20 Best Beaches to Visit in South Carolina

South Carolina occupies 2,876 miles of the tidal coastline. Being a definite choice for everyone visiting the United States, South Carolina attracts a huge number of the population because of its pristine and serene beaches.

It is difficult for travelers to only visit to one beach, as South Carolina offers a huge number of beaches and one can’t really leave the State without visiting at least 5 of them.

South Carolina is the ideal destination for couples, family and friendly get-together.

The wind refreshes you and takes you to a fairy world; the glistening and shining sand is something which is hard to forget. Beaches of South Carolina locks the memories forever in your mind.

Although Folly and Edisto are some of the well known beaches in South Carolina, here are a few more which are equally popular among tourists.

Folly Beach

Folly Beach, South CarolinaSource: Wikipedia.org/Brian Stansberry | CC BY 4.0 InternationalPin

Folly Beach county park lies on the west of the Folly Island in South Carolina.

There are many beaches on Folly Island but Folly beach remains the best among all of them.

Folly beach is enjoyed by travelers as the beach extends 6 miles and no matter where you look, you will find peace.

The welcoming nature of the Folly beach is indeed slow, making you want to slow down your life and refresh your mind with the mesmerizing breeze.

The southern culture offered by the people here is extremely warm and makes you feel comfortable and in no time you would feel at home.

Not only is the beach serene and peaceful, it even helps to tickle the adrenaline rush of yours by offering various water sports: kayaking, sea surfing, fishing, jet-skiing, parasailing and many more.

You can visit Folly Beach with your partner or with a group of 20. It sure has a lot to offer and give you memories for a lifetime.

Sullivan’s Island

Sullivan’s IslandSource: Wikimedia.org/Brian Stansberry | CC BY 3.0 UnportedPin

Sullivan’s Island is a beach which is unspoiled and well looked after.

Sullivan’s Island does not really have a lot to offer when it comes to swimming.

The waves have deadly currents in them which makes it extremely difficult to go for a swim or even just sit by the beach and enjoy the waters for a long time.

This Island has many other things to offer though. If you are looking for peace and tranquility this is the exact place for you.

You will be awestruck with its beautiful sunset and won’t be able to take your eyes off it. Uncrowded nature of the Island allows you to go for long and beautiful walks and spend your day lazing away.

Places you can visit in this Island are Fort Moultrie, which is a national monument and has overwhelming history to be discovered by you.

Sullivan’s Islands Lighthouse is another vivid attraction for the travelers visiting this exquisite Island, it stands 140 feet tall and has an unusually slim and triangular pattern.

You can enjoy paddling by renting a paddle boat also you can go kiteboarding, surfing and much more.

Falling in love with this tranquil beach is inevitable.

Myrtle Beach

Source: Wikimedia/The ed17 | CC BY-SA 4.0 InternationalPin

The inviting warm waters of Myrtle Beach is an extremely popular spot for travelers traveling with their family. It is probably one of the most popular beaches in the states.

Kids and adults visiting Myrtle Beach can indulge in several activities offered by this exciting place.

There is an amusement park located in the center of Myrtle Beach known as the Family Kingdom Amusement Park, offering exciting rides for the adults and the kids.

Beaches can be monotonous and boring at times, but not exactly the same happens when you are at Myrtle Beach as there are many more things which will definitely attract you if plan to step out from the regular beach fun.

A Beach Safari surely does seem inviting if you are in Myrtle Beach.

The Beach Safari is a tour for people in its 50 acres of wildlife preservation.

Variety of animals can be seen in this tour such as; Orangutans, Tigers, Chimpanzees and several other endangered species.

The Waves of this Island is knee high and can give you a relaxing experience.

This beach also offers a lot of water sports like surfing, Kayaking, Jet Skiing, Scuba Diving, Parasailing and many more.

The food of this particular beach is extremely mouth-watering, best among them are obviously the local ones.

Myrtle Beach has 50 mini golf courses. Myrtle Beach with its rich culture, food and a number of activities for the adults and kids is definitely ideal for a cozy, zealous and fun beach getaway.

Pawleys Island

Pawleys IslandSource: Wikimedia.org/Phoebe | CC BY-SA 4.0 InternationalPin

Pawleys Island remains famous for its sand dunes, with its wide beaches and silvery sand this beach had to grab the attention of people with a miraculous vision.

The main reason to visit this beach is because of its not so touristy nature.

It stays uncrowded during the seasons when beaches are most visited, like the spring break!

This beach is also famous for its beautiful and lovely Brookgreen Garden, it is one of the world’s most beautiful gardens.

The garden has a lot more to offer along with its enchanted forest like look.

You can stroll and meet different animals as well, at the local zoo. You can even go Go-Karting at the famous Broadway Grand Prix.

The hidden impulses in you can go take a ride and explore! You can even go fishing, surfing, kayaking and spend long hours sitting on the beach and keeping all your worldly worries aside. Pawley’s Island is a unique beach in its own godlike ways.

Edisto Beach

Edisto BeachSource: Wikimedia.org/See1,Do1,Teach1 | CC BY 2.0 GenericPin

Edisto Beach is absolutely a non-commercial beach for peace lovers and explorers.

This beach is not crowded at all and attracts all the explorers and solo travelers from in and around the world.

Not only it attracts solo travelers but also families and romantic couples. Camping spaces are loads on this beach.

You can indulge in fishing and many more water sports will attract you.

Edisto beach is surrounded by picturesque Oak trees.

You can also visit the Botany Bay plantation, but make sure you visit this place when there is low tide.

The scenic beauty of this place is unexplainable, as you see the trees coming out of the ocean it is surely going to take your breath away for real!

You will find yourself walking in the Atlantic ocean amidst the trees and you might even get to see Dolphins.

Edisto Beach is one of the top most favorite beaches to visit in South Carolina.

Kiawah Island

Source: Wikimedia/OzarksRazorback | CC BY-SA 4.0 InternationalPin

Solitude is one of the factors people visit this beach.

People traveling with families or people traveling alone, both are warmly welcomed by this gorgeous Island.

This long beach stretches up to 10 long miles with beautiful grassy marshes filled with birds and clean silvery sand dunes.

Freshfields Village is a must visit when visiting Kiawah Island, it offers a various number of cuisines and is an excellent place to do some refreshing shopping.

Knowing the Kiawah Island can only be done by getting a bit closer to the ocean, you can go Kayaking, Surfing or Paddle Boarding in this stunning place.

You will get to see Dolphins in the wild, enjoying their freedom.

If you are keen about fishing Kiawah Island’s Saltfisher Charters is the best place for you, this place also offers an up-close view of the strange and beautiful marine life.

You go fishing on a bot which can carry around six people, not only fishes there are beautiful birds as well for the nature enthusiast in you.

Coligny Beach

Coligny BeachSource: Flickr.com/Town of Hilton Head Island | Public Domain Mark 1.0Pin

Coligny Beach is huge and attracts a lot of people for its scenic beauty and cleanliness.

This beach offers a number of amazing restaurants with very exciting shopping places in and around the place.

The sand is artistic and looks like delicate silk particles.

Attracting a lot of pet lovers this beach is growing more and more popular because of its extreme pet-friendly nature. This beach has enormously beautiful sunsets.

There is an Art cafe in Coligny Beach where you can grab a bite of their delicious food and paint your heart out.

There are swings located all over the beaches, it is an ideal getaway for people who want to take time off from the daily hustle bustle of their busy lives and relax their minds.

Seabrook Island

Seabrook IslandSource: Wikipedia.org/chucka_nc | CC BY-SA 2.0 GenericPin

Seabrook Island in South Carolina is a 4-mile stretch beach with elegant white sand. Seabrook Island has indeed a lot to offer.

There’s plenty of activities surrounding this Island not only for adults but also for kids. Seabrook Island beach is a paradise for golfers as there unique golf courses situated on the island.

Not only golfers, but tennis players are also attracted to this beach.

You can even go for horseback rides on the beach. The horse rides on the beach gives you a feeling of belonging.

The breeze in your hair makes you feel like a part of everywhere.

You can even go biking and take your whole family along with you, whether you are an explorer or a simply want to cruise along the beachside, Seabrook Island is the place for you.

You can even opt for sports like Kayaking, Paddleboarding and you can go on exploring the Tidal Creeks, Atlantic Oceans, Salty marshlands, and rivers.

Nearby there is Freshfields Village which you can go and explore for your shopping needs. Seabrook Island is a treat for every individual, seeking time to relax.

Isle of Palms

Isle of PalmsSource: Wikipedia.org/Brian Stansberry | CC BY 4.0 InternationalPin

Besieged by water this Island which fronts the Atlantic Ocean is a Barrier Island and has a lot to offer with its marshlands and extraordinary wildlife.

There are many adventurous activities which this beach offers, like Paragliding, Sea surfing, Jet Skiing you can also enjoy with your group of friends and go on a banana boat ride.

It sure is going to a fun and frolic experience with all these activities surrounding you.

You can even rent a boat and go on traversing along the Bayside of this Island.

You can go on ideal seaside picnics on Isle of Palms County Park, this park is located close to the beach.

It has an extremely scenic view of the Atlantic Ocean with an area for swimming.

You can enjoy the sunsets while lying on your back or maybe taking a dip inside the gigantic and stunning ocean.

For fishing enthusiasts, this is a perfect place as it has open waters and allows you to fish your fill.

Isle of Palms as the name suggests is filled with tall Palm trees and is extremely appealing to nature lovers.

Huntington Beach State Park

Huntington Beach State ParkSource: Flickr.com/SachinChitale | CC BY 2.0 GenericPin

Huntington Beach State Park is one of the most visited beaches by families in the states.

This place offers an extremely unique hiking trail, which is a 2 mile trail known as the Sandpiper Pond Trail.

You can go bird-watching, hiking, fishing and much more.

You can even swim across the Atlantic ocean here, Huntington Beach has official lifeguards all over the beach during summers.

You can go Kayaking over salty marshlands, Geocaching is one of the most interesting things to do in this island, you can go on with your GPS and in no time you can be an expert in Geocaching.

Huntington Beach is a pristine beach with a lot to offer to us.

Murrells Inlet

Murrells InletSource: Wikimedia.org/MISC-creekgirl | CC BY-SA 4.0 InternationalPin

Murrells Inlet is a beach having a primitive and historical fishing place nearby, it also offers many new and exciting events and functions throughout the year.

It has some of the finest seafood in South Carolina and acts as a gateway to a lot of history and appeal of the state.

Due to the agelong fishing activity in Murrells Inlet, there are many boat rentals available for exploring the waters and also for deep-sea experiences.

A visit to this top attraction allows you access to Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk to get that wonderland experience with dining at the waterfront, special events, live entertainment, and many more.

If you love getting in touch with nature, then the Lowcountry Hiking Trail lets you explore the Brookgreen Gardens to see the largest collection of American outdoor sculptures.

This is a memorable experience you don’t want to miss!

Burkes Beach

Burkes BeachSource: Flickr.com/Town of Hilton Head Island | Public Domain Mark 1.0Pin

Burkes Beach is another amazing place to be in South Carolina, which offers a lot of fun activities with family and friends, groups, and pets are not exempted.

Burkes Beach is located near the Hilton Head Island.

If you are visiting Hilton Head Island this beach beach is just a few miles away and you can cycle your way to the beach.

The waves at the beach make it a great spot to go swimming, wakeboarding, surfing, and so much more.

There are bike trails that run through this broad sandy white beach with nearby attractions like Chaplin Community Park just a walk away with a playground for your dogs to roam about.

The beach has a great deal of outdoor showers but no restrooms so be sure to empty your stomach before heading down.

Regardless, the views of the Atlantic Ocean are stunning with other activities such as picnics, basketball and more.

Mitchellville Beach Park

Mitchellville Beach ParkSource: Flickr.com/Lee Coursey | CC BY 2.0 GenericPin

Mitchelville Beach Park is also located near Hilton Head Island. It offers beautiful soft and delicate sand and is extremely ideal for children.

This beach is very quiet and great if you want to run from the hustle and bustle of the city to relax.

Located in Hilton Head, Mitchellville Beach Park is a tranquil environment to take walks and explore its history through time.

Also, known as Fish Haul Beach Park, it is not far from Hilton Head Island Airport. It used to be a self-governed small town of once-enslaved people.

Established in the 1860s, Mitchellville Beach Park was home to more than 3,000 residents.

The beach has picnic tables, outdoor showers, and restrooms.

You will learn about the beach as you explore and read the informative signage around it.

Litchfield Beach

Litchfield BeachSource: Wikimedia.org/Laura Blankenship | CC BY-SA 2.0 GenericPin

Litchfield Beach is beach if you are seeking isolation from the overcrowded beaches as it is pristine and quiet. It is extremely close to Myrtle Beach.

This Beach stays lonely even during the summers.

It has so many activities for everyone to have a great time whether you are alone or with family and friends.

The natural ambience of the beach offers visitors stunning views and a wonderful experience which includes visits to nearby amenities.

With turquoise water and white sand, it is a perfect spot for relaxing, fishing, swimming, and sunbathing to name a few.

There is also a golf course nearby for golfers while those who love nature will explore the Waccamaw Neck Bikeway.

Other activities at Litchfield Beach include kayaking, jet-skiing and so much more.

Children can enjoy this attraction as the water is calm and shallow, so if you don’t want to swim it’s not a problem.

Make sure you arrive early due to tight parking at the beach.

Cherry Grove Beach

Cherry Grove BeachSource: Wikimedia.org/Festiva76 | Public Domain Mark 1.0Pin

Cherry Grove Beach is a small island but offers a lot of interesting places to visit. The most interesting thing to do is fishing and golfing.

Cherry Grove Beach is just about a few miles away from the border between South and North Carolina.

It is a super-duper-quality vacation spot for everyone who wants to spend quality time with their families.

The beach features various rentals to enjoy your vacation in the area, there are boating activities on the saltwater channels that twist and turn in and out of the community.

Wildlife experiences are also not left out and you can take the kids to nearby attractions around Cherry Grove Beach to explore the Alligator Adventure and O.D. Pavilion Amusement Park which is all family friendly.

Surfside Beach

Surfside BeachSource: Wikimedia.org/BullDawg2021 | CC BY-SA 4.0 InternationalPin

Also known as “the Family Beach,” Surfside Beach is south of Myrtle Beach on the Grand Strand.

The beach is family-focused which goes even beyond its nickname, in January of 2016 the beach was declared the first autism-friendly destination of the world.

Travelers can explore the sandy beach shores through its 36 access points which also include wheelchair access for the physically challenged.

Other amenities include a game of mini golf, restaurants, hotels (such as the Surfside Beach Oceanfront Hotel), home rentals, and many more.

Front Beach, Isle of Palms

Front Beach, Isle of PalmsSource: Wikimedia.org/Brian Stansberry | CC BY 4.0 InternationalPin

Front Beach is located on the Isle of Palms, a city in South Carolina.

The newly designed beach sits on Ocean Boulevard from 10th to 14th Avenues on Isle of Palms, the city has 6 miles of white sandy beaches and it is just under 20 minutes drive from Charleston.

There are 2 championship golf courses all open for public use, and many water sports activities such as fishing, kayaking, surfing, and so much more.

It is a family-friendly location with magnificent views of Isle of Palms County Park which sits in the heart of the city.

Visitors can rent chairs, umbrellas, and boats, and the beach comes with outdoor showers and lifeguards who work seasonally.

You can relax at the Windjammer oceanfront restaurant and bar and enjoy live music.

Seabrook Island Beaches

Seabrook Island BeachesSource: Wikimedia.org/John Phelan | CC BY-SA 3.0 UnportedPin

If you want a peaceful and picturesque beach to relax with family, then the Seabrook Island Beaches are your best bet.

Located on Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island offers visitors a small communal ambience with its two amazing beaches – North Beach and Pelican Beach which both run 4 miles along the shore.

Pelican Beach is great for families due to its calm waves, while North Beach is perfect for travellers who would love to go horseback riding and wildlife spotting such as Dolphins, Turtles, Birds, and many more.

Other amenities include a beach club, an equestrian centre, oceanfront swimming pools, two golf courses, and a tennis club at the Seabrook Island Club.

Daufuskie Island

Daufuskie IslandSource: Wikimedia.org/Bill Pearmain | CC BY-SA 3.0 UnportedPin

Last on our list is Daufuskie Island.

This island is nestled between Hilton Head Island and Savannah, Georgia.

The beauty of the island is it can only be accessible via boat, which gives visitors quiet time away from the city’s noise.

It is not as crowded as other beaches so you are sure to spend quality time by yourself, with family, friends, and more.

The beach also has a top-rated golf course and an equestrian center at Haig Point which is home to amazing restaurants, accommodations and more on the island.

You can also get other home rentals if you need to, this is a great place to be for anyone in South Carolina.

Conclusion

South Carolina is a great place to be and it offers magnificent and breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean amongst other top attractions.

Furthermore, it has some of the best beaches in the country that are lively and also located on remote islands.

Depending on the kind of experience you want to have in the state, the weather in South Carolina is temperate all through the year.

So, if you want to have an amazing time in a quiet place to relax with your family and friends or by yourself, then make your choice from the list of best beaches to visit in South Carolina and start exploring today.

Have the best fun ever!

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