Charleston Water Temperature

(Today) 2025

14°C / 57.2°F

The water will feel cool (fresh). Probably too cold for all but seasoned swimmers. We'd recommend a 4mm or 5mm wetsuit if you want to stay in the water.

*Live data from Charleston, Cooper River Entrance, SC: 12.6°C / 54.7°F

Current weather

12°C / 54°F
(overcast clouds)
Partly cloudy
Wind
14 mph
Humidity
65%

The measurements for the water temperature in Charleston, South Carolina are provided by the daily satellite readings provided by the NOAA. The temperatures given are the sea surface temperature (SST) which is most relevant to recreational users.

*Live data may vary from satellite readings for a number of reasons. These include local factors, depth of smapling and time of day.

Water temp by month

Monthly average max / min water temperatures

The graph below shows the range of monthly Charleston water temperature derived from many years of historical sea surface temperature data.

Charleston average maximum / minimum water temperatures
Maximum and minimum monthly sea temperatures in Charleston
  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Min °C 13.4 13 13.4 15.2 18.7 23.8 26.9 27.2 26.1 22.2 18.6 14.7
Max °C 17.1 16.6 16.8 21.9 25.8 28.4 29.6 30 28.8 27.7 23.3 19.6
Min °F 57.6 56.8 57.5 62 68.5 76.7 81.5 82.1 80 74.1 67.3 60.4
Max °F 61.3 60.4 60.9 68.7 75.6 81.3 84.2 84.9 82.7 79.6 72 65.3

The warmest water temperature is in August with an average around 83.5°F / 28.6°C. The coldest month is February with an average water temperature of 58.6°F / 14.8°C.

7 day tide forecast for Charleston

MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
  • Low 2:50am
    (0.05m)
  • High 9:17am
    (1.73m)
  • Low 3:36pm
    (0.13m)
  • High 9:19pm
    (1.38m)
  • Low 3:29am
    (0.06m)
  • High 9:52am
    (1.7m)
  • Low 4:15pm
    (0.13m)
  • High 9:59pm
    (1.4m)
  • Low 4:10am
    (0.08m)
  • High 10:30am
    (1.66m)
  • Low 4:55pm
    (0.12m)
  • High 10:44pm
    (1.43m)
  • Low 4:55am
    (0.11m)
  • High 11:12am
    (1.62m)
  • Low 5:39pm
    (0.1m)
  • High 11:35pm
    (1.48m)
  • Low 5:47am
    (0.15m)
  • High 11:59am
    (1.57m)
  • Low 6:26pm
    (0.08m)
  • High 12:32am
    (1.53m)
  • Low 6:47am
    (0.18m)
  • High 12:53pm
    (1.51m)
  • Low 7:20pm
    (0.05m)
  • High 1:33am
    (1.59m)
  • Low 7:54am
    (0.2m)
  • High 1:53pm
    (1.46m)
  • Low 8:17pm
    (0.01m)
7 day tide times for Charleston

*These tide times are estimates based on the nearest accurate location (Charleston, South Carolina) and may differ by up to half an hour depending on distance. Please note, the tide times given are not suitable for navigational purposes.