Best time to visit South Carolina

March to May and September to November. Month by month below, with the weather, what's on and what it costs to fly there from your city.

March to May and September to November

Spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) are the most named. Summer suits beach days but is hot, crowded and the wettest on the coast.

“The time from March to the end of May is considered the best tourist season.” seasonsyear.com
“many locals and seasoned visitors alike will tell you that March through May are the best months to go to Myrtle Beach” montereybaysuites.com
“Spring is often considered the best time to go to Charleston SC for good reason.” yourpadbookings.com

5 of the 5 travel guides we read name these months.

South Carolina month by month

Average high and low in Charleston, and days with rain

January60°F / 39°F · 9 rainy daysChecking fares…Coastal winter lows are around 60F in December to February; Greenville and the Upcountry are colder.Myrtle Beach is at its least crowded in winter, though some restaurants and attractions run off-season hours.The Christmas Show of the South runs into January.Lowcountry Oyster Festival
February64°F / 42°F · 9 rainy daysChecking fares…Coastal winter lows are around 60F in December to February; Greenville and the Upcountry are colder.Myrtle Beach is at its least crowded in winter, though some restaurants and attractions run off-season hours.Charleston winters run 40s to 60s F with quiet streets.Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE) · Taste of the MarshWalk
Best timeMarch70°F / 47°F · 8 rainy daysChecking fares…Charleston Wine + Food Festival is in March.Already warm in Charleston, around 56 to 70F.March to the end of May is called the best tourist season, with little rain and plenty of sun.Charleston Wine + Food Festival · Can-Am Days
Best timeApril77°F / 55°F · 8 rainy daysChecking fares…Tornado risk is high in April.Spring tends to be the rainiest season, which another source contradicts.The Masters · Singing in the Sun
Best timeMay84°F / 63°F · 8 rainy daysChecking fares…Spoleto Festival runs late May to early June in Charleston.May is a shoulder month on the coast, with good weather and fewer tourists.Spoleto Festival USA · Myrtle Beach Classic
June89°F / 70°F · 12 rainy daysChecking fares…Hurricane season starts in June and runs to the end of November.Carolina Country Music Festival is in June in Myrtle Beach.June to August is peak season on the Grand Strand, and summer is the rainy season there.
July91°F / 74°F · 13 rainy daysChecking fares…July is the warmest month in Myrtle Beach, averaging 91 degrees.July is the busiest month in Myrtle Beach.
August90°F / 73°F · 13 rainy daysChecking fares…Charleston's August is the wettest summer month in this source, with 14 rainy days.Peak hurricane season begins at the end of August.
Best timeSeptember85°F / 68°F · 10 rainy daysChecking fares…Myrtle Beach cools down and is good for sunbathing and beach walks.Irish Italian International Festival and Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival are in September.After peak tourist season, dinner reservations are easier to get.
Best timeOctober78°F / 58°F · 7 rainy daysChecking fares…Charleston stays warm through October.Little River ShrimpFest is in October.Fall is described as a cooler version of summer, with warm temperatures and low humidity.Blue Ridge Parkway fall color
Best timeNovember69°F / 47°F · 7 rainy daysChecking fares…November is the driest month, with the lowest rainfall.Dickens Christmas Show & Festivals run in November.Oysters are on most coastal menus in fall.Charleston Literary Festival · Nights of a Thousand Candles
December63°F / 42°F · 9 rainy daysChecking fares…Holiday Festival of Lights in Charleston.Holiday light displays run from the weekend after Thanksgiving to year end.Nights of a Thousand Candles runs in December.

Weather: Charleston averages from NOAA (1961 to 1990 averages), as listed in its climate table on Wikipedia.

Every date to Charleston from your city

Live fares from your airport. Watch them and we alert you when they drop.

What's on in South Carolina

Festivals and seasons through the year

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

June to August (coast)Coastal towns get very crowded at the peak of summer, and July is the busiest month in Myrtle Beach.

Quietest

December to FebruaryMyrtle Beach is at its least crowded and winter has the best hotel deals.

Watch for

June to NovemberHurricane season; the peak runs from the end of August to October.
AprilOne source warns of a high chance of tornadoes.
June to AugustHeavy humidity, highs in the high 80s and 90s, and afternoon thunderstorms in Charleston.

Questions people ask

What is the busy season in Myrtle Beach?: June through August is peak season, and July is the busiest month.
What is the rainiest month in Myrtle Beach, SC?: One source says summer is the rainy season in Myrtle Beach, without naming a single month.
What is the weather like in Myrtle Beach in September?: September to November cools down and is described as delightful for sunbathing and beach walks.
What is the rainiest month in South Carolina?: In Charleston, August has the most rainy days in this source (14); November is the driest.

More about South Carolina

Best Places to Visit in South Carolina19 places

Best time to visit South Carolina

March to May and September to November

South Carolina month by month

Every date to Charleston from your city

What's on in South Carolina

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

Quietest

Watch for

Questions people ask

More about South Carolina

Best time to visit other places

Best time to visit South Carolina

March to May and September to November

South Carolina month by month

Every date to Charleston from your city

What's on in South Carolina

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

Quietest

Watch for

Questions people ask

More about South Carolina

Best time to visit other places