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It's quiet, especially for a public park, fronts the ocean, and also offers views of the Kiawah River. Beach chair and umbrella rentals are available seasonally, and dogs are welcome, as long as they're on a leash. Explore Kiawah Island's private beaches by renting a house or villa on the island or booking a stay at the Sanctuary , the island's luxurious oceanfront hotel.
Just 12 miles from downtown, the "Edge of America" is the grooviest of Charleston's nearby beaches. It's a popular hangout for surfers, who frequent "The Washout," a stretch of coast known for having the area's best waves. Center Street, the bohemian beach town's colorful main thoroughfare, is lined with surf and souvenir shops and good eats, like Taco Boy and Rita's Seaside Grille , and is just steps away from Folly's 1,foot fishing pier.
The oceanfront county park on this barrier island has picnic tables, a sand volleyball court, and a playground for the littlest beach bums, making it a great place to take the whole family. Venture a little farther down the beach, beyond the park, to discover a number of fun beachfront bars and eateries, like family-friendly Coconut Joe's Beach Grill and The Windjammer , a classic dive bar and music venue that's as salty as they come.
Paddle the intercoastal waterway from Isle of Palms where you may encounter dolphins and get up close to coves and marshes. Though the island's nearly 4 miles of unspoiled beaches are private to residents and rental guests only book your stay here , Seabrook is still worth a stop if you're already making the trip out to Kiawah's Beachwalker Park, which is just a few miles away.
An Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary, Seabrook is home to a variety of wildlife, including foxes, bobcats, deer, sea turtles, and bottlenose dolphins. Head to Bohicket Marina for a sunset stroll by the river, then plop down at an outdoor table at the Salty Dog Cafe for water views, East Coast peel-and-eat shrimp, and a cold beer or two.
When it comes to old-school cottages, small town charm, and a spotless beach to boot, you won't find a dreamier destination than Sullivan's Island. While neighboring Isle of Palms has a lively resort feel, 3. Be sure to stop by Poe's Tavern on Middle Street for a killer burger before you head back toward town.
Flip-flops and salty hair are always welcome on the front porch. Accessible only by ferry, this barrier island is 45 minutes away from downtown Charleston and feels far away from the comforts of civilization. A good way to see the birds of this untouched island, and perhaps a playful dolphin if you're lucky, is on a guided paddling tour. Comb the beach for shells, walk Boneyard Beach where a forest is being recalled by the sea, or track foxes, bobcat, and deer.
About 60 miles from Charleston, Edisto Beach's unspoiled coastline makes it worth the drive. Stay beachside for a dreamy vacation, or take a day trip from Charleston. One of four oceanfront state parks in South Carolina, palmetto-lined Edisto Beach State Park provides the picture-perfect backdrop for swimming, hunting for shells and sharks' teeth, fishing, or strolling.
After a day on the island's trails, savor some seafood at the Waterfront Restaurant or the tacos at McConkey's Jungle Shack. One of the popular beaches in Charleston and near it is Edisto Beach because of its beautiful, gently developed oceanfront. You can even visit its Environmental Learning Center to take part in their incredible interactive exhibits.
Kiawah Island is located This beautiful place is one of the best Charleston beaches because of the many things you could do here. You can go to its shopping village to have some retail fun with a maritime environment as your backdrop.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Andell Inn. Folly Beach is located in Folly Island, a short Many locals and visitors consider Folly Beach as the best beach for swimming in Charleston. This family-friendly seafront has relatively calm waves perfect for young children to play in with adult supervision. It is miles approximately a 2 hour and minute drive away from Historic Charleston via the US Aside from the actual sand and waves, Cherry Grove Beach is also known for its top-rate golf courses, incredible seafood restaurants, and great shopping options.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Prince Resort. But one of the top beaches considered the most appropriate for kids is Isle of Palms because of its relatively calm waves and beautiful beachfront. This undeveloped barrier island is one of the most dramatic spots along the entirety of the South Carolina coast; its narrow stretches of sand are lined with living and petrified palm trees many damaged by Hurricane Hugo , giving it a surreal, otherworldly look.
Capers Island can only be reached by boat, but you can find charters from Sullivan's Island. If you're a little more adventurous or more athletically inclined you can canoe or kayak to the island under your own steam. You really feel like you're adrift on an island in the middle of the Atlantic when you're here, as opposed to just a few miles off the coast of prim and proper Charleston.
You can experience the desolation in two ways: there's North Beach, a Robinson Crusoe -esque stretch of untouched sand, and Boneyard Beach, which, as its name suggests, looks like a ghoulish cemetery of sorts, with spiny tree branches poking out from beneath the sand. Stefanie Waldek. CNT Editors. Driving out of downtown Charleston across the Ravenel Bridge, marsh and wetlands give way to this lovely barrier island, with its public beach overlooked by the historic lighthouse.
Come at low tide, when the sands are wide enough to accommodate the throngs of day trippers trickling in from the city, and make sure to check out Poe's Tavern on Middle Street: the poet was stationed here during his military service, from Close Banner Close.
See all the winners as voted by you! See the winners See all the winners as voted by you! Photo by Patrick J O'Brien.
Most popular beach in charleston sc. The Best Beaches in Charleston for a Little R&R
No matter what type of beachgoer you are, you can find something to satisfy your need to be on a sandy beach in the sun! From expansive beaches where you can play games and sports to beaches good for swimming, shelling, and everything in between, you can find the perfect beach for you around Charleston. The sunshine and salty sea air are waiting for you at these amazing beaches in Charleston.
No matter which beach you decide to venture out to, you will not be disappointed! Which will you visit first? Located on Folly Island, just south of Charleston, this South Carolina beach is amazing and should definitely be on your list of Charleston beaches to visit!
Folly Beach is known as the Edge of America and has a population of less than three thousand! There may not be many residents in Folly Beach, South Carolina, but there are definitely plenty of visitors! Folly Beach has been a haven for South Carolinians and many other visitors over the year. The famous pianist George Gershwin and writer Dorthea Frank are among the artists who also flock to Folly Beach to find inspiration and relax in the South Carolina sun around Charleston. After relaxing on the beach, laying in the sun and swimming in the ocean, you can make your way to the streets of Folly Beach to dine at one of the ocean front restaurants.
This is truly one of the best beach towns in South Carolina! Surfers, keep in mind that there is a location along Folly Beach that offers some of the best surfing conditions in the state of South Carolina. The Washout also called Hollywood , has the best surfing around Charleston and the state as a whole. Hurricane Hugo washed away a block near the beach and now wind blow unrestricted across the beach and creates better waves for surfers.
If you want to venture a bit outside of the city, consider visiting one of the islands near Charleston. It offers a sandy beach with the most amazing shelling conditions that you would be hard pressed to find anywhere else. The beach is quite flat, has scattered driftwood, and you can find beautiful intact shells, including large conch shells.
The heritage preserve itself is more than 4, acres in the northeastern corner of Edisto Island. Since , it is now open to enjoyable by visitors to the beautiful Edisto Island. For animal lovers, you may want to make a stop on Edisto Island at the Edisto Island Serpentarium where you can see snakes, turtles, tortoise, alligators, and an albino alligator. They have indoor displays, outdoor gardens, live shows, and alligator feedings twice a day.
This is a great way to see wildlife local to South Carolina in a fun and safe way! This is because of its wide open beaches that offer plenty of room for everyone! Perfect for all of the sandcastle builders, skim boarders, and sun bathers. This is also a great choice for those looking to escape the crowds and have a quieter more serene beach experience in around Charleston.
This creates a more natural and relaxing atmosphere for visitors to the beach. And home to one of the only two South Carolina lighthouses that are still in use by the U. Coast Guard. Also great in the background of your beach photos! All of the islands around Charleston hold historical and cultural significance for the United States, but Morris Island may just be home to one of he most protected and coveted beaches in Charleston.
Morris Island has a history that includes important events in the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and even events involving pirates. Morris Island had its first settlers in and the first lighthouse was erected during from orders made by Kiang George III and was forty two feet tall! It was unfortunately destroyed in the Revolutionary War. A replacement was erected in that was sixty feet taller than the original, but that too was destroyed, this time during the Civil War. Today, you can see the lighthouse that replaced the ones that once stood on Morris Island.
It towers at feet tall! You will see today that it is not feet off the shore of Morris Island thanks to erosion. Th lighthouse is a stunning feature off of the coast of the island its presence adds to the beauty and historical significance of this Charleston island. The beach on Morris Island is undisturbed and unmarred by shops, real estate, and other modern normalcies. You can only access the island via boat. This can be done through one of the commercial boat tours that are operated out of Charleston.
This is the perfect beach to visit during your stay in Charleston if you love to step off of the beaten path. East Beach fits all of your beach-going hearts desires. Complete with a snack bar, restrooms, beach chair and umbrella rentals, and outdoor showers, East Beach ticks all the boxes. For those looking for beach-accessible wheelchairs, you can rent them there as well! There is also an aspect of unspoiled nature that Kiawah Island has that will add a bit of tranquility to your time on East Beach.
Kiawah Island has a total of ten miles of sandy shoreline and it has earned numerous awards each year, including landing on the Dr. Rent a paddle board, take a tour, take surf lessons, go boogey boarding, and more.
It is also common t o see Bottlenose dolphins and Loggerhead sea turtles while on the beach. Pelican beach is another one of the most wonderful beaches near Charleston. You can find this lovely South Carolina beach on the idyllic Seabrook Island. If you are looking for the best sunsets on the beaches in Charleston, look no further than Pelican Beach! Travelers and photographers will love catching a glimpse at the stunning sunsets that you can experience on Pelican Beach.
The Edisto River meets up with the Atlantic Ocean at Pelican Beach, creating gentle waves and currents, making this beach the perfect spot for those who want to swim or those traveling with young kids. You can find your way onto the beach by using one of the primary beach access points.
You can find these on the interactive map that is offered on the Sea Brook Island website. For those traveling with their furry friends, there is a section of Pelican Beach called Pelican Watch where dogs are allowed. During your time enjoying Pelican Beach consider heading inland a bit to explore the nature trails that the island has to offer. You can find trails ranked beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
The Camp St. Located on beautiful Seabrook Island, North Beach is one of the best beaches in Charleston for active families and nature loving travelers. Those traveling with dogs will love North Beach as well as it is one of the most dog friendly beaches near Charleston.
Dog parents can bring the their furry friends to North Beach for some fun in the waves and on the soft sandy beaches. If you like wildlife spotting or photography, be ready to have a blast at North Beach! From dolphins and turtles to native birds that call Seabrook Island home, the opportunities for wildlife photography are amazing on North Beach. You will also find that sunrises are particularly amazing on North Beach as it is the first place the sun touches on Seabrook Island. If you visit during the summer months and are up early to catch the sunrise, you may also catch a glimpse of some baby sea turtles.
Although they prefer to make the journey to the ocean in the darkness of night, early risers may be able to see babies making their way to the water! For those who like to spend their time in the water wading or swimming, this is the perfect place near Charleston to do it. The warm water temperatures and gentle currents make this the perfect place for swimming, especially for those traveling with young children.
There is also a nearby beach club, the Seabrook Island Beach Club, that has an oceanfront pool, lounge furniture, cafes, beach access, and more for those who find this more their speed. It is one of the few South Carolina beaches to offer horseback riding on the beach. This beach on Kiawah Island offers lovely views of both the ocean and the river. You can find Beachwalker Park on the west end of the island. Life guards are on duty seasonally and they offer picnic areas over looking the marsh, grills, vending, restrooms, a boardwalk, and more.
There is also beach wheelchairs available call ahead as well as and accessible beach ramp! Parking does come at a cost, however walk-ins and those biking to the beach can get access for free. Umbrellas and beach chairs are available for rent at super reasonable prices! The Beachwalker Park beach was ranked 10 on the Dr. Beach Top Ten List in and ranked 9 on the Dr. Beach Top Ten List in As this beach is a less than forty minute drive from Charleston, it is well worth the drive from Charleston!
The island has an incredible population of alligators that can be found in the islands freshwater and brackish ponds. Most of the gators you will see on Kiawah are no longer than eight feet, however larger ones can be found on some parts of the island; some as larges as eleven feet!
Be on the look out around the edges of ponds as this is where they like to sunbathe. Keep in mind that although dogs are welcome they must stay on a leash. While both of these beaches in Charleston are lovely, they offer there visitors a little something different. On the Isle of Palms beach, you will find that it is slightly more upscale, the homes and other buildings around the beach are well maintained, and there are some of the best restaurants that Charleston has to offer.
You will find more wide open space on Isle of Palms Beach and that it is relatively uncrowded as well. The Isle of Palms Beach is only about thirty minutes from Charleston and is very family friendly. You will find a snack bar, sand volleyball courts, grills for picnics by the beach, and much more in the area!
For history buffs, you will find your visit to the Isle of Palms Beach more interesting as you learn about the history of the island. For thousands of years the island was inhabited by the indigenous Seewee people. Although landed upon by the English from time to time, the island remained free of permanent residents until the 19th century when inhabitants of Charleston used it as an escape from the summer heat. Legend has it that pirates have buried their treasure on the island for safe keeping in the dunes and in the woods.
None of this treasure has ever been found. Will you be the one to find it? This is truly one of the best places to stay in Charleston.
