Top 6 beaches in South Carolina
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Loading... - Kirsten Cooper
- 13 Apr 2022
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Each of South Carolina’s beaches has its own vibe. Many are a short drive from Charleston, a nexus of southern charm. So, whether you want to steep yourself in luxury or make memories that will last a lifetime without spending a mint, consider South Carolina for your next beach vacation.
Folly Beach
Just south of Charleston, Folly Island has the Atlantic Ocean out the front door, and the Folly River out the back door. The intersection of the two waterways created six miles of broad beaches around the island’s perimeter, where visitors can surf and boogie board, kayak and fish, boat, water ski, and more.
Folly Island teems with ocean-focused attractions, including 1000ft Folly Beach Pier, a pelican rookery, and Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve, which has views of historic Morris Island Lighthouse. Sometimes called one of America’s last true beach towns, the 12-sq-mile barrier island which has 2400 residents and a surf-town vibe, is charming and funky, with boho clothing shops and seafood restaurants of every ilk along Center Street. Come for shopping and eating by day, and music and dancing at night. Sample the local favorite She-crab soup.
Explore the Folly River marshlands by kayak – it’s an adventure that’s safe and fun for kids of any age. Get your adrenaline pumping surfing the Atlantic swells. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re a surfer, kayaker, cyclists, boater, you love fishing, or you’re interested in the island’s rich sea-wildlife, complex history, or you’re in search of sandy, romantic sunsets. Folly Beach is a great place for culture too. The Porgy House was home to Charleston authors Dubose and Dorothy Heyward in the 1930s. That’s also where, in 1934, George Gershwin wrote Porgy and Bess, based on Dubose Hayward’s novel. Folly Beach also has a rich and storied history beginning with its original residents, the Bohicket Indians.
Hilton Head
Famous for its luxury accommodations, low country-beaches, and 30 world-class golf courses, and 300 tennis courts, Hilton Head was the first eco-planned destination in the United States. Steep yourself in decadent luxury at Hilton Head’s spas, dine in its four-diamond restaurants, and between bronzing and beach-combing, play a round or two. The 42-square-mile barrier island is bordered by 12 miles of stunning beaches, and many of the island’s exclusive hotels have private access. The Gulf Stream keeps the daytime temperature at a delightful 70°F, and the ocean waters are close to the same. While Hilton Head is famous for its high-end offerings, there’s plenty of exploring for families and nature buffs. Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge, which is home to deer and alligators, is a maze of salt marshes and lagoons. Moss-draped oaks, magnolias, pines, and palmettos make it a birder’s paradise. Travelers on a budget will appreciate the public beach access with metered parking available at eight of the island’s beaches.
Edisto Beach
One of four oceanfront state parks in South Carolina. Edisto Beach, which is on Edisto Island, is a great rustic getaway for nature lovers. A vacation at Edisto beach invariably involves adventure in the great outdoors. The Beach State Park is crosshatched with hiking and biking trails, including the state’s longest system of ADA-accessible hiking and biking trails. Hike, bike, explore the beach, fish, and splash in the shallows. Edisto Beach provides affordable beach fun, based, from furnished cabins perched in the woods, as well as oceanfront and forest campsites.
Edisto Beach is a haven for splashing and swimming or just absorbing the beauty of the mighty Atlantic. The park also has an environmental education center with exhibits on the natural history of Edisto Island and the surrounding ACE Basin. The ACE Basin boundaries include the watersheds of the Ashepoo, Combahee, and Edisto Rivers. When it’s time for the beach, search the mile-and-a-half, palmetto-lined strip of sand called Edisto beach for shiny and colorful seashells, pause to catch a sunrise, and keep an eye peeled for fossils. The park is a nesting area for loggerhead sea turtles. Read More…
