The 6 best beaches in South Carolina

Each of South Carolina’s beaches has its own vibe. Many are within walking distance of Charleston, a nexus of southern charm. So if you want to immerse yourself in luxury or create memories that will last a lifetime without spending a dime, consider South Carolina for your next beach vacation.

South of Charleston, Folly Island has the Atlantic Ocean exiting through the front door and the Folly River through the back door. The intersection of the two waterways created six miles of wide beaches across the perimeter of the island, where visitors can surf and bodyboard, kayak and fish, boat, water ski and more.

Folly Island is full of ocean-focused attractions, including the 1000-foot Folly Beach Pier, a pelican colony and the Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve, which offers views of the historic Morris Island Lighthouse. Sometimes called one of America’s last true beach towns, the 12-square-mile barrier island, which has 2,400 residents and a surf-city vibe, is charming and funky, with boho clothing stores and seafood restaurants from all kinds along Center Street. Come to shop and eat during the day, and listen to music and dance at night. Try the local favorite She crab soup.

Explore the marshes of the River Folly by kayak – it’s a safe and fun adventure for children of any age. Take your adrenaline by surfing the waves of the Atlantic. There is something for everyone, whether you are a surfer, kayak, cyclist, sailor, love fishing or are interested in the island’s rich marine wildlife, its complex history or looking for a romantic, sandy sunset. Folly Beach is also a great place for culture. In the 1930s, The Porgy House was home to Charleston authors, Dubose and Dorothy Heyward. It is also where, in 1934, George Gershwin wrote Porgy and Bess, based on the novel by Dubose Hayward. Folly Beach also has a rich and famous history, starting with its original residents, the Bohicket Indians.

Famous for its luxurious accommodations, low beaches and 30 world-class golf courses and 300 tennis courts, Hilton Head was the first ecologically planned destination in the United States. Immerse yourself in decadent luxury at Hilton Head spas, dine in its four-diamond restaurants and, between sunbathing and combing the beach, play a game or two. The 42 square mile barrier island is bordered by 19 kilometers of stunning beaches, and many of the island’s exclusive hotels have private access. The Gulf Stream keeps the daytime temperature at a wonderful 21 ° C, and the ocean waters are almost the same. Although Hilton Head is famous for its sophisticated offerings, there is much to explore for families and nature lovers. Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge, home to deer and crocodiles, is a labyrinth of salt marshes and ponds. Oaks covered with moss, magnolias, pines and palm hearts make it a paradise for birds. Budget-conscious travelers will appreciate the public meter-accessible beach access available on eight of the island’s beaches.

One of the four state parks by the sea in South Carolina. Praia do Edisto, located on Ilha do Edisto, is a great rustic retreat for nature lovers. Edisto beach holidays invariably involve outdoor adventure. Beach State Park is intersected with walking and cycling trails, including the state’s longest system of walking and cycling trails accessible by ADA. Walk, ride a bike, explore the beach, fish and dive in the shallow waters. Edisto Beach offers affordable beach fun, based on furnished huts in the woods, as well as seaside and forest campsites.

Edisto Beach is a paradise for diving and swimming or just soaking up the beauty of the mighty Atlantic. The park also has an environmental education center with exhibitions on the natural history of Ilha do Edisto and the surrounding ACE Basin. The boundaries of the ACE Basin include the hydrographic basins of the Ashepoo, Combahee and Edisto rivers. When it’s time for the beach, look for bright and colorful shells on the strip of sand with almost two and a half kilometers of palm trees, called Edisto beach, stop to watch the sunrise and keep an eye out for fossils. The park is a nesting area for loggerhead sea turtles.

Stepping on Bull Island – also called Bulls Island, at the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, is like going on a safari on the east coast. This nature classroom, which is accessible by ferry or kayak, has 25 kilometers of trails and roads and 11 kilometers of undeveloped coastline to explore. The island is known for its birdlife, with more than 293 recorded species. Children love to see a real American bald eagle. Naturalist-guided tours are great for all ages if watching crocodiles, spotting black foxes and bottlenose dolphins is on your wish list. The 66,000-acre island is the largest of the four barrier islands within the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge contains saltwater estuaries, barrier islands, freshwater dams and marine forests. Bottle-nosed dolphins raise their young in sheltered streams on the Isle of Bull and loggerhead turtles nest on the island’s beaches. Boneyard Beach, so named because of the discolored skeletons of oaks, cedars, palm and pine trees that cover a five-kilometer stretch of beach in the northeast corner of the island, is the most photographed spot on the island. Go for the day or just a few hours. It’s fun for the whole family and a great day trip from Charleston, which is about 50 minutes from the Awendaw ferry launch.

Myrtle Beach is South Carolina’s most popular, with more than 19 million visitors annually. Tourists come to family attractions, seaside resorts, entertainment and, of course, white sand beaches. Crescent Beach, one of North Myrtle Beach’s four beaches, is the city’s hidden gem and the best place to post a parasol and a good book, while children play dance, play a Frisbee or build a sandcastle. Rub your elbows with locals at Molly Darcy’s Irish Pub and Bay Watch Cafe, both located on South Ocean Boulevard. You will find many water and adventure sports in North Myrtle Beach. From wakeboarding and jet-skiing to surfing and paragliding, the beach is a paradise for adrenaline junkies.

A private island with 16 kilometers of white sand beaches, Kiawah Island is often called a paradise. One of the best beach destinations for luxury vacations in Kiawah, a world-class resort and a vibrant village coexist with an immaculate coastline, 10,000 hectares of sea forests, sand dunes and swamps inhabited by white-tailed deer, crocodiles, lynx , sea birds, and sea turtles. The natural maritime scenario is being preserved and improved for current and future generations. Soak up the sun and soak in the waves – the island is as welcoming to families as adult travelers, so visit the five-century-old Angel Oak Tree. Have a meal or a drink at the Charleston Tea Plantation and Firefly Distillery. Most beaches are private, accessible to owners, guests and renters. Visitors who are not staying on the island can sunbathe and swim in Beachwalker County Park.