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.
| 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.
Surf Forecast in Charleston for today
Another important indicators for a comfortable holiday on the beach are the presence and height of the waves, as well as the speed and direction of the wind. Please find below data on the swell size for Charleston. We calculate the swell size based on the mean wave height (trough to crest) of each third highest wave. For more information on surf forecasts for the next ten days, please visit sea state forecast Charleston. Data in table shown for September 14, 2022, time in GMT 0 format (you can change the time zone on the sea state forecast page)
| 0-3 h | 3-6 h | 6-9 h | 9-12 h |
| 1 9″ | 1 8″ | 1 8″ | 1 7″ |
| 0.54 m | 0.52 m | 0.5 m | 0.47 m |
| 12-15 h | 15-18 h | 18-21 h | 21-24 h |
| 1 8″ | 1 10″ | 1 10″ | 1 11″ |
| 0.51 m | 0.56 m | 0.57 m | 0.59 m |
Data in a table show Charleston temperature today (September 14, 2022). For more information and forecast for a few days, go to the weather forecast Charleston
| 0-3 h | 3-6 h | 6-9 h | 9-12 h |
| 80.8°F | 78.3°F | 75.6°F | 76.6°F |
| 12-15 h | 15-18 h | 18-21 h | 21-24 h |
| 83.3°F | 89.1°F | 83.8°F | 77.2°F |
These figures shows the average, minimum and maximum monthly sea temperature in Charleston. In addition to the table values, the graph below displays of changes average surface temperature during the year. Values are calculated based on the data over the past 10 years. Using them, you can check the water temperature in Charleston on any day of this period that interests you. Click on the month link and you will see a table for each day, or alternatively you can view the temperature curve of the month and select 2 different years you want to compare, either in a table or as a curve
Charleston SC water temperature by month
| Max. Water
Temperature (°F) |
ø. Water Temperature (°F) |
Min. Water
Temperature (°F) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
January |
61.5 | 59.2 | 57.4 |
|
February |
59 | 58.1 | 57.2 |
|
March |
61.9 | 59.5 | 58.3 |
|
April |
68.9 | 65.3 | 61.7 |
|
May |
77.2 | 73 | 69.3 |
|
June |
82.2 | 80.1 | 77.4 |
|
July |
84.2 | 83.3 | 82 |
|
August |
84.2 | 83.8 | 83.3 |
|
September |
83.3 | 81.3 | 79 |
|
October |
79 | 75.4 | 71.6 |
|
November |
71.6 | 67.6 | 63.9 |
|
December |
64.2 | 62.4 | 60.8 |
FAQ
What is the water temperature in Charleston?
How cold does the ocean get in Charleston SC?
Is the Ocean warm in Charleston SC?
The water at beaches in North Carolina and South Carolina stays warm enough from May to mid-October for most people to enjoy swimming. Ocean temperatures normally peak at over 80 °F (high 20s °C) during summer. The farther south you go, the warmer the sea.
What is the water temperature in South Carolina today?
