 °F |
| Tue 6 | 79.9 °F | 78.8–80.6 °F |
| Mon 5 | 80.4 °F | 80.1–80.8 °F |
| Sun 4 | 81.0 °F | 80.6–81.3 °F |
| Sat 3 | 80.8 °F | 80.2–81.3 °F |
| Fri 2 | 80.8 °F | 79.9–81.7 °F |
| Thu 1 | 80.1 °F | 79.5–80.4 °F |
| Wed 30 | 79.5 °F | 79.2–80.1 °F |
| Tue 29 | 79.0 °F | 78.6–79.3 °F |
| Mon 28 | 78.6 °F | 78.1–79.2 °F |
| Sun 27 | 78.6 °F | 78.3–78.8 °F |
| Sat 26 | 79.2 °F | 78.8–79.5 °F |
| Fri 25 | 80.2 °F | 79.7–81.3 °F |
| Thu 24 | 82.4 °F | 81.3–83.5 °F |
| Wed 23 | 84.0 °F | 83.5–84.2 °F |
| Tue 22 | 84.4 °F | 84.0–84.6 °F |
| Mon 21 | 84.4 °F | 83.8–84.7 °F |
| Sun 20 | 84.2 °F | 84.2–84.4 °F |
| Sat 19 | 84.4 °F | 83.8–84.7 °F |
| Fri 18 | 84.2 °F | 83.7–84.7 °F |
| Thu 17 | 84.0 °F | 83.7–84.4 °F |
| Wed 16 | 84.7 °F | 84.4–85.5 °F |
| Tue 15 | 85.6 °F | 85.5–86.2 °F |
| Mon 14 | 85.8 °F | 84.9–86.7 °F |
| Sun 13 | 85.1 °F | 84.6–85.8 °F |
| Sat 12 | 84.9 °F | 84.6–85.5 °F |
| Fri 11 | 84.9 °F | 84.6–85.1 °F |
| Thu 10 | 84.7 °F | 84.0–85.5 °F |
| Wed 9 | 84.6 °F | 84.4–84.9 °F |
| Tue 8 | 85.3 °F | 84.9–86.0 °F |
| Mon 7 | 86.4 °F | 86.0–86.5 °F |
| Sun 6 | 86.9 °F | 86.4–87.6 °F |
| Sat 5 | 86.7 °F | 86.0–87.3 °F |
| Fri 4 | 86.4 °F | 85.8–86.9 °F |
| Thu 3 | 86.0 °F | 85.6–86.4 °F |
| Wed 2 | 85.8 °F | 85.3–86.4 °F |
| Tue 1 | 85.5 °F | 85.1–85.8 °F |
| Mon 31 | 85.3 °F | 84.9–85.6 °F |
| Sun 30 | 85.5 °F | 85.1–85.6 °F |
It's the daily analysis from Météo-France / Copernicus Marine (satellites, buoys and model), not a buoy reading at this spot.
Questions about the water in Hilton HeadQuestions
What's the water temperature today in Hilton Head?
68.0 °F; through the day it ranges 67.8–68.5 °F.
Will the water get warmer or colder?
It warms over the next few days: about 71.2 °F by Wednesday 4.
Which wetsuit do I need today?
With the water as it is today, shorty (springsuit) (pleasant). It's a rough guide: it depends on the wind and each person.
How warm is the water in Hilton Head in October?
In October, the water in Hilton Head averages 75.7 °F (1991–2020). For a long swim: no wetsuit (warm).
How warm is the water in Hilton Head in August?
In August, the water in Hilton Head averages 83.8 °F (1991–2020), the warmest of the year. For a long swim: no wetsuit (warm).
When is the best time to swim in Hilton Head?
The best time to swim in Hilton Head is from May to October, when the water averages 73.9–83.8 °F. The water is warmest in August (83.8 °F on average) and coldest in February (59.1 °F).
Is the water warmer or colder than normal?
The water off Hilton Head is colder than normal for late October today (−4.1 °F).
More about Hilton Head today
Water temperature near Hilton Head
- Beaufort 67.8 °F · 16 mi
- Tybee Island 68.2 °F · 16 mi
- Edisto Beach 68.0 °F · 30 mi
- Meggett 67.8 °F · 46 mi
- Kiawah Island 67.6 °F · 48 mi
- Shell Point 67.5 °F · 55 mi
Only places with a different forecast: spots a few miles apart share the same model cell and wouldn't add anything.
Learn more
Sea surface temperature: Open-Meteo with Météo-France / Copernicus Marine, CC BY 4.0; grid point 6.7 mi away. Near the shore, in coves and estuaries, the water can be a little colder or warmer.
Forecast from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) with models from ECMWF, NOAA, Météo-France, DWD, Copernicus Marine and CAMS. Updated at 1:05 am (local time).
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