The Tide Timing Guide: When to Visit The Point for the Best Experience

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daily low tides — each one a window to visit

minutes before low tide is the ideal arrival

~3hr

usable window around each low tide

Free

NOAA publishes tide charts for Cherry Grove

Why tides matter more here than almost anywhere else

Most beaches are just beaches regardless of tide level. The Point is different. At low tide, a wide sandbar emerges from the water at the very tip of the island — a flat, walkable expanse of sand that simply doesn't exist when the tide is high. Pelicans land on it. Dolphins swim circles around it. Kids can wade out to where two bodies of water meet.

At high tide, that sandbar is under two feet of water. The beach narrows dramatically. You're standing at the tip of the island looking at the inlet, but there's no place to explore, no sandbar to walk, and the whole experience feels like something is missing — because it is.

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The most common mistake first-time visitors make: arriving at The Point without checking the tide first. They walk an hour, find a narrow beach with no sandbar, and assume that's just how it is. It's not. Come back at low tide and everything changes. If it's your first time at The Point, our complete first-timer's guide covers everything else you need to know before you go.

High tide vs. low tide: what's actually different

Cherry Grove sees roughly two high tides and two low tides every 24 hours, each shifted about 50 minutes later than the day before. The tidal range — the difference between high and low — is typically 4 to 6 feet at Cherry Grove Inlet. That's a significant change in water level over a relatively flat, sandy environment.

The Point at Low Tide

At low tide, the sandbar extends well beyond the tip. Wide, flat, and walkable in every direction.

The Point at High Tide

At high tide, the sandbar disappears. The beach narrows to a few feet at the very tip.

Here's what changes between high and low tide at The Point:

The sandbar: Fully exposed at low tide, completely submerged at high tide.
The beach width: At low tide you might have 60–80 feet of beach at the tip. At high tide, that can shrink to near nothing.
Wildlife access: Pelicans use the sandbar as a resting and feeding spot — it's only accessible to them (and you) at low tide.
Wading and swimming: The calm, shallow water on the inlet side at low tide is ideal for wading. At high tide, the water is deeper and the current stronger.
Photography: The sandbar creates dramatic compositions and reflections that only exist at low tide.

The 90-minute rule: the single best piece of advice

If you only remember one thing from this guide, make it this: arrive at The Point 90 minutes before low tide and stay for 90 minutes after. That's your three-hour window, and it's the best possible version of the experience.

Here's why the timing works:

90 minutes before low: The sandbar is just starting to emerge. The water is still retreating, which creates constantly shifting pools and channels. Great for photography and wildlife.
At low tide: Maximum sandbar exposure. This is the peak. Walk out as far as the sand goes, stand at the very tip where two bodies of water meet.
90 minutes after low: The sandbar is still mostly visible but the tide is beginning to return. The light has often shifted. A different, quieter version of the experience.

Don't wait until low tide to leave your rental. The walk to The Point from the main beach access is about a mile. If you leave at the exact moment of low tide, you'll arrive an hour later to find the tide already rising. Leave with enough time to be there before low.

How to read a tide chart for Cherry Grove

Tide charts look more complicated than they are. Here's what you actually need to know:

Time

Type

Height

What to do

6:14 AM

Low

0.3 ft

Arrive by 5:00 AM — sandbar fully exposed

12:42 PM

High

5.1 ft

Skip The Point — beach is narrow, sandbar gone

6:58 PM

Low

0.5 ft

Arrive by 5:30 PM — great for sunset light

1:15 AM

High

5.3 ft

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On a tide chart, you'll see predictions listed as H (High) and L (Low) with a time and a height in feet. The height is measured from Mean Lower Low Water — the lower of the two daily low tides averaged over time. The lower the number, the more sandbar you get.

A low tide of 0.5 ft or less is exceptional. Anything under 1.5 ft gives you a good sandbar. Above 2.5 ft and you'll see some sandbar but it'll be minimal. Above 3.5 ft at low tide, the sandbar may not appear at all.

What you'll see at each tide stage

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Tide stages move slowly. The water doesn't rush out all at once — it recedes gradually over about 6 hours from high to low, then returns over the next 6 hours. The fastest movement happens in the middle of each cycle, not at the extremes.

3 hours before low tide (dropping fast): The beach is still fairly narrow. You can visit and it's pleasant, but the sandbar hasn't started emerging yet. Good for a walk, not yet the full experience.

90 minutes before low (the sweet spot begins): The sandbar starts to appear. Pelicans arrive to stake out their spots. The inlet water begins to calm as the current slows. This is when photographers want to be set up.

At low tide: Peak. Maximum sandbar. You can walk out to the very tip where ocean and inlet meet. The water on the sound side is often completely calm. Dolphins frequently work the channel edges looking for fish pushed by the changing current.

90 minutes after low (still excellent): The tide is beginning to return but the sandbar is still mostly there. Crowds that arrived at low tide often start leaving — you sometimes have more space than at the peak. Light is shifting if it's a morning or afternoon visit.

3 hours after low (winding down): The sandbar is shrinking. Still worth the walk, but the window is closing. Plan to head back before it gets too high.

Best tide windows by season

The time of day that low tide falls changes throughout the year — and that matters a lot for how enjoyable the visit is. For a full picture of what each season actually looks like at The Point, see our seasonal guide.

Spring (Mar–May)

Low tides often fall in the morning and evening hours — ideal. Crowds are lighter than summer. Water is cool but the sandbar experience is fully intact. March in particular can be spectacular with calm weather and excellent shelling.

Summer (Jun–Aug)

Peak season. If the low tide falls in the morning (before 10 AM), you get the best of everything — low crowds, softer light, cooler temperatures. Midday low tides in July and August can be brutal in direct sun. Arrive early, bring extra water.

Fall (Sep–Nov)

The best-kept secret on the Grand Strand. September especially — warm water, dramatically lower crowds, and low tides that frequently fall in golden-hour light. If you're flexible on timing, plan a fall visit around a low tide below 0.8 ft.

Winter (Dec–Feb)

Cold, quiet, and rewarding. Winter low tides often expose more of the inlet floor than summer ones. Shelling is exceptional after storm activity. The Point is almost entirely yours. Dress in layers and time your visit for the warmest part of the day.

Where to check tide times before you visit

The most reliable source is NOAA — the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. They publish free tide predictions for stations all along the coast. For Cherry Grove Beach, the closest official station is:

NOAA Station 8661070 — Little River Inlet, SC

This is close enough that the predictions are accurate for The Point within a few minutes.

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Our live tide strip at the top of every page on this site pulls data directly from that NOAA station in real time. It tells you whether the tide is currently rising or falling, what the height is, and whether now is a good time to go. Check it before you head out.

Other solid options for tide charts:

Tide Chart app (iOS/Android) — set your location to Little River Inlet or Cherry Grove
Tides Near Me — simple, free, accurate
MyForecast.com — includes tide plus weather in one view
NOAA directly: tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov

One pro tip: Check the chart the night before your planned visit, not the morning of. Give yourself time to adjust your schedule if the best low tide window turns out to be early morning or late afternoon rather than midday.

Frequently asked questions

What if I can only go at high tide?

Still go. The walk itself is beautiful in every condition, and the view from the tip is always worth the trip. You just won't get the sandbar. If you can, plan for a second visit at low tide — seeing both is actually a worthwhile experience in itself.

How do I know if the sandbar will be visible?

Check the predicted low tide height on the NOAA chart. Anything below 1.5 ft gives a good sandbar. Below 0.8 ft is excellent — you'll have maximum exposure and the widest, flattest walking surface. Above 2.5 ft at low tide, the sandbar may be minimal or absent.

Is there a dangerous time to visit due to tides?

The incoming tide at The Point can move faster than it appears. Don't wade out far on the sandbar when the tide is rising — the water returns quickly and the inlet current can be strong. Always be aware of which direction the tide is moving, and head back to the main beach before it gets too high.

Are tide charts always accurate?

NOAA predictions are very accurate under normal conditions — typically within 10–15 minutes and a few tenths of a foot. Strong onshore winds can push water in faster (raising tide levels temporarily), and offshore winds can do the opposite. After a storm, the actual water level may vary more from predictions.

When is the best low tide for photography?

A low tide that coincides with golden hour — the first hour after sunrise or the last hour before sunset — is the holy grail. The sandbar turns amber, the water reflects the sky, and you'll have softer, more flattering light than any midday visit. Check the tide chart alongside sunrise/sunset times and plan accordingly. Our dawn guide covers exactly how to pull off an early morning visit.

How long does the walk to The Point take?

About 20–30 minutes each way at a comfortable pace, depending on where you park. The walk is all on sand, so factor that into your timing — if low tide is at 9:00 AM, you need to leave your rental by 7:30 AM at the latest to arrive with time to spare.