Summer is here! Are you looking for somewhere to go or something to do? Well, take a ride to one of the many sandy, public South Carolina beaches along the Atlantic Ocean.
Those of us who live in South Carolina generally chose Myrtle Beach as our beach of choice. However, there are so many other beaches to try. Some are only reachable via ferry. And some beaches are undeveloped. That means there’s no housing like homes or apartments and no shopping plazas. Just good old nature.
Here are some public South Carolina beaches that you can try!
1. Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach attracts lots of tourism. Besides public accessible beaches, they have a winery, amusement parks, shopping malls including Tanger Outlets, and tons of restaurants and hotels. While you’re at the beach you should check out the Boardwalk area in downtown Myrtle Beach. Here you’ll find Ripley’s Haunted Adventure, Ripley’s Moving Theater, Myrtle Beach Skywheel, and live music.
2. Pawleys Island
Pawleys Island is a few miles down the road from Myrtle Beach. It’s not as busy or crowded as Myrtle Beach. That means there isn’t much to do. I recommend Pawley’s Island if you want some quietness while relaxing. I took hubby here as a graduation gift. We had a nice beach house for the weekend.
Brookgreen Gardens is a place I recommend visiting if in the area. They have several beautiful gardens and a zoo. This place is absolutely beautiful at Christmas time.
3. Isle of Palms
Isle of Palms is in the Charleston area. It’s actually closer to Mount Pleasant. There are a few eateries along the strip including my faves Coconut Joe’s and Ben & Jerry. If you access the beach near Coconut Joe’s you’ll find an area to rinse the sand from your feet. I mean, who wants a bunch of sand in their car? A couple of my girls and I used to sit on the rooftop overlooking the ocean at Coconut Joe’s while the live reggae band performed during the week. It was so enjoyable after a crazy day at work.
Isle of Palms County Park is located on the oceanfront. There are parking fees. At the park, you have access to amenities like restrooms, outdoor showers, a dressing area, picnic areas, and beach-accessible wheelchairs.
4. Folly Beach
Folly Beach is another beach you should visit if you are in the Charleston area. It’s a small beach town with souvenir shops and local eateries. BLU Beach Bar & Grill at Tides Folly Beach hotel is a popular restaurant. It’s inside the hotel and has an awesome view of the beach. Speaking of hotels, I will mention that you won’t find any hotel chains along the beach here. Or any beach in the Charleston area.
Public parking is available throughout the beach. Just follow the signs. You have to pay for parking at the kiosk. On the east end of Folly Beach, you can view the lighthouse. On the west end, there is Folly Beach County Park. Click here for fees. At the park, there is ample parking, a dressing area, beach-accessible wheelchairs, restrooms, and a picnic area.
5. Kiawah Island
About 25 miles outside of Charleston is Kiawah Island. The PGA Championship is often held here. Kiawah Island is gorgeous from the marshes to the palm trees. It has 10 miles of beaches. There’s a publicly accessible beach via Kiawah Beachwalker Park. There is a parking fee of $5-$15 depending upon the season you decide to visit. A picnic area, restrooms, outdoor showers, and beach-accessible wheelchairs are available.
6. Edisto Island
Botany Bay Beach is often called “Boneyard Beach” because of the way it looks. There are fallen trees along the beach shore. Yes, who’d expect to see a bunch of trees literally on the beach? One thing to remember, you can’t take shells off the beach.
Chef Kardea Brown is from Edisto Island. She has a Food Network TV show, Delicious Miss Brown. I had the opportunity to attend one of her Lowcountry Supper Clubs. Learn about it here.
7. Beaufort
Hunting Island State Park is located near Beaufort, SC. Here not only will you find 5 miles of beach, but you will also find South Carolina’s only publicly accessible lighthouse, a fishing pier, picnic area, and saltwater lagoon. There is an admission fee to the park. The park is open daily from 6 am – 6 pm.
My last visit to Beaufort was at the Kentucky Derby event sponsored by the Black Chamber of Commerce. I’m ready to pay Beaufort another visit now.
8. Hilton Head Island
Hilton Head is a relaxing type of area just like several of the others that I mentioned. There are so many lovely beaches present. By the way, Coligny and Mitchelville Beaches have free parking. Mitchelville Beach has a beautiful natural landscape. It’s is not very crowded. Mitchelville has significant Black history. It was an all-Black community post-Civil War.
Here in Hilton Head, you can do activities such as bike riding, dolphin tours, kayaking, Gullah tours, and private boat charters. Hilton Head also has a Tanger Outlet for shopping.