Kiawah Island tides today
- Tide now 0.5 ft ↓ falling · low 4:36 am (0.0 ft)
- Best time to fish 4:30–5:30 pm good day · 7/10
- Beach day 4:00–6:00 pm High rip current risk
- Waves · water 3.0 ft · 67 °F slight · 6.8 s from the east
- Wind · air 9 mph · 64 °F from the NNE, gusts 24 · mainly clear
- Sun 7:35 am–6:32 pm 10 h 57 min of daylight
- Moon 84% · 9:27 pm waning gibbous · rises at 9:27 pm
- Best time to dive 10:00 am–12:30 pm great day · 9/10
- Rip Current Statement: dangerous rip currents at the beaches: swimming is risky. Until 8:00 pm today. NWS Charleston SC
- Small Craft Advisory: winds or seas hazardous to small boats. Until 8:00 am tomorrow. NWS Charleston SC
- Coastal Flood Advisory: minor flooding along the shore at high tide. From 8:00 am today to 12:00 pm today. NWS Charleston SC
Today in Kiawah Island there are high tides at 11:15 am (7.1 ft) and 11:29 pm (5.8 ft) and low tides at 4:36 am and 5:33 pm. Tide coefficient 80. Right now the tide is falling toward the low tide at 4:36 am. The sun rises at 7:35 am and sets at 6:32 pm: 10 h 57 min of daylight. The moon is 84% illuminated (waning gibbous) and rises at 9:27 pm. Major solunar periods run from 3:00 am to 5:00 am and from 3:32 pm to 5:32 pm. The next spring tides arrive from November 9 to 11. The sea is slight, with 3.0 ft waves. There's a gentle breeze from the north-northeast (9 mph). Mainly clear, 64 °F.
Fishing in Kiawah Island today
Best time to fish
Solunar activity today: medium- Low tide at 5:33 pm
- Major period 3:32–5:32 pm
- Steady pressure (30.15 inHg), light offshore wind (9 mph) and some swell (2.6 ft waves) to stir the water
- Waning gibbous: a bit more activity than at the quarters
- Highest tide coefficient today: 80 (average tides)
Your day at a glance
The best window, 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm, combines the 5:33 pm low tide, a major period and some swell. Also good from 3:40 am to 5:00 am, with the 4:36 am low tide, a major period and some swell. Also good from 11:10 am to 12:10 pm, with the 11:15 am high tide, moonset and some swell.
Species with the most records nearby: mahi-mahi, Atlantic croaker, spot and blacktip shark. October is one of the months when these are seen most: southern kingfish. What you can catch
Beach day in Kiawah Island
Is it a beach day?
2 good hours- Official statement: Rip Current Statement (NWS Charleston SC)
Rip current risk today: high (statement in effect) · tomorrow: moderate (NWS)
Stay out of the water: rip currents can pull even strong swimmers out to sea. If one catches you, don't swim against it: swim parallel to the shore and wave for help.
- Mostly sunny
- Feels like 76 °F: pleasant
- Water at 68 °F (cool)
- Low tide at 5:33 pm: more sand
- Light offshore wind (10 mph): it blows floats and inflatables out to sea
- Calm for swimming: 2.6 ft waves; high rip current risk (official statement)
Today, hour by hour
- Swimming Calm · 2.6 ft
2.6 ft waves: calm for swimming. Always follow the lifeguard's flags.
- Water 68 °F
Cool: refreshing on a hot day.
- Sun & sunscreen UV 4 · SPF 30
Max UV 4 (moderate): SPF 30 sunscreen, reapplied every 2 hours.
- Wind 12 mph
Offshore breeze (12 mph). Watch floats and inflatables: offshore wind carries them out to sea.
- Tide & sand 4:36 am
Low tide at 4:36 am and 5:33 pm: that's when there's the most sand. High tide at 11:15 am and 11:29 pm.
The best window, 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, brings sunshine, pleasant temperatures and low tide at 5:33 pm, though with light offshore wind and rip currents.
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 Kiawah Island
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Kiawah Beachwalker Park 3.3 mi · SW
- Parking
- Seabrook Beach 5.1 mi · SW
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 Kiawah Island
Webcams provided by windy.com — add a webcam
Tides in Kiawah Island
Today's high and low tides
- ▼ Next low tide 4:36 am 0.0 ft
- ▲ High tide 11:15 am 7.1 ft · coef. 80
- ▼ Low tide 5:33 pm 0.4 ft
- ▲ High tide 11:29 pm 5.8 ft · coef. 77
↓ Falling The tide is falling. 56 min to low tide at 4:36 am.
Tide coefficient 80 for the 11:15 am high tide and 77 for the 11:29 pm high tide. Average coefficient. The water rises and falls 7.1 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 (7.3 ft) and the lowest, on December 25 (-1.0 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, 7.3 ft range). The smallest, from October 17 to 19 (coefficient 47, 4.5 ft).
Tide and solunar table · this week
| Day | Sun | Tide 1 | Tide 2 | Tide 3 | Tide 4 | Coef. | Moon | Major periods | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today, Thu 29 | 7:35 am · 6:32 pm | Low tide 4:36 am · 0.0 ft | High tide 11:15 am · 7.1 ft | Low tide 5:33 pm · 0.4 ft | High tide 11:29 pm · 5.8 ft | Coef. 80 | 84% | Major periods 3:00 am · 3:32 pm | Medium |
| Fri 30 | 7:36 am · 6:31 pm | Low tide 5:30 am · 0.2 ft | High tide 12:16 pm · 6.9 ft | Low tide 6:31 pm · 0.6 ft | — | Coef. 75 | 74% | Major periods 4:05 am · 4:36 pm | Medium |
| Sat 31 | 7:37 am · 6:30 pm | High tide 12:32 am · 5.6 ft | Low tide 6:29 am · 0.4 ft | High tide 1:22 pm · 6.7 ft | Low tide 7:32 pm · 0.7 ft | Coef. 72 | 63% | Major periods 5:07 am · 5:36 pm | Medium |
| Sun 1 | 6:38 am · 5:30 pm | High tide 1:39 am · 5.6 ft | Low tide 6:36 am · 0.6 ft | High tide 1:27 pm · 6.6 ft | Low tide 7:35 pm · 0.7 ft | Coef. 69 | Last quarter | Major periods 5:04 am · 5:31 pm | Medium |
| Mon 2 | 6:39 am · 5:29 pm | High tide 1:47 am · 5.7 ft | Low tide 7:45 am · 0.6 ft | High tide 2:29 pm · 6.5 ft | Low tide 8:34 pm · 0.6 ft | Coef. 68 | 41% | Major periods 5:57 am · 6:22 pm | Medium |
| Tue 3 | 6:40 am · 5:28 pm | High tide 2:51 am · 5.9 ft | Low tide 8:52 am · 0.6 ft | High tide 3:28 pm · 6.4 ft | Low tide 9:30 pm · 0.5 ft | Coef. 70 | 30% | Major periods 6:46 am · 7:09 pm | Medium |
| Wed 4 | 6:40 am · 5:27 pm | High tide 3:53 am · 6.1 ft | Low tide 9:55 am · 0.6 ft | High tide 4:23 pm · 6.3 ft | Low tide 10:22 pm · 0.4 ft | Coef. 72 | 21% | Major periods 7:32 am · 7:54 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 Kiawah River Bridge station (NOAA), 2.8 mi from Kiawah Island. Times and heights are its predictions. It is a NOAA subordinate station: its times and heights come from the Charleston (Customhouse Wharf) reference station with the official corrections.
Station data attribution: Slackwater database (https://github.com/openwatersio/slackwater-database)
The sea at Kiawah Island
Sea stateSea state: slight
The waves you may find
- Most commonMost common1.5 ft
- Significant3.0 ft
- Highest expectedHighest6.0 ft
One wave in seven is higher than the significant height, and about 3 times a day one reaches 6.0 ft. Before heading out, expect waves of up to 6.0 ft.
Wind on the coast and offshore
Cross-offshore wind. The coast faces south and the wind comes off the land at an angle: calmer water near the shore, and bait and boats drift out to sea.
Wave height, next 7 daysWaves, next 7 days
Waves stay much the same all week. The biggest waves arrive on Monday 2: 3.4 ft with a period of 6 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 70.9 °F by Wednesday 4.
Water colder than normal for late October (−4.0 °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 3:40 am (local time).
Nearest buoy
This is a real measurement of the sea, not a forecast. Data from stations 41076 and 41066, NOAA National Data Buoy Center (public domain).
Surf in Kiawah Island today
Surf today
Fair- 1.8–2.7 ft surf at the shore, a fun size for most surfers
- 2.5 ft swell at 7 s from the east-southeast, short: weak, messy waves
- Light offshore wind (10 mph): it holds up and grooms the waves
- First or last light of the day
- Rising tide (high tide at 11:15 am)
Rip current risk today: high (statement in effect) · tomorrow: moderate (NWS)
Stay out of the water: rip currents can pull even strong swimmers out to sea. If one catches you, don't swim against it: swim parallel to the shore and wave for help.
Surf height from the NWS, today: 3.0–5.0 ft
- Light: First light 7:10 am · sunrise 7:35 am · sunset 6:32 pm · last light 6:58 pm
- Tide: low 4:36 am (0.0 ft), high 11:15 am (7.1 ft), low 5:33 pm (0.4 ft) and high 11:29 pm (5.8 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: 55 kJ · Low power
Today’s surf at a glance
The best window, 7:10 am to 11:00 am, has 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.
Diving in Kiawah Island today
Diving and snorkeling today
Likely visibility: good- Slack water around high tide (11:15 am): little current from 10:30 am to 11:50 am
- 2.5 ft swell at 7 s from the east-southeast: some surge on the bottom
- Light offshore wind (12 mph)
- 0.2 mph current toward the southwest, weak (model)
- Sun high: more light underwater
- Slack water today: low tide 4:36 am (4:20–5:00 am), high tide 11:15 am (10:30–11:50 am), low tide 5:33 pm (5:18–5:50 pm) and high tide 11:29 pm (10:50 pm–12:00 am)
- Likely visibility: good. Swell (up to 2.6 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 6:58 pm. Waning gibbous (84%), rising at 9:27 pm: a bright night.
Your diving day at a glance
The best window, 10:00 am to 12:30 pm, combines slack water at high tide, light wind, weak current and the sun high. Also worth a look from 5:00 pm to 6:10 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
- Wreck 5.9 mi
- N. Edisto Nearshore Reef 6.3 mi
- Kiawah Reef (4KI) 9.8 mi
- Lowcountry Anglers' Reef 10.0 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 Kiawah Island
Now in Kiawah Island
- Low / high
- 64 / 76 °F
- Rain
- 0.00 in · 2%
- Clouds
- 25%
- Humidity
- 88%
- Dew pointDew point
- 60 °F
- Visibility
- 9.1 mi
- UV indexUV
- 0 · low
- Air qualityAir
- Good · 50
- 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 (+0.01 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 | Mainly clear | Mainly clear | Clear | Mainly clear | Overcast | Partly cloudy | Clear sky | Clear |
| Temperature | 65° | 65° | 64° | 66° | 74° | 76° | 73° | 67° |
| Wind (mph) | 9 NNE | 8 NNE | 9 NNE | 11 NNE | 12 NE | 11 NE | 8 NE | 6 NE |
| Gusts | 24 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 15 |
| Waves | 2.9 ft | 3.0 ft | 3.0 ft | 2.8 ft | 2.6 ft | 2.6 ft | 2.5 ft | 2.3 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 |
- 3:00 am 65° 8 NNE 3.0 ft
- 6:00 am 64° 9 NNE 3.0 ft
- 9:00 am 66° 11 NNE 2.8 ft
- 12:00 pm 74° 12 NE 2.6 ft
- 3:00 pm 76° 11 NE 2.6 ft
- 6:00 pm 73° 8 NE 2.5 ft
- 9:00 pm 67° 6 NE 2.3 ft
- 12:00 am 65° 7 NNE 2.0 ft
Next 14 daysComing days
| Day | Sky | Low / high | Max wind | Max wave | High tides |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today · 29 | 64 / 76 °F | 12 mph NE | 3.0 ft | 11:15 am · 11:29 pm | |
| Fri 30 | 61 / 76 °F | 11 mph NE | 2.0 ft | 12:16 pm | |
| Sat 31 | 64 / 73 °F | 20 mph NE | 2.8 ft | 12:32 am · 1:22 pm | |
| Sun 1 | 63 / 72 °F | 19 mph NE | 2.8 ft | 1:39 am · 1:27 pm | |
| Mon 2 | 64 / 73 °F | 20 mph NE | 3.4 ft | 1:47 am · 2:29 pm | |
| Tue 3 | 64 / 74 °F | 17 mph NE | 3.0 ft | 2:51 am · 3:28 pm | |
| Wed 4 | 64 / 75 °F | 14 mph ENE | 2.7 ft | 3:53 am · 4:23 pm | |
| Thu 5 | 64 / 74 °F | 12 mph SE | 2.1 ft | 4:49 am · 5:14 pm | |
| Fri 6 | 59 / 71 °F | 10 mph WSW | 3.7 ft | 5:39 am · 6:00 pm | |
| Sat 7 | 56 / 70 °F | 9 mph NNW | 4.2 ft | 6:24 am · 6:42 pm | |
| Sun 8 | 53 / 69 °F | 10 mph NNE | 3.3 ft | 7:05 am · 7:23 pm | |
| Mon 9 | 53 / 66 °F | 11 mph N | 3.7 ft | 7:45 am · 8:03 pm | |
| Tue 10 | 51 / 67 °F | 8 mph NNE | 3.0 ft | 8:22 am · 8:43 pm | |
| Wed 11 | 56 / 70 °F | 6 mph NNW | 2.2 ft | 9:00 am · 9:23 pm |
- Fri 30 Overcast 61° / 76° 2.0 ft
- Sat 31 Overcast 64° / 73° 2.8 ft
- Sun 1 Light drizzle 63° / 72° 2.8 ft
- Mon 2 Light drizzle 64° / 73° 3.4 ft
- Tue 3 Mainly clear 64° / 74° 3.0 ft
- Wed 4 Partly cloudy 64° / 75° 2.7 ft
- Thu 5 Light drizzle 64° / 74° 2.1 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, wetter and a slightly warmer sea. See the outlook →
- Normal Today, warmer than normal for late October (+3.0 °F; normal high: 73 °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 3:40 am (local time).
The sun in Kiawah Island
Sunrise and sunset
- First light 6:41 am
- Full dark 7:27 pm
- Civil dawn 7:10 am
- Civil dusk 6:58 pm
- Solar noon 1:04 pm (44° high)
- Daylight 10 h 57 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 92,330,181 mi away and looks 32′ 11″ across.
The moon in Kiawah Island
Moon phase and position
Today the moon is 226,746 mi away and looks 32′ 44″ across.
Solunar periods
Today's activity: medium- 3:00–5:00 am Major · the moon passes overhead · high activity
- 3:32–5:32 pm Major · the moon passes underfoot · high activity
- 11:08 am–12:08 pm Minor · moonset · medium activity
- 8:57–9:57 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 3 days
- New moon Mon, Nov 9 · 2:03 amNov 9 in 11 days
- First quarter Tue, Nov 17 · 6:48 amNov 17 in 19 days
- Full moon Tue, Nov 24 · 9:54 amNov 24 in 26 days
Next perigee (the moon at its closest to Earth): November 25, 223,281 mi away.
Where to fish in Kiawah Island
Piers, ramps and tackle shops nearby
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Edwin S. Taylor Fishing Pier 9.1 mi
- Cinder Creek Pier 2.8 mi
- Cinder Creek Kayak Launch 2.8 mi
- Boat ramp 4.9 mi
- Boat ramp 5.3 mi
- Boat ramp 5.7 mi
- Boat ramp 6.6 mi
- Boat ramp 7.7 mi
- Boat ramp 8.4 mi
- Bohicket Marina 4.3 mi
- Sunset Cay Marina 7.7 mi
- Blue Water Tackleshop and Bohicket Trading Company 4.1 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
Very shallowVery shallow and flat: 3.1 mi from shore the water is still only about 28 ft deep.
From the shoreline (0.45 mi from Kiawah Island) out to sea, heading south.
How far from shore
- 16 ft deep1.3 mi
- 33 ft deepnot within 3.1 mi
- 66 ft deepnot within 3.1 mi
- 164 ft deepnot within 3.1 mi
For fishing, swimming and diving
- Shore fishing. Shallow, gradual bottom (16 ft at 1.3 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: the water doesn't reach 33 ft within 3.1 mi. For deeper dives, take a boat farther 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.
Tides near Kiawah IslandTides nearby
- Seabrook Island5.4 mi
- Rockville6.4 mi
- Folly Beach9.0 mi
- James Island11 mi
- Meggett12 mi
- Shell Point13 mi
- Charleston15 mi
- Edisto Beach17 mi
- Sullivans Island18 mi
- Mount Pleasant18 mi
Kiawah Island at a glance
- Town or city of about 1,749 people. Coordinates: 32.608° N, 80.085° W.
- It is 15 mi southwest of Charleston, the main place in South Carolina. The sun rises at the same time and sets 1 min later than in Charleston.
- The nearest tide station, Kiawah River Bridge, is 2.7 mi to the west.
- Its coast faces south.
- Beaches and harbors nearby: Bohicket Marina (4.2 mi).
Questions about Kiawah IslandQuestions
What time is high tide today in Kiawah Island?
Today in Kiawah Island there are high tides at 11:15 am (7.1 ft) and 11:29 pm (5.8 ft) and low tides at 4:36 am and 5:33 pm. Tide coefficient 80.
What time is sunset today in Kiawah Island?
At 6:32 pm. There is light until the end of civil twilight, at 6:58 pm.
What time is sunrise tomorrow in Kiawah Island?
At 7:36 am. First light comes at 6:42 am.
What phase is the moon today?
Waning gibbous, 84% illuminated. New moon on Mon, Nov 9 · 2:03 am.
When are the next spring tides?
From November 9 to 11.
What are today's solunar periods?
Major 3:00–5:00 am, Minor 11:08 am–12:08 pm, Major 3:32–5:32 pm, Minor 8:57–9:57 pm. Today's activity is medium.
What's the weather like today in Kiawah Island?
Overcast, from 64 °F to 76 °F, with a gentle breeze from the north-northeast (9 mph) and a 2% chance of rain.
How is the sea today in Kiawah Island?
Slight (Douglas 3): 3.0 ft waves with a period of 6.8 s from the east. The water is 67.5 °F.
When is the best time to visit Kiawah Island?
The best time to visit Kiawah Island is from April to May and in October: highs of 75 °F to 82 °F, about 8 rainy days a month and 8 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 Kiawah River Bridge (public domain), via Slackwater database. Sun and moon: our own calculation with astronomy-engine. Places: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Coastline: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).