10 Best Beach Towns in South Carolina (2024)
Winding sandy beaches with stunning sunsets is one of the main reasons for visiting South Carolina. It’s a coastal state with abundant natural beauty, making it a fantastic vacation spot. Here’s a concise guide to the best beach towns in South Carolina and their unique local attractions.
Best Beach Towns in South Carolina
1. Isle of Palms
The Isle of Palms is a small city on a barrier island with many beaches filled with condos and restaurants. Although the town is small, Isle of Palms is hugely popular with tourists and families.
The Isle of Palms County Park public beach is known for having clear, calm water and clean sand. There are a variety of stores, bars, and dining areas within walking distance, as well as a picnic area.
As for parking, there are two public lots close to the beach and metered areas along Ocean Boulevard.
Attractions and Activities:
- Play golf at Wild Dunes Resort’s golf courses
- Take a kayaking sunrise or sunset tour
- Visit the Windjammer, a lively bar that often hosts events like sand volleyball tournaments or small music festivals.
2. Kiawah Island Beach
This next South Carolina beach town is trickier to access than most because Kiawah Island is a gated private community. However, tourists and visitors can still visit the beach.
There is a guardhouse at the main entrance of Kiawah Island, but visitors enter using Beachwalker Drive to get to the state-run Beachwalker Park. From this park, people can bike or walk around to explore the rest of the island without restrictions.
Tourists cannot take their car to explore without a renter’s pass, a guest-of-owner pass, an owner’s pass, an employee pass, or reservations for golf or dinner.
Attractions and Activities:
- Kiawah Island Golf Resort
- Biking around Kiawah Island
- Bohicket Marina and Market
3. Sullivan’s Island
Historically referred to as O’Sullivan’s Island, this is a quaint island town in Charleston County, South Carolina. It has a tiny population of fewer than 2,000 people and a fascinating history.
There are plenty of historical sites for Revolutionary War fans who want something to do after walking a beautiful beach and dining on fresh seafood.
Attractions and Activities:
4. Hilton Head
Most tourists have probably heard of Hilton Head before, and for good reason. Hilton Head Island is one of the most popular vacation spots in South Carolina.
It’s in South Carolina’s Lowcountry regions and has about 13 miles of clean, gorgeous beaches. Because of its popularity, there is always an exciting event in Hilton Head, with plenty of activities for people of all ages.
There are Gullah heritage tours and Civil War-era landmarks to visit aplenty.
Attractions and Activities:
5. Surfside Beach
A small spot located just south of Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach is one of the best South Carolina beach towns without question. It’s housed in Horry County, South Carolina, and its colloquial nickname is “The Family Beach,” making this a great spot to vacation with your loved ones.
It is not a party beach at all. Instead, it has a relaxed atmosphere with small children splashing in the ocean waves. It’s also an excellent place for fishing and watersports.
Attractions and Activities:
6. Myrtle Beach
Nestled in the Grand Strand in South Carolina, Myrtle Beach is another trendy destination for tourists all over America. It’s a busy town full of excitement and activity, with large sandy beaches, wild amusement parks, and pristine golf courses.
Myrtle Beach has one of the liveliest boardwalks with arcades, souvenir stands, and one of America’s tallest Ferris wheels in the SkyWheel.
Attractions and Activities:
7. Seabrook Island
Seabrook Island was known for a long time as Simmons Island, but now it’s part of the Charleston-North Charleston-Summerville metropolitan area. It is a private beach community in Charleston County, South Carolina, on a barrier island.
It is a gated community that only Property Owners, Club Members, and their guests can access, with 3 miles of beaches and outdoor activities.
Visitors often enjoy horseback riding, golfing on the premier golf courses, or wandering the island’s beautiful nature trails.
Attractions and Activities:
- Seabrook Island Equestrian Center
- Seabrook Island Club
- Golfing on Seabrook Island’s courses
8. Folly Beach
Folly Beach is fifteen miles south of Charleston, a laid-back beach town with picnic areas and a pelican rookery. Weddings are a prevalent occurrence on Folly Beach, and it’s also a popular spot for surfers trying to catch a wave.
Visitors can stroll down the beach and admire the natural habitats full of wildlife. When it’s time to souvenir shop, Center Street has plenty of charming local storefronts, bars, and dining areas.
Attractions and Activities:
9. Pawleys Island
Not far from Myrtle Beach is the lesser-known Pawleys Island, a charming little beach town with incredible natural beauty. Pawleys Island is a very peaceful location, with long stretches of sandy beaches and a plethora of various outdoor activities.
The town has many historical landmarks to tour and learn about, given that several houses in the Historic District originated in the 18th century. Visitors are also impressed by the collection of sand dunes and the variety of lush nature trails around the island.
Near Pawleys Island is Brookgreen Gardens, which has a zoo and a display of sculptures.
Attractions and Activities:
10. Edisto Beach
Last but certainly not least is Edisto Beach. Edisto Beach is a tiny spot with about 4 miles of beaches. It is the smallest town on this list, with only 414 people in the 2010 census.
This tiny population gives Edisto Beach a very private atmosphere and is perfect for people desiring a quiet beach vacation to break from life’s rush.
Visitors enjoy fishing, kayaking, biking, and hiking in this area.
Attractions and Activities:
- Botany Bay Ecotours
- Botany Bay Plantation Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area
- Edisto Island Serpentarium
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