There are lots of beautiful beaches along the South Carolina coast. In the Charleston, SC vicinity there are three beaches that locals and tourists alike love to while away hot sunny days; Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, and Folly Beach.
Isle of Palms, SC, is a beautiful, tropical island with streets lined with palm trees and multi-million dollar beach houses. The main boulevard along the ocean has hotels, shops, and lots of restaurants and bars. The Wild Dunes resort is the priciest, followed by The Seaside Inn and The Palms Hotel. Although Wild Dunes is expensive, it has many amenities including two miles of beach, a swimming pool, and two golf courses.
The beach is easy to access as there are lots of pathways that lead to the ocean; however parking can be a problem. There is a public parking lot but it generally fills up very early in the summer season. Generally you will have to drive around and look for an open spot on the road. Don’t think you can get away with parking illegally because the roads are regularly patrolled. While Isle of Palms is a major summer destination it never feels overcrowded on the beach, although the restaurants and bars are always full. Check out their website on the link provided.
Sullivan’s Island, SC, is just over the bridge from Isle of Palms. It’s a smaller town with no hotels or motels but lots of beach rentals and several nice restaurants and bars. One of the most famous restaurant/bars is Poe’s Tavern. Early in Edgar Allen Poe’s life he was in the army and stationed on Sullivan’s Island. He credits his time there for inspiring his story, “The Gold Bug.” The restaurant serves excellent, casual beach food, and beer and wine.
The beach is quieter and more secluded than IOP and family friendly. There are no bathrooms available unless you park in the one small public parking lot at the end of the island. It’s a great place to while away the day. However, like IOP parking can be difficult because you will most likely have to find a spot along the streets, sometimes several blocks back from the beach. Be prepared and pack fairly lightly.
Folly Beach, SC, otherwise known as “the edge of America,” is best known for its large walk-out pier. The Edwin S. Taylor pier is 24 feet wide, extends over 1000 feet into the Atlantic, and is 23 feet above sea level. Folly Beach is great for families or large groups of beachgoers because the pier area has a large parking area, a covered shelter, handicapped accessible restrooms, showers, a restaurant and a gift and tackle shop. There are also several hotels, restaurants and bars right on the beach.
You can also rent jet skis and boogie boards, and there is a boat that provides parasailing adventures. The water around the pier sometimes has severe undertows though, so always be careful. Folly is also a popular surfing spot and hosts several surfing contests every year. If you’ve never surfed you can take lessons. Folly Beach is always a fun place to visit and although lots of people travel there daily in the summer it never feels too crowded. There is a leash law for dogs, and dogs aren’t allowed on the beach during the day in the months of May through the end of September.
These three beaches in Charleston, SC are all a little bit different from each other and it will depend on the kind of beach experience you desire which one you choose. Definitely make one your destination this summer, whether it’s for a day or a week or two. Come join the fun in the sun y’all!
