Plan your visit
Best time to visit Surfside Beach
Water averages at least 70 °F in May through October. Rain averages under 4 inches in January, February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November, and December, versus July (7.98 inches) and August (10.42 inches). Tropical systems peak in September (19), and minor flood days peak in September (15).
These figures are multi-year averages, not a forecast. The air and water figures come from NOAA station 8661070 at Springmaid Pier. The rainfall figures come from NOAA NCEI station USW00093718, North Myrtle Beach at Grand Strand Airport.
Sources: Air temperature at Springmaid Pier (opens in a new tab), Water temperature at Springmaid Pier (opens in a new tab), Wind at Springmaid Pier (opens in a new tab), Rainfall at North Myrtle Beach at Grand Strand Airport (opens in a new tab), and Sunrise and sunset at 33.575, -78.9967 (opens in a new tab).
Monthly averages
| Month | Average high | Average low | Average water temperature | Average wind | Average rainfall | Average daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 54.6 °F | 41.0 °F | 50.1 °F | 9.3 mph | 2.29 in | 10 hr 13 min |
| February | 58.9 °F | 46.5 °F | 51.9 °F | 9.6 mph | 1.96 in | 11 hr 0 min |
| March | 64.6 °F | 53.0 °F | 59.3 °F | 10.7 mph | 3.02 in | 11 hr 59 min |
| April | 69.7 °F | 59.9 °F | 67.0 °F | 11.3 mph | 3.15 in | 13 hr 2 min |
| May | 76.2 °F | 67.2 °F | 73.6 °F | 11.4 mph | 3.58 in | 13 hr 54 min |
| June | 81.8 °F | 73.2 °F | 79.2 °F | 11.4 mph | 3.31 in | 14 hr 21 min |
| July | 84.7 °F | 77.3 °F | 84.1 °F | 11.6 mph | 7.98 in | 14 hr 7 min |
| August | 83.5 °F | 75.2 °F | 83.7 °F | 10.4 mph | 10.42 in | 13 hr 22 min |
| September | 79.7 °F | 70.2 °F | 79.5 °F | 10.6 mph | 3.84 in | 12 hr 22 min |
| October | 71.9 °F | 59.9 °F | 71.9 °F | 9.7 mph | 2.01 in | 11 hr 20 min |
| November | 65.7 °F | 53.2 °F | 63.8 °F | 9.3 mph | 1.71 in | 10 hr 26 min |
| December | 57.1 °F | 44.2 °F | 54.4 °F | 8.7 mph | 3.09 in | 9 hr 58 min |
Season markers
- Dog restriction window: From May 1 through Labor Day, dogs may not use the beach from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Read the beach rules guide and the town beach rules (opens in a new tab).
- Beach equipment overnight window: Year-round, equipment may not remain on the public beach from 9:00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. Read the beach rules guide and the town beach equipment rules (opens in a new tab).
- Atlantic hurricane season: June 1 through November 30. Check the National Hurricane Center season dates (opens in a new tab) and the Surfside Beach hurricane season record by month.
- Farmers Market season: Tuesdays, May–December. Check the events calendar.
Trip timing questions
- When is the ocean warmest in Surfside Beach?
- July has the warmest average water temperature at 84.1 °F.
- When does the ocean first average 80 degrees or warmer?
- The water first averages 80 °F or warmer in July, at 84.1 °F.
- Which month is the windiest?
- July has the highest average wind speed at 11.6 mph.
- Which month has the most daylight?
- June has the longest average daylight at 14 hr 21 min.
- When is the air warmest in Surfside Beach?
- July has the warmest average high at 84.7 °F.
- Which month brings the most rain?
- August brings the most rain at 10.42 inches on average.
- Which month brings the least rain?
- November brings the least rain at 1.71 inches on average.
- Which month brings the most tropical systems?
- September carries the most tropical systems: 19 within 60 miles of Surfside Beach from 1950 through 2024.
- Source: NOAA National Hurricane Center HURDAT2 Atlantic best track file (opens in a new tab)
- Which month has the most high tide flooding?
- September holds 15 of the 41 minor days at Springmaid Pier from 2022 through 2025.
- Source: NOAA station 8661070 at Springmaid Pier (opens in a new tab)