Winter in Hilton Head, SC: Weather, Events and What’s Open
Hilton Head in winter is mild and quiet: afternoons around 60°, nights near 40°, and the ocean in the 50s. It is too cold for a swim but fine for golf, bike rides and long beach walks, and it is the cheapest time of year to come.
Hilton Head Winter Weather, Month by Month
| Month | High / low | Ocean | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| December | 63° / 43° | 58° | 3.1 in |
| January | 60° / 40° | 53° | 3.4 in |
| February | 63° / 42° | 56° | 3.2 in |
Hilton Head weather in December: highs in the low 60s, lows near 43, ocean temperature, sunrise and sunset, holiday lights and things to do.
Hilton Head weather in January: average highs near 60, lows near 40, ocean temperature, sunrise and sunset, what is open and what to pack.
Weather on Hilton Head Island in February: highs in the low 60s, ocean temperature, sunrise and sunset, the Seafood Festival and what to pack.
Average highs and lows in °F, with the average ocean temperature and rainfall. January is the coolest month of the year. Is South Carolina warm in the winter? On the coast it is mild rather than warm: afternoons in the low 60s, cool enough for a jacket on a bike ride, and nights near 40. Sunny winter days are common.
Snow is rare. The island had about 4.5 inches on January 3, 2018, and about 3 to 3.5 inches on January 22, 2025, its first since 2018; most winters pass without any. See snow on Hilton Head. Days are short: around the solstice the sun sets at about 5:20 p.m. Pack layers, a warm jacket for evenings by the water, and a rain shell.
Things to Do on Hilton Head in Winter
Golf. Cool, sunny days suit a round without the summer heat, and golfers on a budget like the cooler months. See Hilton Head golf.
Bike rides. Winter is a comfortable time to ride the island’s paths without the summer heat. See biking on Hilton Head.
Beach walks with the dog. From October through March dogs can be on the beach at any hour, on a leash or under voice control. See dog-friendly beaches.
Dolphins. Bottlenose dolphins live in the creeks and sounds all year, and the cruises keep running. See dolphin tours.
Fishing. Redfish and trout in clear, low water, and sheepshead around the docks and pilings. See Hilton Head fishing.
Oysters. South Carolina’s recreational shellfish season runs from October 1 to May 15, so winter is oyster season.
The water is too cold for most swimmers: the ocean averages 53° in January. A winter freeze can also chill the creeks enough to stun young sea turtles; see cold-stunned sea turtles for what to do if you find one.
Winter Events
Christmas lights
Shelter Cove’s harbour lights, the town tree lighting on the first Saturday of December, and holiday wagon rides in Sea Pines. See Christmas lights.
New Year
New Year’s Eve in Harbour Town, then the Polar Plunge into the ocean at Coligny Beach at 10:30 a.m. on New Year’s Day. See Polar Plunge.
Gullah Celebration
A month of Gullah food, music, art and storytelling at venues around the island. See Gullah Celebration.
Seafood Festival
A week of chef dinners, tastings and trips on the water in the last full week of February. See Seafood Festival.
What’s Open in Winter
The island doesn’t close for the winter, but it slows down. Some restaurants and shops cut their hours, so call ahead or check before you drive over. The busy weeks are Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s; the quietest stretch is January.
No lifeguards. The beach season, with lifeguards at the main beach parks, runs April 1 to September 30.
Lower rates. Rentals and hotels are at their cheapest from December through February, except the holiday weeks.
Dogs welcome on the beach at any hour from October through March.
Spending the Winter on Hilton Head
Many people spend a month or the whole winter here. Island rental companies rent homes and villas by the month, mostly from fall through early spring, and the rules and taxes change once a stay passes 30 and 90 days. See monthly and winter rentals for the companies that offer them. For a shorter trip, the best time to visit Hilton Head compares winter with the other seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hilton Head like in winter?
Mild, quiet and cheap. Highs are around 60° from December through February, nights are near 40°, and the ocean is in the 50s. Golf, biking, dolphin cruises and beach walks carry on; swimming doesn’t.
Is South Carolina warm in the winter?
On the coast it is mild rather than warm. Hilton Head averages highs of 60° to 63° in December, January and February, with lows around 40° to 43°.
Can you swim on Hilton Head in winter?
Only if you are brave. The ocean averages 58° in December, 53° in January and 56° in February. The Polar Plunge on New Year’s Day is the island’s one big winter swim.
Does it snow on Hilton Head?
Rarely. About 4.5 inches fell on January 3, 2018, and about 3 to 3.5 inches on January 22, 2025. Most winters bring none.
Is Hilton Head worth visiting in the winter?
Yes, if you want quiet and low rates more than a beach day. It is the cheapest season, the golf courses and bike paths are uncrowded, and the holiday lights and February festivals give it some life.
Are dogs allowed on Hilton Head beaches in winter?
Yes. From October through March dogs can be on the beach at any time of day, on a leash or under voice control.
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