Hilton Head Island Weather in August
Warm water, humid days and afternoon storms, with the crowds thinning once schools go back.
- Avg. high
- 89°F
- Avg. low
- 72°F
- Rain
- 6.5 in.
- Ocean
- 85°F
- Sunrise
- 6:48 a.m.
- Sunset
- 8:07 p.m.
Average temps and rain for Hilton Head Island, SC; ocean temperature from NOAA’s Fort Pulaski gauge; sunrise and sunset on August 15.
What August feels like on Hilton Head
The average temperature in August is 89°F for highs and 72°F for lows, with about 6.5 inches of rain, and the ocean averages 85°F.
August is warm and humid, and the wettest month on the chart at about 6.5 inches, usually as brief afternoon thunderstorms that clear out fast. The water stays in the mid-80s. It is also the start of the busiest part of hurricane season, so it is worth reading your rental or resort’s cancellation terms.
Whole rainy days are uncommon unless a tropical system is nearby; most days have a dry morning and a stormy hour after lunch.
Schools in much of the Southeast start in early to mid-August, so the second half of the month is often quieter than July.
Sunrise and sunset in August
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 1 | 6:38 a.m. | 8:20 p.m. | 13 hr 42 min |
| Aug 15 | 6:48 a.m. | 8:07 p.m. | 13 hr 20 min |
| Aug 31 | 6:58 a.m. | 7:49 p.m. | 12 hr 51 min |
Eastern time, calculated for the island with NOAA’s solar equations. Daylight runs from 13 hr 42 min on Aug 1 to 12 hr 51 min on Aug 31. For today’s times and the next two weeks, see the live weather page.
What’s on in Hilton Head in August
The last weeks of summer: HarbourFest’s Tuesday fireworks run to mid-August and its shows to Labor Day weekend, and Gregg Russell plays his last summer concerts.
Read the guideHarbourFest’s weekly fireworks over the water at Shelter Cove Harbour, plus the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve shows.
Read the guideThe summer series at Shelter Cove Harbour: family shows on the harbour stage and fireworks over the water on Tuesday nights.
Read the guideFree family concerts under the Liberty Oak in Harbour Town, Monday to Thursday evenings through the summer, as they have been for more than 40 seasons.
Dates move a little each year. For this year’s dates and everything else on, see the Hilton Head events calendar, which lists every event month by month.
Things to do on Hilton Head in August
Mornings and evenings are the time for kayaking and fishing. The peak of hurricane season runs from August through October, so read your rental’s cancellation terms and keep an eye on the tropics.
What to pack for Hilton Head in August
Light clothes, swimsuits, sunscreen, a hat, bug spray and a rain jacket or umbrella. If a storm is forecast, keep travel plans flexible.
Hilton Head in August: questions
What is the weather like in Hilton Head in August?
The average high is 89°F and the average low 72°F, with about 6.5 inches of rain. The ocean averages 85°F (NOAA, Fort Pulaski gauge).
Is August hurricane season on Hilton Head?
Yes. Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, and this coast’s risk is greatest from August through October. Most Augusts pass without a storm, but book with flexible terms.
How warm is the water in Hilton Head in August?
In the mid-80s on average, the warmest of the year along with July.
Hilton Head weather in other months
To compare all 12 months in one table, with the live forecast, radar and water temperature, see Hilton Head weather by month, and for help choosing dates, the best time to visit Hilton Head.
Keep exploring
The Barber Shop in Bluffton, SC: a family-run, old-school barbershop at Berkeley Place with eight barbers and walk-ins. Hours and phone.
Straightedge Barbershop in The Promenade, Bluffton, SC: straight-edge shaves and current cuts, booked on The Cut app.
Hilton Head weather in September: highs in the mid-80s, ocean near 81, hurricane season, sunrise and sunset, the Island Jam and what to pack.
Hilton Head weather in October: highs in the upper 70s, low humidity, ocean in the low 70s, sunrise and sunset, fall festivals and what to pack.
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