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 on the lookout for silent strolling, household enjoyable, or a spring break vibe, you'll discover a seaside within the Palmetto State that ticks the suitable packing containers.
South Carolina entices guests with cool, glowing Atlantic waters and broad, sandy seashores that conceal dazzling seashells and fossils (together with fossilized tooth of the prehistoric shark Megalodon). You possibly can admire the wildlife, dive deep into historical past, take pleasure in water sports activities, and dine, store and benefit from the spa life in one of the best seaside 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 appeal. Contemplate South Carolina on your subsequent seaside trip for reminiscences that can final a lifetime; listed here are the state's high seashores.
1. Folly Seaside
Finest seaside for surf city vibes
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 certainly one of America's final true seaside cities, Folly Seaside's storied historical past begins with its authentic residents, the Bohicket Indians, who lived within the space till the 1600s when European colonists pressured them to relocate.
Right this moment, Folly Island has 2,400 full-time residents, however the inhabitants swells on holidays and weekends. A captivating and funky surf vibe pervades on Folly Seaside's Middle Road, lined with boho clothes retailers and seafood eating places.
The encircling island is dotted with ocean-focused sights, together with Folly Seaside Pier, a pelican rookery and the Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Protect, with scenic coastal landscapes framing the Morris Island Lighthouse.
Folly Seaside is a superb 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 day trip, discover the marshlands alongside the Folly River by kayak – it's an journey that's secure and enjoyable for teenagers of any age, and kayak excursions may be simply organized in Folly Seaside.
2. Hilton Head
Finest seaside 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 the USA, and it's a favourite trip spot for the ritzy set.
You possibly can 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'll want a funds to match.
Overlaying 42 sq miles, low-lying Hilton Head Island is bordered by 12 miles of beautiful seashores, and lots of the island's unique accommodations have their very own personal seaside entry. The Gulf Stream retains the daytime temperature comfortably above 80°F from Could to September, and the ocean waters will not be a lot cooler in summer time. Vacationers on a funds will recognize the general public sections of seaside; metered parking is accessible at eight of the island's seashores.
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 empty, however temps are nonetheless nice. You'll even have one of the best possibilities of seeing a sea turtle nest hatch. In case you're fortunate sufficient to expertise it, don't shine any lights on the hatchlings as they make their approach to the ocean (they'll get confused!).
3. Edisto Seaside
Finest seaside for nature lovers
Considered one of 4 oceanfront state parks in South Carolina, Edisto Seaside is a superb rustic getaway for nature lovers. A trip on the sand-fringed island of the identical title invariably entails adventures within the nice open air.
The state park is crosshatched with climbing and biking trails, together with the state's longest system of ADA-accessible climbing and biking trails. Edisto Seaside supplies reasonably priced seaside enjoyable, from furnished cabins within the woods to oceanfront and forest campsites. Hike, bike, discover the seaside, fish and splash within the shallows to your coronary heart's content material.
The park additionally has an environmental training middle with displays 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 Could to October.
Planning tip: To maintain children engaged, search the palmetto-lined strip of sand on Edisto Seaside for colourful seashells and maintain a watch peeled for fossils. Petrified bones from mammoths, saber-toothed cats and different prehistoric mammals have been discovered right here.
4. Bull Island
Finest seaside to keep away from the crowds
Stepping onto Bull Island – often known 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 proper 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 record, naturalist-guided excursions are nice for all ages.
The 66,000-acre island is the biggest of 4 barrier islands inside 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 Seaside, named for the bleached skeletons of oaks, cedars, palmettos and pines that litter a three-mile stretch of seaside on the island's northeast nook, is standard with photographers.
Planning tip: Bull Island is a superb day journey from Charleston, which is about 50 minutes by highway from the ferry launch in Awendaw. Contact Coastal Expeditions for quite a lot of island excursions by kayak, stand-up paddleboard or ferry.
5. Crescent Seaside
Finest seaside for households
Myrtle Seaside is South Carolina's hottest seaside resort, attracting greater than 19 million guests yearly. Vacationers come for the family-friendly sights, beachfront accommodations, all-ages leisure, and, after all, the white-sand seashores.
The sandy strip extends northeast in the direction of North Myrtle Seaside, the place dreamy Crescent Seaside is town's hidden gem. It's one of the best spot to settle in below a seaside 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 Seaside, from wakeboarding and jet-skiing to browsing and parasailing – good should you're a water-loving adrenaline junkie.
Planning tip: On land, children will love the thrills and spills at Household Kingdom and the towering Skywheel Ferris wheel. Take a break from the business sights with a boardwalk stroll in peaceable Myrtle Seaside State Park.
6. Kiawah Island
Finest seaside for privateness
A non-public escape with 10 miles of white-sand seashores, Kiawah Island is somewhat 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 likely one of the finest seaside locations for a luxurious trip, the pure setting is being preserved and enhanced for present and future generations. Most seashores are personal and reserved for property homeowners, resort friends and holiday-let renters, however informal guests to the island can solar and swim at lovely Beachwalker County Park.
The island is as welcoming to households as to {couples}. With children 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 highway from Charleston in round 45 minutes, so it's a straightforward day journey in case your funds doesn't stretch to stopping over. There's parking on the Beachwalker County Park, however the 150 areas fill rapidly in summer time, so arrive early.
