"What about the weather?"
Our goal is to provide a safe and enjoyable experience. If the weather is unsafe, we won't go out. (For example: unavoidable high winds or nearby lightning). When foul weather does threaten, we keep a close eye on the radar and the skies. If it's suitable to head out, but then threatening conditions appear during a trip, we'll act quickly to adjust our course and head to safer waters or land as appropriate. If we cancel a trip or end early due to unfavorable weather, you will not be charged for lost time, and we'll offer the opportunity to reschedule.
Here's more on Lowcountry weather that might help in planning your trip with Live Oac or your visit to the Lowcountry:
Rain and Thunderstorms
At times, the weather might be safe, but still hold
the potential for an
unenjoyable experience
if you are not prepared, in which case we'll
let you know and give you the option to cancel.
Some of our best nature experiences have been
during or after a rain shower, but that's
"comfortable" for us. If it's not comfortable for
you, we understand. If there is any
question about the forecast for the scheduled time
of your trip, please contact us. We'll do our best
to adjust the schedule or otherwise cancel the trip
at no charge. Remember, we want to make sure you
have a great experience with Live Oac!
A word of experience relating to the summer forecast: If you check out the Weather Channel or any other forecast during a typical July or August day, and you'll most likely see something like "hot, humid, with a chance of afternoon thunderstorms." This is the typical forecast 90% of the time during mid to late summer, and that's not an exaggeration.
For this reason, we encourage you to consider scheduling your trip prior to 1 PM or after 6 PM if it's during July or August. This is the hottest, most humid time of day in the height of the Lowcountry summer, and it's not the ideal time to be floating on the water. Please also consider the extreme UV rays overhead and reflected off the water. Again, our focus is to provide our clients with an experience that is both safe and enjoyable, and that's why we provide you with these details up front.
A word of experience relating to the summer forecast: If you check out the Weather Channel or any other forecast during a typical July or August day, and you'll most likely see something like "hot, humid, with a chance of afternoon thunderstorms." This is the typical forecast 90% of the time during mid to late summer, and that's not an exaggeration.
For this reason, we encourage you to consider scheduling your trip prior to 1 PM or after 6 PM if it's during July or August. This is the hottest, most humid time of day in the height of the Lowcountry summer, and it's not the ideal time to be floating on the water. Please also consider the extreme UV rays overhead and reflected off the water. Again, our focus is to provide our clients with an experience that is both safe and enjoyable, and that's why we provide you with these details up front.
Temperature, Skies, Wind, and Outlook
Tides
The tides play an important part in the Lowcountry's
saltmarsh estuary ecosystem.
Tides can affect wildlife behavior, the availability of certain waterways, and also help determine the best schedule for specific types of programs.
Because the tidal schedule shifts forward almost an hour each day, this allows for great variety in the saltmarsh, and flexibility for scheduling adventures!
There are two high tides and two low tides daily, with an average spread of 6 hours 12 minutes 25 seconds between high and low tides (and vice versa). Certain environmental factors, including wind and pressure systems, can affect the tide schedule and water depths, but it's mostly a very predictable process.
Keep in mind that the exact time given for "high" tide or "low" tide is simply the prediction for the turning point in the tidal process for a specific location. There is great variation geographically. And just because the time for high tide is given at 5:15 PM, for example, doesn't mean the tide isn't "high" at 6 o'clock. The water level stays considerably high for the hours prior and after the given scheduled tidal mark. The major depth changes occur within the hours midway between high and low tides.
Here are selections of local tide charts for some of the areas Live Oac explores. Click on the appropriate location to view tide chart and graphical interpretation. If you use Apple iCal (Mac OS) or Mozilla Sunbird (Windows or Mac) for calendaring, you can click on the appropriate "subscribe" or "download" link on that page, and the entire tide chart for the list will be added as a new calendar in your program.
Tide Chart for Live Oac dock on Skull Creek at Hilton Head Harbor (N 32˚13', W 80˚46')
Other nearby locations:
Tide Chart for Broad Creek Hilton Head Island at Cross Island Boat Ramp
Tide Chart for Backcountry Daufuskie Island's Webb Tract Creek off Cooper River
Tide Chart for Haig Point Lighthouse at Cooper River entrance Daufuskie Island
Tide Chart for South Beach Hilton Head Island at Braddock Point
Tide Chart for Marshside Mama's at Daufuskie Landing on New River
Tide Chart for May River and Historic Bluffton
Tide Chart for Moreland Landing at Palmetto Bluff
Tide Chart for Pinckney Island at Mackay Creek and Chechessee River confluence
More Lowcountry Tides...
Tides can affect wildlife behavior, the availability of certain waterways, and also help determine the best schedule for specific types of programs.
Because the tidal schedule shifts forward almost an hour each day, this allows for great variety in the saltmarsh, and flexibility for scheduling adventures!
There are two high tides and two low tides daily, with an average spread of 6 hours 12 minutes 25 seconds between high and low tides (and vice versa). Certain environmental factors, including wind and pressure systems, can affect the tide schedule and water depths, but it's mostly a very predictable process.
Keep in mind that the exact time given for "high" tide or "low" tide is simply the prediction for the turning point in the tidal process for a specific location. There is great variation geographically. And just because the time for high tide is given at 5:15 PM, for example, doesn't mean the tide isn't "high" at 6 o'clock. The water level stays considerably high for the hours prior and after the given scheduled tidal mark. The major depth changes occur within the hours midway between high and low tides.
Here are selections of local tide charts for some of the areas Live Oac explores. Click on the appropriate location to view tide chart and graphical interpretation. If you use Apple iCal (Mac OS) or Mozilla Sunbird (Windows or Mac) for calendaring, you can click on the appropriate "subscribe" or "download" link on that page, and the entire tide chart for the list will be added as a new calendar in your program.
Tide Chart for Live Oac dock on Skull Creek at Hilton Head Harbor (N 32˚13', W 80˚46')
Other nearby locations:
Tide Chart for Broad Creek Hilton Head Island at Cross Island Boat Ramp
Tide Chart for Backcountry Daufuskie Island's Webb Tract Creek off Cooper River
Tide Chart for Haig Point Lighthouse at Cooper River entrance Daufuskie Island
Tide Chart for South Beach Hilton Head Island at Braddock Point
Tide Chart for Marshside Mama's at Daufuskie Landing on New River
Tide Chart for May River and Historic Bluffton
Tide Chart for Moreland Landing at Palmetto Bluff
Tide Chart for Pinckney Island at Mackay Creek and Chechessee River confluence
More Lowcountry Tides...
Sun & Moon
Sunsets are our some of our most popular trips. We also offer full moon trips during the appropriate days of the month. FYI, the full moon rises just at sunset on the day cited as the "Full Moon" and rises about an hour later on each successive day (and likewise it's up prior to sunset on the days just prior to the "Full Moon".) There are typically 4-5 days that we can offer moonlight excursions during the hours following sunset. These are ideal evenings for Shark Fishing, too!
