Isle of Palms Pier Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

The Isle of Palms Pier water temperature is rather cool (16 °C / 62 °F) and the air temperature will feel about the same. A good quality spring wetsuit with optional neoprene boots should suffice. No need for wetsuit gloves.

Map of current United States Surface Water Temperatures based on measurements from oceanographic satellites

Map of current United States Sea Water Temperature Anomalies (compared with long term averages at this time of year)

(click thumbnails to expand)

Below is a graph of Historical Sea Surface Temperature for Isle of Palms Pier. This has been derived from analysis of two decades of oceanographic satellite measurements of nearby open water. We have calculated the average water temperature variation around the year as well as the extremes that have been observed on each date.

All of the graphs for the surf breaks presented on Surf-Forecast.com are on the same scale to enable comparison between locations around the world.

Isle of Palms Pier sea temperatures peak in the range 26 to 29°C (79 to 84°F) on around the 23rd of July and are at their minimum on about the 9th of March, in the range 16 to 22°C (61 to 72°F). Year round warm sea temperatures at Isle of Palms Pier climb to their maximum in the fourth week of July. Even then a rash vest and board shorts should be fine for surfing at any time of year. The minimum Isle of Palms Pier sea temperatures in early to mid March require something like a 3/2mm fully sealed wetsuit.

Actual sea surface water temperatures close to shore at Isle of Palms Pier can vary by several degrees compared with these open water averages. This is especially true after heavy rain, close to river mouths or after long periods of strong offshore winds. Offshore winds cause colder deep water to replace surface water that has been warmed by the sun. Air temperature, wind-chill and sunshine should also be considered before deciding on the kind of wetsuit needed to stay warm when surfing at Isle of Palms Pier. Refer to our detailed weather forecasts for this information.

Latest surface water temperature for the entire globe. Click the image to view a larger version.