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The Johns Islander

Curated by Mike Olson · eXp Realty

Online · Johns Island, SC · Seabrook · Kiawah

Live oaks with Spanish moss over palmettos in the maritime forest on Seabrook Island

Guest guide · Seabrook Island

Your Seabrook Island guide

Today's tide and the inlet's no-swim window, the beach and its dog zones, where to eat, things to do with kids, the rules and who to call — each line from the official page named beside it.

Last verified

Photo: chucka_nc, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (resized)

Your island guide

Staying on Seabrook Island?

Today’s tide and sunset are below, then the beach, places to eat, things to do with kids, the island rules and who to call. Add this page to your home screen and it opens like an app — no download, and it keeps working offline.

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Seabrook's 3.6 miles of beach are private, behind the SIPOA gate, and guests with a visitor pass go straight through — ask your host for yours. Captain Sams Inlet is closed to swimming from 2 hours before to 2 hours after every low tide, and whenever dolphins are there — today's times are below.

Live on your phone · check it each morning

Today on Seabrook

Island Today

 

Weather

Asking the National Weather Service…

National Weather Service, Charleston

Tide · Kiawah River

Asking NOAA…

NOAA station 8667062, feet above mean lower low water

Sun & moon

Worked out on your device (NOAA solar method)

Dolphins · Captain Sams Inlet

Asking NOAA…

Town of Kiawah Island · Town of Seabrook Island

The ocean

— water

Asking the buoys…

Water: NOAA Charleston Harbor. Waves: NOAA buoys; forecast: NWS. Wind —.

High water watch

Asking NOAA…

At the Charleston Harbor gauge, the National Weather Service counts minor coastal flooding from 7.0 ft, moderate from 7.5 ft and major from 8.0 ft.

NOAA predictions, station 8665530; flood levels set by the National Weather Service

On Seabrook today

Captain Sams Inlet — no swimming

…

Captain Sams Inlet is closed to swimming from 2 hours before to 2 hours after low tide, and whenever dolphins are there.

Source: Town of Seabrook Island, dolphin education program

Sea turtles and dogs

Sea turtle nesting season runs May 1 to October 31.

…

Source: Town of Seabrook Island, June 2026 newsletter (PDF) · Town of Seabrook Island, beach rules · Town of Seabrook Island, beach rules

Rip currents

Today's beach forecast and rip current risk (National Weather Service) →

Check it each morning before you swim.

Getting on the sand

The beach

Getting through the gate

  • Ask your host for your visitor pass. Owners with a bar code and guests with a visitor pass go straight through; anyone else calls SIPOA at (843) 768-0061.
  • Guest amenity cards open the SIPOA Lake House and Club facilities to renters: request a digital QR code 48 hours ahead, or pick up a card at 1101 Landfall Way. The amenity desk: (843) 768-3942.

Sources: Town of Seabrook Island, visitor information · SIPOA, visitors & guests, checked October 13, 2026.

The beach

  • 3.6 miles of private beach behind the Seabrook Island Property Owners Association (SIPOA) gate.
  • Use the SIPOA boardwalks and beach accesses only, and stay off the primary dune.

Sources: Town of Seabrook Island, visitor information · Town of Seabrook Island, beach rules, checked October 13, 2026.

Captain Sams Inlet and the dolphins

  • No swimming in Captain Sams Inlet from 2 hours before to 2 hours after low tide — timed to NOAA's Kiawah River station, the one this guide reads — or any time dolphins are in the inlet. If dolphins arrive, leave the water.
  • Watch strand-feeding dolphins from at least 45 ft (15 yds) from the water line; boats stay 50 yds off. Town penalty: $500 and/or up to 30 days.

Sources: Town of Seabrook Island, dolphin education program · Seabrook Island Town Code §32-43 (Municode), checked October 13, 2026.

The full beach rulebook — parking, the Gold Pass, dogs (and whether they can be off-leash right now) and alcohol: beach access.

Coming in by Uber, Lyft or taxi, or getting around by golf cart, LSV or e-bike? The gate rules and getting around, island by island.

From the island directory

Eat, shop, rent, golf

Listed A to Z, never ranked — nobody pays to be here. Tap Directions for the live hours.

Where to eat12
Groceries, wine & spirits6
Coffee & treats2
Bikes, beach gear & boats7
Golf8
  • Crooked Oaks (Seabrook Island Club)Seabrook IslandMembers onlyBehind the security gate

    Robert Trent Jones Sr. course, par 72; Club members and their guests (guests book up to 3 days ahead).

    DirectionsWebsite

    Source: seabrookisland.com

  • Ocean Winds (Seabrook Island Club)Seabrook IslandMembers onlyBehind the security gate

    Willard Byrd course, par 72; Club members and their guests, with mornings for members only.

    DirectionsWebsite

    Source: seabrookisland.com

  • Cougar Point Golf CourseKiawah IslandBehind the security gate

    Gary Player course near the resort's front gate; open to the public, tee times by phone.

    DirectionsCallWebsite

    Source: kiawahresort.com

  • Osprey Point Golf CourseKiawah IslandBehind the security gate

    Tom Fazio course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort; open to the public, tee times by phone.

    DirectionsCallWebsite

    Source: kiawahresort.com

  • The Golf Learning CenterKiawah IslandBehind the security gate

    Golf lessons, clinics and schools at Kiawah Island Golf Resort.

    DirectionsCallWebsite

    Source: kiawahresort.com

  • The Ocean CourseKiawah IslandBehind the security gate

    Pete Dye course on the island's east end; Kiawah Island Golf Resort's courses are open to the public.

    DirectionsCallWebsite

    Source: kiawahresort.com

  • Turtle Point Golf CourseKiawah IslandBehind the security gate

    Jack Nicklaus course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort; open to the public, tee times by phone.

    DirectionsCallWebsite

    Source: kiawahresort.com

  • Oak Point Golf CourseJohns Island

    Clyde Johnston course run by Kiawah Island Golf Resort; open to the public, tee times by phone.

    DirectionsCallWebsite

    Source: kiawahresort.com

Everything else — pharmacies, pets, fishing charters, home services — is in the island directory.

Who can use each one is on its card

Things to do with kids

  • Watch the dolphins strand-feed

    Anyone on the beach

    Dolphins strand-feed near Captain Sams Inlet. Watch from at least 45 ft (15 yds) back from the water line, and never touch, chase or feed them.

    Source: Town of Seabrook Island, dolphin education program, checked October 13, 2026.

  • Go crabbing

    Anyone

    With 3 or fewer drop nets, fold-up traps or hookless lines, no fishing license is needed.

    Source: SC hunting & fishing licenses (eRegulations), checked October 13, 2026.

  • Seabrook Island Equestrian Center

    Members only · behind the security gate

    Guided trail and beach rides by reservation (beach rides 12+), plus boarding.

    Source: seabrookisland.com, checked October 13, 2026.

    DirectionsCallWebsite

  • Bohicket Boat Rentals

    Open to the public

    Half- and full-day boat rentals plus single and tandem kayaks from Bohicket Marina.

    Source: bohicket.com, checked October 13, 2026.

    DirectionsCallSee rentals

  • St Johns Kayaks & Boat Tours

    Open to the public

    Kayak and paddle tours, plus shelling, crabbing, shrimping and fishing boat trips.

    Source: stjohnskayaks.com, checked October 13, 2026.

    DirectionsCallWebsite

  • Camp Kiawah

    Open to the public · behind the security gate

    Resort day camps for ages 3–15 and Kid's Night Out; reservations required, open to non-guests at a standard rate.

    Source: kiawahresort.com, checked October 13, 2026.

    DirectionsCallWebsite

  • The Treehouse Activity Center

    Open to the public · behind the security gate

    Bowling, golf simulators, arcade, art studio and nature center; visitors not staying show a reservation at the gate.

    On Kiawah: visitors from off the island book an activity and show the confirmation email at the Kiawah gate; bookings open 60 days ahead.

    Source: kiawahresort.com, checked October 13, 2026.

    DirectionsCallWebsite
Bottlenose dolphins strand feeding at the water's edge on Seabrook Island

Watch strand feeding from 45 ft back.

Photo: chucka_nc, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (resized)

What a renter needs to know

Island rules

How many can stay

  • 2 people per code-compliant bedroom, plus 2 — children under 2 aren't counted.
  • Overnight vehicles: 1 per bedroom, never fewer than 2 or more than 4, and only as many as there are spaces. A rental's ads must show its Town permit number.

Sources: Town of Seabrook Island, short-term rentals · Seabrook Island Development Standards §9.4 (Municode), checked October 13, 2026.

Dogs on the beach

  • Red — Boardwalk #1 (Community Center) northeast to Captain Sams Inlet: No pets at any time.
  • Yellow — about 300 yds northwest of Boardwalk #9 (Pelican Watch) to Privateer Creek: Leashed at all times.
  • Green — the rest: Apr 1–Sep 30 leashed 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Oct 1–Mar 31 off-leash if under effective control.
  • Leash 16 ft or shorter, held by a person; an e-collar counts as off-leash; pick up after your dog.

Source: Town of Seabrook Island, beach rules, checked October 13, 2026.

Sea turtles

  • Nesting season runs May 1 to October 31. Harming or disturbing sea turtles, their eggs, nests or hatchlings is a Town offense.
  • Fill holes and flatten castles before you leave, and take your gear off the beach at night — gear left after sunset counts as abandoned.

Sources: Town of Seabrook Island, June 2026 newsletter (PDF) · Town of Seabrook Island, beach rules · Seabrook Island Town Code §§32-43, 32-50 (Municode), checked October 13, 2026.

On the sand

  • No motor vehicles, fires (unless SIPOA approves), grills, fireworks, glass, overnight gear or commercial activity on the beach; stay off the primary dune except at the accesses.
  • Fines: Up to $1,087.50 per offense, court fees included.

Sources: Town of Seabrook Island, beach rules · Seabrook Island Town Code §§32-41 to 32-57 (Municode), checked October 13, 2026.

Drones

  • No one may launch or land a drone in Town — the beach included, out to a mile offshore — without an FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate.

Source: Seabrook Island Town Code §18-24 (Municode), checked October 13, 2026.

Scooters and bikes

  • SIPOA's rental guidance bars motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, go-carts and motorized skateboards on its roads. Class 1 pedal-assist bikes are allowed.

Source: Town of Seabrook Island, short-term rental packet (PDF), checked October 13, 2026.

Feeding wildlife

  • Feeding or harassing dolphins can bring federal penalties up to $100,000.
  • Feeding alligators is illegal in South Carolina.

Sources: Town of Seabrook Island, dolphin education program · SCDNR, nuisance alligators, checked October 13, 2026.

Fishing and crabbing

  • Anyone 16 or older needs a South Carolina saltwater fishing license, and it covers clams and oysters too.
  • No license is needed on a licensed public pier, on a charter you've hired, or with 3 or fewer drop nets, fold-up crab traps or hookless lines.

Sources: SC hunting & fishing licenses (eRegulations) · SCDNR, buy a license, checked October 13, 2026.

Hazards, and who to call

Safety

Emergency room and urgent care

  • MUSC Health Emergency Room – Kiawah Partners PavilionSeabrook Island Rd

    24-hour freestanding emergency room on Seabrook Island Road; the building also holds MUSC doctors' offices.

    DirectionsCallWebsite

    Source: euc.muschealth.org

  • Roper St. Francis Express Care – Maybank HwyMaybank Hwy

    Walk-in urgent care.

    DirectionsCallWebsite

    Source: rsfh.com

Rip currents

  • Check the National Weather Service's Charleston beach forecast each morning — it rates the day's rip current risk.
  • Caught in one? The Weather Service's page shows how to get out.

Sources: National Weather Service Charleston, beach forecast · National Weather Service, rip currents, checked October 13, 2026.

Lightning

  • When a storm builds, get off the beach and out of the water.

Source: National Weather Service, lightning safety, checked October 13, 2026.

Cuts and salt water

  • Keep open cuts out of salt and brackish water — Vibrio bacteria can infect wounds. See a doctor fast if a wound turns red or swollen after a swim.

Source: CDC, Vibrio and wounds, checked October 13, 2026.

Beach Patrol

  • Barrier Island Ocean Rescue patrols the beach daily April 1 – September 30, 2026. Its staff are certified open-water lifeguards and handle first aid and jellyfish stings.

Source: Town of Seabrook Island, Beach Patrol, checked October 13, 2026.

Hurricanes (June 1 – November 30)

  • Seabrook is Evacuation Zone A, among the first areas called to leave.
  • The Town asks renters to settle storm-prep duties with the owner ahead of time, and to call the owner if an evacuation looks likely. Come back only after the Town's All Clear — information line (888) 314-3177.

Sources: Town of Seabrook Island, emergency guide (PDF) · SCEMD, 2026 evacuation zones (PDF), checked October 13, 2026.

Going out on a boat, a kayak or a paddleboard? The five rules for every trip on the water.

More from the guide

Beach access →Beachwalker parking by month, the Gold Pass, Seabrook's rulesThe island directory →Every place, with its sourceFlood zone →FEMA's zone for any addressKiawah Island guide →The same guide, for Kiawah IslandJohns Island guide →The same guide, for Johns IslandWadmalaw Island guide →The same guide, for Wadmalaw IslandExcursions →Dolphin, sunset, shelling and kayak trips, A to ZGetting here and around →The airports, the gates, carts, LSVs, e-bikes and shuttlesFarms and stands →The farms you can visit or buy from on Johns Island and WadmalawSea Island Farmers Market →When and where it runsThe Johns Island tomato →The story, and where to buy them nowOwn or manage a rental? →Make a free printable guest card for it

Keep going

Sunrise over wet sand at low tide on Seabrook Island

Photo: See1,Do1,Teach1, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (resized)

Two ways in

Talk it through with Mike, or ask Val — the guide’s AI assistant, answering from this site’s sourced facts.

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