Swellinfo Pawleys Island (2024)

FAQs

How big are the waves in Pawleys Island? ›

In South Carolina ghostlore, the Gray Man is a ghost reportedly seen on the coast of Pawleys Island, South Carolina that warns residents of coming severe storms and hurricanes.

The entire Town of Pawleys Island is in a flood hazard area. Maps of your specific location can be found at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Map Service Center.

No, there are no lifeguards on Pawleys Island, so you swim at your own risk. The main thing to be cautious of are rip tides which move parallel to the shore. Life rings are available at several public beach accesses. For updates about beach conditions click here.

Totally! Of all the great beaches in SC, none is better for surfing than Folly Beach, a natural barrier island just eight miles from Charleston. It lays claim to some of the biggest and most bodacious swells on the East Coast.

3.281′

Pawleys Island / Elevation

As a small narrow barrier island, the Town of Pawleys Island is particularly susceptible to hurricanes and storms. Unfortunately, some of us have been subjected to repeat flooding from storms in '87 and Hugo in '89.

Planting Tips in Pawleys Island, SC:

Pawleys Island's climate is typically warm and humid, falling within USDA Hardiness Zone 8a.

North Charleston, Moncks Corner and Goose Creek are pretty safe bets too but stay away from the lake areas. They call in the low country for a reason. You would need to look at the flood plane map to find the best spots.

Pawleys Island Demographics

White: 100% Black or African American: 0% Native American: 0% Asian: 0%

Why is it called Pawleys Island? ›

How did Pawleys Island get its name? Good question. Turns out the first European settler to develop plantations in the area was a guy named Percival Pawley, receiving federal land grants way back in the year 1711, and the town ended up with the last name of his sons George, Anthony, and Percival Jr.

This is one of the widest beaches in the area and is a local well kept secret. It's not nearly as crowded as Myrtle Beach and you can go out several hundred feet in the water before it gets deep so it's excellent for children to play. Love Pawleys Island Beach!

Two South Carolina beaches made Southern Living's recently released best places to surf in the South — Folly Beach and Pawleys Island.

Typically, wave pool waves are in the 1'-3' range and surf pool waves are in the 3'-8' range.