Month guide · Charleston · United States
Charleston in August
What August is really like in Charleston: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Dima Sergiyenko; Please attribute this image as the work of " DiscoverWithDima .", CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
August is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 32°C (90°F), lows of 23°C (73°F), about 14 rainy days and roughly 13.3 hours of daylight. Steamy and stormy, with hurricane risk building; summer family crowds thin out after mid-month as schools return.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 32°C (90°F) / 23°C (73°F)
- Rainy days
- About 14
- Daylight
- About 13.3 hours
- Sea temperature
- 29°C (84°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in August
August is the 2nd-warmest month in Charleston: days average 32°C (90°F) against a yearly average high of 25°C (77°F), and nights fall to about 23°C (73°F). Rain falls on roughly 14 of its 31 days. Compared with July (33°C (91°F)), August is about as warm; by September highs drop to around 29°C (84°F).
- Sunrise (15 August)
- About 06:43
- Sunset (15 August)
- About 20:05
- Daylight
- About 13.3 hours
- Sea
- 29°C (84°F)
Summer (June–August). Hot and humid with daily afternoon storms; beaches, warm sea and evening dining on Shem Creek make up for midday heat.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, August rates 3 for crowds (the peak is April at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in April). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in August
August has no major recurring festival in Charleston, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in August
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Garden · Ashley River Road
Middleton Place
About 25 km northwest of downtown, Middleton Place has formal terraced gardens laid out from the 1740s, with butterfly-shaped lakes stepping down to the Ashley River.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- History
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Photo spot
Garden · Ashley River Road
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
Take the nature train or boat tour around the former rice fields to see wading birds and alligators.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Nature
- Outdoors
- History
- Kids
- Photo spot
Nature · Johns Island
Angel Oak
A Southern live oak on Johns Island, about 20 km from downtown, estimated to be several hundred years old, with limbs that sprawl along the ground and shade a huge area.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Kids
Historic site · Sullivan's Island
Fort Moultrie
Pair it with a swim at Sullivan's Island and dinner at Shem Creek on the drive back.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Kids
The sea averages 29°C (84°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Charleston.
What to pack
For highs near 32°C, lows near 23°C and 14 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is August a good time to visit Charleston?
A quieter month with trade-offs. If your dates are flexible, March–May and October–November are better overall. Compare every month.
Charleston in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is August a good time to visit Charleston?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Steamy and stormy, with hurricane risk building; summer family crowds thin out after mid-month as schools return.
+How warm is Charleston in August?
Average highs are around 32°C (90°F) and lows around 23°C (73°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Charleston in August?
Expect rain on about 14 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.