Pool season · State index
South Carolina Pool Season 2026: Opening & Closing Dates by City
Last updated: July 25, 2026 · 12 cities covered
Both halves of the pool year for all 12 covered South Carolina cities. The median calendar runs March 26 to November 4. Every row links to a one-page season overview with the live water-temperature model; the opening and closing hubs carry the full checklists.
South Carolina: a long-season pool state| City | Open by | Close by | 80°F+ days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beaufort | Mar 11 | Nov 17 | 166 |
| Charleston | Mar 13 | Nov 21 | 132 |
| Columbia | Mar 25 | Nov 4 | 159 |
| Florence | Mar 21 | Nov 6 | 160 |
| Greenville | Apr 7 | Oct 22 | 109 |
| Mauldin | Apr 7 | Oct 22 | 109 |
| Mount Pleasant | Mar 23 | Nov 15 | 159 |
| Myrtle Beach | Apr 2 | Nov 5 | 131 |
| North Charleston | Mar 13 | Nov 15 | 164 |
| Rock Hill | Mar 28 | Oct 29 | 142 |
| Spartanburg | Apr 2 | Oct 25 | 142 |
| Sumter | Mar 28 | Oct 30 | 142 |
What the columns mean
"Open by" is the recommended spring date — two weeks before the city's 7-day mean temperature crosses 61°F, the model's proxy for water approaching the 65°F algae-growth zone. "Close by" is the fall deadline — ten days after the water leaves that zone, capped a week ahead of the local 50% first-freeze date. "80°F+ days" counts days whose normal high reaches 80°F: the length of the true warm-swim season, and the fairest single number for comparing South Carolina cities against each other.
Every figure comes from each city's own NOAA 1991–2020 normals station (named in its guide's footer), so neighboring cities can legitimately differ by a few days. The season overview linked from each row adds the live water-temperature model and the full-year season bar; the state hubs above carry the step-by-step checklists.
Swim-season length across South Carolina
The fairest way to compare South Carolina cities is the number of days with 80°F+ normal highs — the practical warm-swim season. Every bar links to that city's one-page season overview with the live water model.
South Carolina pool climate at a glance
Subtropical heat opens South Carolina pools by mid-spring and holds them open deep into fall, with coastal hurricane season the main threat to Lowcountry schedules. In model terms that makes South Carolina a long-season state. The spread shows up clearly on the local pages: compare Beaufort's pool season with Spartanburg's and the difference is measured in weeks, not days. Neighbors in the index run on their own normals too — see Rhode Island and South Dakota for the adjacent calendars.
South Carolina pool season FAQ
When do pools open in South Carolina?
Model openings in South Carolina run from March 11 in Beaufort to April 7 in Mauldin, with the statewide median on March 28. Each date is two weeks before that city's 7-day mean temperature crosses 61°F — early enough to start up in algae-cold water.
When should you close a pool in South Carolina?
The median South Carolina closing deadline is November 5, and every city's own deadline is capped a week ahead of its NOAA 50% first-freeze date. Closing late and cold beats closing early and warm — cool water holds its winter chemistry far better.
Which South Carolina city has the longest swim season?
Beaufort leads with 166 days of 80°F+ highs per year, while Mauldin brings up the rear at 109 days. The chart above ranks every covered city by the same metric.