With 2876 miles of shoreline, hemmed by seashores and barrier islands, South Carolina is a dream for seekers of solar, sea, sand, and, sure, even solitude. Whether or not you’re in search of silent strolling, household enjoyable, or a spring break vibe, you may discover a seashore within the Palmetto State that ticks the appropriate containers.
South Carolina entices guests with cool, glowing Atlantic waters and broad, sandy seashores that cover dazzling seashells and fossils (together with fossilized tooth of the prehistoric shark Megalodon). You’ll be able to admire the wildlife, dive deep into historical past, take pleasure in water sports activities, and dine, store and benefit from the spa life in the very best seashore resorts within the Lowcountry.
Every of South Carolina’s seashores has its personal vibe, and plenty of are only a brief drive from Charleston, a nostalgic nexus of southern allure. Contemplate South Carolina to your subsequent seashore trip for recollections that may final a lifetime; listed below are the state’s prime seashores.
1. Folly Seashore
Greatest seashore for surf city vibes
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Simply south of Charleston, Folly Island has the Atlantic Ocean proper outdoors the entrance door and the Folly River proper out again. Eons of interplay between these two our bodies of water created the six miles of broad sandy seashores that ring the island – nice spots to surf and boogie board, kayak and fish, go boating or water ski.
Hailed as considered one of America’s final true seashore cities, Folly Seashore’s storied historical past begins with its authentic residents, the Bohicket Indians, who lived within the space till the 1600s when European colonists compelled them to relocate.
Immediately, Folly Island has 2400 full-time residents, however the inhabitants swells on holidays and weekends. A captivating and funky surf vibe pervades on Folly Seashore’s Heart Road, lined with boho clothes outlets and seafood eating places.
The encompassing island is dotted with ocean-focused points of interest, together with Folly Seashore Pier, a pelican rookery and the Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Protect, with scenic coastal landscapes framing the Morris Island Lighthouse.
Folly Seashore is a good place for tradition, too. The Porgy Home was house to Charleston authors DuBose and Dorothy Heyward within the Nineteen Thirties. That is additionally the place, in 1934, George Gershwin wrote Porgy and Bess, based mostly on DuBose Hayward’s novel.
Planning Tip: For a enjoyable household time out, discover the marshlands alongside the Folly River by kayak – it’s an journey that’s protected and enjoyable for youths of any age, and kayak excursions may be simply organized in Folly Seashore.
2. Hilton Head
Greatest seashore for luxurious
Well-known for its fashionable luxurious lodging, Lowcountry seashores and greater than 23 world-class golf programs, Hilton Head was the primary eco-planned resort in america, and it is a favourite trip spot for the ritzy set.
You’ll be able to steep your self in decadent luxurious at Hilton Head’s spas, dine in four-diamond-rated eating places and play a spherical or two in between bronzing and beach-combing, however you may want a finances to match.
Protecting 42 sq miles, low-lying Hilton Head Island is bordered by 12 miles of beautiful seashores, and most of the island’s unique resorts have their very own non-public seashore entry. The Gulf Stream retains the daytime temperature comfortably above 80°F from Might to September, and the ocean waters should not a lot cooler in summer season. Vacationers on a finances will respect the general public sections of seashore; metered parking is offered at eight of the island’s seashores.
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Whereas Hilton Head is known for its high-end choices, there’s loads of pocket-friendly exploring for households and nature buffs. Pinckney Island Nationwide Wildlife Refuge is house to deer and alligators, and myriad chook species throng its maze of salt marshes and lagoons. Moss-draped oaks, magnolias, pines, and palmettos make for fantastic photographs.
Planning Tip: Plan your journey for September (after Labor Day), when the seashores are emptier, however temps are nonetheless nice. You will even have the very best probabilities of seeing a sea turtle nest hatch. In case you’re fortunate sufficient to expertise it, do not shine any lights on the hatchlings as they make their option to the ocean (they will get confused!).
3. Edisto Seashore
Greatest seashore for nature lovers
One in all 4 oceanfront state parks in South Carolina, Edisto Seashore is a good rustic getaway for nature lovers. A trip on the sand-fringed island of the identical identify invariably includes adventures within the nice outdoor.
The state park is crosshatched with mountain climbing and biking trails, together with the state’s longest system of ADA-accessible mountain climbing and biking trails. Edisto Seashore supplies reasonably priced seashore enjoyable, from furnished cabins within the woods to oceanfront and forest campsites. Hike, bike, discover the seashore, fish and splash within the shallows to your coronary heart’s content material.
The park additionally has an environmental training heart with reveals on the pure historical past of Edisto Island and the encompassing ACE Basin, which incorporates the watersheds of the Ashepoo, Combahee and Edisto Rivers. The park is a nesting space for loggerhead sea turtles from Might to October.
Planning Tip: To maintain youngsters engaged, search the palmetto-lined strip of sand on Edisto Seashore for colourful seashells and maintain an eye fixed peeled for fossils. Petrified bones from mammoths, saber-toothed cats and different prehistoric mammals have been discovered right here.
4. Bull Island
Greatest seashore to keep away from the crowds
Stepping onto Bull Island – also referred to as Bulls Island – is like setting out on an east coast safari. Accessible by ferry or kayak, with 16 miles of trails and 7 miles of undeveloped shoreline to discover, that is the right island to keep away from the crowds and benefit from the unspoiled surroundings of the Cape Romain Nationwide Wildlife Refuge.
Bull Island is a well-known haven for migrating birds, with greater than 293 species recorded right here. Children will love recognizing a regal American bald eagle. If observing alligators, catching a glimpse of black foxes, or recognizing bottlenose dolphins is in your bucket listing, naturalist-guided excursions are nice for all ages.
The 66,000-acre island is the biggest of 4 barrier islands throughout the Cape Romain Nationwide Wildlife Refuge, which preserves saltwater estuaries, marshlands, freshwater impoundments and maritime forests. Bottlenose dolphins increase their calves in Bull Island’s protected creeks, and loggerhead sea turtles nest on the island seashores.
Boneyard Seashore, named for the bleached skeletons of oaks, cedars, palmettos and pines that litter a three-mile stretch of seashore on the island’s northeast nook, is well-liked with photographers.
Planning Tip: Bull Island is a good day journey from Charleston, which is about 50 minutes by street from the ferry launch in Awendaw. Contact Coastal Expeditions for a wide range of island excursions by kayak, stand-up paddleboard or ferry.
5. Crescent Seashore
Greatest seashore for households
Myrtle Seashore is South Carolina’s hottest seashore resort, luring greater than 19 million guests yearly. Vacationers come for the family-friendly points of interest, beachfront resorts, all-ages leisure, and, in fact, the white-sand seashores.
The sandy strip extends northeast in the direction of North Myrtle Seashore, the place dreamy Crescent Seashore is the town’s hidden gem. It is the very best spot to settle in beneath a seashore umbrella with a great ebook as the youngsters boogie board within the surf or construct sandcastles on the shore.
You’ll discover loads of journey and water sports activities in North Myrtle Seashore, from wakeboarding and jet-skiing to browsing and parasailing – good if you happen to’re a water-loving adrenaline junkie.
Planning Tip: On land, youngsters will love the thrills and spills at Household Kingdom and the towering Skywheel Ferris wheel. Take a break from the industrial points of interest with a boardwalk stroll in peaceable Myrtle Seashore State Park.
6. Kiawah Island
Greatest seashore for privateness
A personal escape with 10 miles of white-sand seashores, Kiawah Island is a bit slice of paradise. A world-class resort and a vibrant village coexist alongside a pristine shoreline, flanking 10,000 acres of coastal woodland, sand dunes and marshes populated by whitetail deer, alligators, bobcats, seabirds and sea turtles.
Whereas this is among the finest seashore locations for a luxurious trip, the pure setting is being preserved and enhanced for present and future generations. Most seashores are non-public and reserved for property house owners, resort friends and
holiday-let renters, however informal guests to the island can solar and swim at stunning Beachwalker County Park.
The island is as welcoming to households as to {couples}. With youngsters in tow, absorb the solar and splash within the surf, then go to the 500-year-old Angel Oak Tree; for a grown-up expertise, seize a meal or a drink on the Charleston Tea Backyard or the Firefly Distillery.
Planning Tip: Kiawah Island is accessible by street from Charleston in round 45 minutes, so it is a straightforward day journey in case your finances would not stretch to stopping over. There’s parking on the Beachwalker County Park, however the 150 areas fill rapidly in summer season, so arrive early.
