Hilton Head Island Weather in May
Beach season starts in May: warm days, warming water and lighter crowds than midsummer.
- Avg. high
- 82°F
- Avg. low
- 62°F
- Rain
- 3.1 in.
- Ocean
- 76°F
- Sunrise
- 6:25 a.m.
- Sunset
- 8:14 p.m.
Average temps and rain for Hilton Head Island, SC; ocean temperature from NOAA’s Fort Pulaski gauge; sunrise and sunset on May 15.
What May feels like on Hilton Head
The average temperature in May is 82°F for highs and 62°F for lows, with about 3.1 inches of rain, and the ocean averages 76°F.
May is the start of beach weather. Highs reach the low 80s, nights stay in the 60s, and the ocean warms to the mid-70s, warm enough for most people to get in. Humidity is still light compared to midsummer.
It is a strong month if you want real beach days without the July heat and the busiest crowds.
Rain stays light until the summer pattern of afternoon storms sets in around June.
By the end of May the weather feels like early summer, and the island fills up for Memorial Day weekend.
Sunrise and sunset in May
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 1 | 6:36 a.m. | 8:04 p.m. | 13 hr 27 min |
| May 15 | 6:25 a.m. | 8:14 p.m. | 13 hr 49 min |
| May 31 | 6:17 a.m. | 8:24 p.m. | 14 hr 7 min |
Eastern time, calculated for the island with NOAA’s solar equations. Daylight runs from 13 hr 27 min on May 1 to 14 hr 7 min on May 31. For today’s times and the next two weeks, see the live weather page.
What’s on in Hilton Head in May
Memorial Day weekend opens the summer: the Hilton Head Island Art Festival at Shelter Cove, the first night of HarbourFest and the first big beach weekend.
Read the guideMore than 150 juried artists and a craft marketplace along the promenade at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina. Free admission.
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 guideThe unofficial start of summer: the first big beach weekend, HarbourFest’s opening at Shelter Cove and the Art Festival. Expect busy roads and full beach lots.
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 May
Sea turtle nesting season starts May 1. From then until October 31, lights visible from the beach go off from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., and holes and sandcastles get filled in before you leave the beach.
From the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day, dogs are not allowed on the beach from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What to pack for Hilton Head in May
Swimsuits, shorts, sandals, sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. Add a light layer for evenings on the water and a rain jacket for the odd shower.
Hilton Head in May: questions
What is the weather like in Hilton Head in May?
The average high is 82°F and the average low 62°F, with about 3.1 inches of rain. The ocean averages 76°F (NOAA, Fort Pulaski gauge).
Is the water warm enough to swim in Hilton Head in May?
Yes, for most people. The ocean averages in the mid-70s and warms through the month.
What is the weather like at the end of May?
Like early summer: highs in the mid-80s, warm water and more humidity than earlier in the month. Memorial Day weekend is the first busy beach weekend.
When does sea turtle season start on Hilton Head?
May 1. Lights visible from the beach must be off from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. until October 31.
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
Barbers of the Lowcountry in Bluffton, SC: a vintage-style barbershop on Sherington Drive with straight razor shaves. Hours, phone and booking.
Belfair Barber in Bluffton, SC: a family-friendly barbershop on Oak Forest Road cutting for men, women and kids. Prices, hours and phone.
Hilton Head weather in June: highs in the upper 80s, ocean near 81, afternoon storms, sunrise and sunset, HarbourFest and what to pack.
Hilton Head weather in July: the hottest month, highs near 90, ocean in the mid-80s, sunrise and sunset, Fourth of July fireworks and what to pack.
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