What is the current water temperature in Hilton Head Island?

Q: What is the current water temperature in Hilton Head Island?

As of now, in Hilton Head Island, the water temperature is 10.93°F. Swimming in water of this temperature is considered as extremely cold, and there's a substantial risk of hypothermia if exposed for more than a brief duration.

United States > Hilton Head Island

Water temperature in Hilton Head Island

Detailed information about the current water temperature in Hilton Head Island. The trend over the last two weeks, daily averages, and precise forecast of the water temperature changes. Gain a deeper understanding of seasonal dynamics with monthly statistical analyses covering recent years.

51.7

°F

January 25, 23:06

Trend:

stable

Yesterday:

50.8°F

Tomorrow:

51.6°F

Sunrise:

07:21

Sunset:

17:50

Day Length:

10 h. 29 min.

Hilton Head Island in February

Minimum:

50.6°F

Average:

56.8°F

Maximum:

66.7°F

Sea water temperature in Hilton Head Island today

As of now, in Hilton Head Island, the water temperature is 51.7°F. Swimming in water of this temperature is considered as extremely cold, and there's a substantial risk of hypothermia if exposed for more than a brief duration. Today's reading is 1.3°F lower than the average recorded on this particular day in recent years. Since yesterday, there was a slight increase in temperature. This indicates a warming trend over the past day. According to the forecast, we expect the temperature to stay about the same.

Recent sea temperature and forecast

Today's water temperature is considerably lower than the average registered over the last two weeks, indicating a slight cooling trend. It also falls within the range of the average temperature recorded for this date, suggesting a consistent weather trend. The maximum temperature recorded for this date was 58.8°F on 2017, while the historical minimum was 44.9°F on 2025.

latest data

last year

The water temperature over the last two weeks displayed soome variability. While the two week average stayed close to the historical average, there were some days when the temperature was close to the minimum recorded over the past years. Over the next week, the forecast shows a steady trend, with temperatures staying close to the average of 52.0°F. Both minimum and maximum temperatures expected to be close to the average, offering a week of stable water conditions.

Daily water temperature in Hilton Head Island

Date	Current Year actual* / forecast**	last year	10 years average
Jan 11	55.3°F	49.6°F	55.0°F
Jan 12	56.4°F	49.2°F	54.9°F
Jan 13	56.7°F	48.5°F	54.7°F
Jan 14	55.2°F	49.6°F	55.0°F
Jan 15	55.0°F	48.2°F	54.7°F
Jan 16	54.3°F	49.1°F	54.7°F
Jan 17	53.2°F	48.6°F	54.8°F
Jan 18	52.8°F	48.8°F	54.4°F
Jan 19	51.8°F	49.0°F	54.2°F
Jan 20	51.6°F	49.8°F	54.2°F
Jan 21	51.0°F	49.5°F	53.7°F
Jan 22	50.7°F	50.5°F	53.9°F
Jan 23	51.2°F	47.3°F	53.3°F
Jan 24	50.8°F	44.6°F	52.7°F
Jan 25	51.7°F	44.9°F	53.0°F
Jan 26	51.6°F	45.4°F	52.9°F
Jan 27	51.9°F	45.6°F	53.2°F
Jan 28	52.6°F	45.0°F	54.0°F
Jan 29	52.9°F	46.2°F	54.3°F
Jan 30	51.8°F	47.1°F	53.1°F
Jan 31	51.5°F	47.6°F	52.8°F
Feb 1	51.5°F	48.7°F	52.8°F

* actual - actual temperature values

** forecast - projected values for the next week

Real-time coastal temperatures could deviate by several degrees from the provided readings. These deviations often become evident following intense rainfall or strong winds.

Our forecasting methodology leverages a mathematical model, that uses current water and weather conditions, historical records, wind intensity and direction.

Sea water temperature in Hilton Head Island by month

In Hilton Head Island, the months May through October offer comfortable swimming conditions, which amounts to 166 swimming days.

The warmest water in Hilton Head Island was recorded on August 1, 2025, reaching a 88.8°F. While the coldest temperature occurred on January 24, 2025, dipping to 44.6°F. The average readings by season are 56.0°F in Winter, 67.9°F in Spring, 83.7°F in Summer, and 74.2°F in Autumn.