Charleston is famend for beautiful structure, early American historical past, and world-class meals. But lower than an hour from the cobblestone streets, guests can dip their toes within the sand, catch a wave, and bask within the solar on one of many space’s seashores. After days of exploring home museums, boutique outlets, and she-crab soup, it could be good to go for a stroll on the seaside and get a drink with a view of the water.
South Carolina is understood for its pristine seashores. At the north finish of the state, The Grand Strand – stretching practically 90 miles from North Myrtle Beach via Myrtle Beach to Pawley’s Island – is without doubt one of the hottest seaside locations within the nation. On the opposite finish, Hilton Head Island is an escape from the world right into a maritime forest with large, clear seashores for the entire household to take pleasure in.
In the center of all of it, Charleston’s seashores are extra intimate. Smaller in scale however nonetheless providing outside recreation, native meals, and purchasing. Each seaside has its personal identification, so you possibly can decide your favourite or discover all of them for the last word expertise.
Which of those seashores would you take pleasure in visiting essentially the most? Leave me a remark beneath!
Isle of Palms
Isle of Palms is a classy expertise on the seaside. Just 15 miles from downtown Charleston, it’s one of the developed seashores within the space however nonetheless retains a peaceable appeal. The drive can take 20-45 minutes relying on the site visitors – plan to reach early if you wish to take pleasure in a day at this seaside.
The best method to the island is the Isle of Palms Connector – a two-lane bridge crossing the Intracoastal Waterway. Isle of Palms County Park is one among two massive public parking areas on the island – the opposite is a sandy lot close by. The county park options ADA entry to the seaside, restroom services, and outside showers to scrub off while you’re prepared to depart.
Ocean Boulevard from 10th Avenue to 14th Avenue is the center of the seaside city with native eating places and purchasing. The Windjammer is a country restaurant with hardwood flooring and low ceilings, nevertheless it’s a occurring place with outside reside concert events with the ocean because the backdrop. Coda del Pesce is a up to date Italian restaurant with oceanfront seating – an ideal place to take pleasure in their fantastic delicacies. Luke ‘n Ollie’s Pizzeria and The Dinghy are low-key locations to seize one thing to eat, particularly when you’ve simply come off the seaside. The Boathouse has been serving native catch seafood since 1997 with a view of the Intracoastal Waterway, however they’re solely open for dinner, and reservations are really helpful.
Rent a ship at Isle of Palms Marina to take pleasure in just a few hours exploring the Intracoastal Waterway or head out to sea for a day of fishing, or constitution a ship for inshore or offshore fishing.
Wild Dunes is without doubt one of the premier resorts in Isle of Palms and a favourite amongst golfers. The Links Course and Harbor Course are open to the general public, every providing 18 holes on programs designed by Tom Fazio.
Best for: Day journey visits to the seaside and lunch at an area restaurant.
Sullivan’s Island
Just 9 miles from downtown, Sullivan’s Island is the closest seaside to Charleston. It’s the best drive of any of the seaside cities with four-lane highways so far as the bridge crossing the Intracoastal Waterway to the island – it takes about 15-Half-hour to get there.
Sullivan’s Island was as soon as a distant barrier island solely glimpsed within the distance throughout Charleston harbor. But within the late 1700s, residents started making summer season journeys to the seaside. In the 1800s, guests might take an electrical trolley from Mount Pleasant throughout the Pitt Street Bridge onto the island. Today, most of the north-south streets are named after the stations that after served the trolleys.
Three streets – Gold Bug Avenue, Raven Drive, and Poe Avenue – are named after the island’s most well-known resident: Edgar Allan Poe. Under an assumed title, Poe served at Fort Moultrie for 13 months. The fort performed important roles within the Revolutionary War and Civil War, a historical past that’s interpreted at Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park.
READ MORE: Exploring Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park
There are just a few public seaside accesses on Sullivan’s Island – most of it’s reserved for personal properties and short-term rental properties. Station 12 Public Beach Access is beside Fort Moultrie and is the most well-liked place on the island for out-of-town guests. The car parking zone fills up rapidly on summer season days with a capability of about two dozen passenger automobiles.
Several native eating places line Middle Street for just a few blocks. These eateries supply savory meals and excellent service, making them standard throughout lunch and dinner rush hours. Poe’s Tavern serves American fare in a restaurant flush with Edgar Allen Poe décor. Dunleavy’s Pub gives Irish meals and all types of beer together with reside folks music in a country constructing. Home Team BBQ has a number of places all through the Charleston space the place they serve Carolina-style barbecue with house-made sauces. The Obstinate Daughter is an informal upscale restaurant that includes American meals and native craft beers.
Best for: Exploring Fort Moultrie, going for a stroll on the seaside at Station 12, and getting lunch or dinner at an area restaurant
Folly Beach
Only barely additional away than Sullivan’s Island, Folly Beach is the most well-liked seaside vacation spot within the Charleston space. It’s an 11-mile drive that may take anyplace from 20 minutes to an hour, relying on what time of day you go to. Hint: plan to reach earlier than 8 a.m. or after 4 p.m. to keep away from the site visitors.
Folly Beach is the quintessential seaside city. Towering palm timber and curbside gardens line Center Street. Small buildings with pastel colours and metallic awnings straddle both aspect of the road. Souvenir outlets are situated beside native eating places, rooftop bars overlook surf outlets, and never a single chain restaurant on your entire island.
The Folly Beach Pier is a central hub for actions on the seaside. In 2021, a two-year mission started to exchange and replace the present pier. During this development, the statement deck, present store, and restaurant are open to the general public.
Public seaside accesses with restricted parking are situated alongside Arctic Avenue. Folly Beach options large seashores, even at excessive tide, providing loads of room for throngs of individuals. And that results in the largest downside on Folly Beach – not sufficient parking. Strict guidelines have been developed over time to deal with a lot of day by day guests to the island.
The greatest place to place your toes within the island’s sand is Folly Beach County Park on the west finish. The park options restrooms and dressing areas, ADA-accessible ramps to the seaside, outside showers, and a giant seaside. The day by day parking payment is $5-$15 for private automobiles however arrive early if you wish to discover a spot.
The Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve on the reverse finish of the island gives one other probability to entry the seaside however with even fewer parking areas. A cul-de-sac on the finish of East Ashley Avenue supplies sufficient room for perhaps a dozen automobiles to park at no cost. A 0.4-mile stroll alongside a paved street – closed to site visitors – results in a secluded seaside viewing the Morris Island Light. Built in 1876, the lighthouse is surrounded by water after erosion modified the island’s form over the previous hundred years.
Pier 101 Restaurant & Bar gives a number of the greatest views with meals, though the rooftop bar at Snapper Jacks can’t be overwhelmed. Rita’s Seaside Grille, The Crab Shack, and Woody’s Pizza are different eating places you would possibly wish to attempt. Although it’s a block from the seaside, Loggerhead Beach Grill options the biggest outside seating space.
Best for: Spending a day on the seaside and eating at an area restaurant for lunch or dinner
Kiawah Island
Kiawah Island is only a 25-mile drive from downtown Charleston – it normally takes about 45 minutes – however you’ll solely discover one public seaside entry on the island. The Kiawah Island Golf Resort, a non-public gated neighborhood, covers many of the island.
Kiawah Island Parkway is sort of a drive via a nature protect. Oak timber and palm timber line the two-lane street, providing glimpses of the ocean each as soon as in awhile. Before reaching the gatehouse, a proper flip results in Kiawah Beachwalker Park.
A big, paved car parking zone has area for dozens of automobiles, however you’ll nonetheless wish to arrive early to ensure a parking area. It’s among the finest oceanfront parks managed by Charleston County Parks. The park options restrooms, dressing rooms, seaside chairs and umbrella leases, and an ADA boardwalk to the seaside.
The seaside isn’t very large – actually not as large as Folly Beach. But it’s lengthy. Beachgoers can discover the southwestern finish of the island so far as the Kiawah River with out every other seaside accesses. Depending on how far you wish to stroll, you may have a superb piece of sand all to your self.
If you wish to spend extra time on the island, the Kiawah Island Golf Resort is without doubt one of the greatest oceanfront resorts in South Carolina. Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, and Jack Nicklaus designed the award-winning championship golf programs and have a number of the most gorgeous surroundings round difficult traps and greens on the East Coast. The resort additionally options rental properties, villas, condos, a day spa, and a restaurant.
Best for: Day journey go to to the seaside.
Seabrook Island
Kiawah Island and Seabrook Island share the identical 25-mile driving route from Charleston so far as the Freshfields Village purchasing heart. At a roundabout, the Kiawah Island Parkway continues one route whereas the Seabrook Island Parkway heads the opposite – towards the personal island.
Bohicket Marina & Market is the one publicly accessible place on Seabrook Island. Visitors can hire a ship for 2-8 hours to discover the close by barrier islands or ebook a fishing constitution. At the  Bluewater Tackle & Bohicket Trading Company, guests can store for fishing provides, last-minute necessities, and souvenirs. Get one thing to eat on the Salty Dog Café with a view of Bohicket Creek, after which stroll subsequent door for dessert at Salty Dog Ice Cream.
Freshfields Village is a big purchasing heart serving the residents and visitors of Kiawah Island and Seabrook Island. Do some purchasing at Vineyard Vines, Indigo Books, and Islands Mercantile. Get one thing to eat at Hege’s Restaurant, FortyEight Wine Bar & Kitchen, or Cantina 76. Spend an evening or two on the Andell Inn to benefit from the outside swimming pool, swanky lake-view rooms, and on-site bar.
Best for: Booking a getaway to a non-public seaside.