18 Can’t-Miss Coastal Escapes For Your Next South Carolina Vacation
South Carolina’s coastline stretches for miles, offering sun-soaked beaches, historic lighthouses, and natural wonders that’ll make your heart skip a beat.
Whether you’re hunting for seashells, chasing waves, or just want to feel sand between your toes, the Palmetto State delivers coastal magic like nowhere else.
From quiet island hideaways to bustling boardwalks, these coastal gems promise unforgettable memories for every type of beach lover.
Travel information, attractions, and descriptions reflect publicly available details at the time of writing and may change without notice. Visitors are encouraged to verify operating hours, fees, and accessibility before planning a trip. This content is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and does not imply endorsement of any business, service, or organization.
1. Folly Beach
Known as the Edge of America, this funky beach town near Charleston radiates laid-back vibes and surfer energy. Folly’s wooden pier stretches 1,045 feet into the Atlantic, perfect for fishing or watching dolphins play in the waves.
Local shops sell tie-dye everything, and the breakfast burritos taste like heaven after a morning swim. If you spot a loggerhead turtle, consider yourself lucky!
2. Sullivan’s Island
This barrier island feels like a secret only locals know about, though it’s just minutes from downtown Charleston. Wide beaches offer plenty of space to spread out your towel without bumping elbows with strangers.
Fort Moultrie sits nearby, where history buffs can explore Revolutionary War battlegrounds. However, most visitors come for the unspoiled shoreline and chill island atmosphere that makes stress melt away instantly.
3. Isle Of Palms
With a name like Isle of Palms, you already know this place brings tropical vibes to the Carolina coast. Seven miles of sandy beaches welcome families, with calm waters ideal for kids learning to boogie board.
County Park offers volleyball courts, a playground, and picnic areas perfect for birthday parties. Though the island gets busy in summer, sunrise walks reveal a quieter side that feels almost meditative.
4. Kiawah Island
Picture ten miles of pristine beach where nature rules and development takes a backseat. Kiawah’s beaches consistently rank among America’s best, with wide stretches of sand perfect for long walks and shell collecting.
Loggerhead turtles nest here each summer, and spotting one is like winning the lottery. Golf courses hug the coastline, but honestly, the beach steals the show every single time.
5. Edisto Beach State Park
If you love beaches that feel untouched by modern madness, Edisto delivers big time. Maritime forests meet sandy shores here, creating a backdrop that looks straight out of a nature documentary.
Camping spots sit steps from the ocean, so you can fall asleep to wave sounds every night. Shelling opportunities here are legendary – sand dollars and shark teeth turn up regularly for patient hunters.
6. Botany Bay Plantation Heritage Preserve (Edisto Island)
Where else can you walk among ghostly tree skeletons rising from sand like sculptures? Botany Bay’s boneyard beach creates an otherworldly scene as ocean erosion reveals ancient maritime forests.
Photographers flock here for sunset shots that look professionally edited straight out of the camera. Though swimming isn’t recommended due to strong currents, exploring and wildlife watching make this preserve absolutely magical.
7. Hunting Island State Park
Climbing 167 steps to the top of Hunting Island’s lighthouse rewards you with views that’ll make your Instagram followers weep with envy. This barrier island park offers five miles of beach, plus maritime forests and saltwater lagoons teeming with wildlife.
Camping here feels like a real adventure, especially when you wake to sunrise over the Atlantic. Just saying, this place starred in Forrest Gump!
8. Hilton Head Island
Twelve miles of beaches make Hilton Head a coastal playground where everyone finds their happy place. Bike paths wind throughout the island, connecting beaches, shops, and restaurants without needing a car.
Coligny Beach Park buzzes with activity – volleyball games, live music, and enough ice cream shops to fuel a sugar high for days. However, quieter stretches await at the island’s south end for peace seekers.
9. Daufuskie Island
Accessible only by boat, Daufuskie feels like stepping back in time to a simpler era. No bridges connect this island to the mainland, which keeps crowds away and preserves its authentic Lowcountry charm.
Golf carts replace cars here, and historic Gullah culture still thrives in small communities. Though less developed than neighboring Hilton Head, Daufuskie’s beaches offer peaceful solitude that money can’t buy elsewhere.
10. Fripp Island
This private island resort keeps things exclusive, but day passes let visitors experience its three miles of pristine beaches. Deer wander freely here – seriously, they’ll photobomb your beach selfies without hesitation!
Alligators sunbathe near lagoons, adding wild excitement to your coastal escape. Families love the safe swimming areas and abundant wildlife, making nature education effortless and entertaining for curious kids.
11. Pawleys Island
Calling itself arrogantly shabby, Pawleys Island rejects glitz in favor of old-school beach town authenticity. Four miles of beach offer quiet stretches perfect for reading novels in hammocks or building epic sandcastles.
The famous Pawleys Island rope hammock was invented here in the 1880s, and locals still weave them today. If you need a break from tourist traps, this humble island delivers refreshing simplicity.
12. Litchfield Beach
Tucked between Pawleys Island and Myrtle Beach, Litchfield offers a sweet spot – close to attractions but far from chaos. Residential vibes dominate here, with beach houses lining shores where families return year after year.
Public beach access points make visiting easy, though parking fills quickly on summer weekends. How perfect is watching pelicans dive-bomb for fish while your toes dig into warm sand?
13. Huntington Beach State Park (Atalaya)
Where else can you explore a Moorish-style castle steps from a pristine beach? Atalaya, the winter home of sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington, sits within this park like something from a fairy tale.
Three miles of beach provide excellent birding opportunities – over 300 species have been spotted here! Saltwater marshes and freshwater lagoons create diverse habitats that nature lovers absolutely devour with their cameras and binoculars.
14. Brookgreen Gardens (Coastal Sculpture Gardens)
Though not technically a beach, this coastal treasure sits minutes from the shore and deserves your attention. Over 2,000 sculptures dot 9,100 acres of gardens, making it America’s largest outdoor sculpture museum.
Live oak trees draped in Spanish moss create magical pathways between art installations. If culture and nature had a baby, Brookgreen would be their ridiculously talented child who excels at everything!
15. Myrtle Beach State Park
When Myrtle Beach’s commercial strip feels overwhelming, this state park offers a natural alternative just south of downtown. Maritime forests provide shaded camping spots, while the beach stretches wide and welcoming.
A fishing pier attracts anglers hoping to hook flounder or whiting for dinner. Educational programs teach kids about loggerhead turtles and coastal ecosystems, making learning feel like playtime at the beach.
16. Surfside Beach
Nicknamed the Family Beach, Surfside keeps things simple and stress-free for visitors of all ages. Located just south of Myrtle Beach, it offers similar sand and surf without the overwhelming crowds.
The pier provides classic fishing and people-watching opportunities, while local restaurants serve fried seafood that tastes better with ocean breezes. Though smaller than its famous neighbor, Surfside delivers big on coastal charm and hospitality.
17. Garden City Beach
This laid-back beach community sits between Surfside and Murrells Inlet, offering affordable family fun without pretension. The Garden City Pier has welcomed fishermen since 1957, and locals still gather there daily to cast lines and swap stories.
Arcades and ice cream shops line the main drag, delivering nostalgic beach town vibes that feel refreshingly retro. If you want simple coastal pleasures, Garden City delivers without breaking your vacation budget.
18. Georgetown Harborwalk
While not ocean-front, this charming waterfront walk along the Sampit River connects you to South Carolina’s third-oldest city. Historic buildings house shops and restaurants where shrimp boats unload fresh catches daily.
Maritime history soaks every brick here – Georgetown was once a major rice port. However, today’s visitors come for sunset strolls, waterfront dining, and the chance to explore authentic coastal culture beyond typical beach scenes.
