A Day at the Beach

Your Guide to Charleston’s Beaches

By Holly Fisher

If you came to Charleston looking to unwind, look no further than one of our local beaches. The cares of the world melt away when your feet hit the sand and you hear the melodic sounds of ocean waves. Soak up the laid-back vibe of Folly Beach, the family friendly feel of Isle of Palms or the unspoiled ocean views at Sullivan’s Island. Each beach has its own character and appeal, so review our guide and then decide which beach you want to visit – or visit them all!

FOLLY BEACH

This barrier island beach has a laid-back atmosphere and is frequented by locals and surfers. With plenty of restaurants, surf shops, hotels and beach rentals, Folly Beach is a great place to spend some time. Plus, Folly is a short drive from the heart of downtown Charleston with all its attractions and activities. Note, summertime traffic can be extra heavy. If you’re not staying on the beach, plan to arrive by 10 a.m. Where to park: Limited parking is available at Folly Beach County Park (1100 W. Ashley Ave.), so plan to arrive early to secure a spot. Parking fees vary by season. The most you’ll pay is $10 per vehicle Monday to Friday and $15 on Saturday and Sunday. You can easily access the beach via the park, where you’ll be close to restrooms, outdoor showers, a snack bar and lifeguards. Rules to know: Alcohol is not allowed on Folly Beach. Dogs are not allowed on the beach from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 1 through Sept. 30. At other times, dogs much be leashed; pick up after your pet. Surfing without a leash is prohibited. Between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. May 15 to Sept. 15, surfing is not allowed from 2nd Street East to 3rd Street West (known as the swimming zone). More info and complete beach rules: cityoffollybeach.com Folly Beach fun fact: One of Folly’s famous visitors was composer and pianist George Gershwin. While staying at Folly, he composed the classic opera “Porgy and Bess.”

ISLE OF PALMS

Located just a few minutes from Mount Pleasant, the Isle of Palms has plenty of amenities and is a great family-friendly beach option. This stretch of public beach has a selection of shops, restaurants and bars, plus public restrooms. The area of Ocean Boulevard from 10th Avenue to 14th Avenue is set aside for beachgoers and is known as “Front Beach.” If you’re not staying on Isle of Palms, plan to arrive early. The Isle of Palms Connector backs up quickly with beach traffic.

Where to park: Parking is regulated along the public rights-of-way between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Visitors can park their vehicles on any road right-of-way within the Beach Parking District unless it has been marked with a “no parking” sign. Metered street parking is available along with paid parking in the Municipal Parking Lots and at Isle of Palms County Park. For access to picnic tables, showers, restrooms, seasonal lifeguards and a playground, you might want to park at the Isle of Palms County Park. Rules to know: Dogs are allowed off leash on the beach from 5-9 a.m. April 1 to Sept. 14 and from 4 p.m. to 10 a.m. Sept. 15 to March 31. At all other times, dogs must be on a leash – even in the water. No smoking, alcoholic beverages, glass containers, fires or fireworks. Single-use plastics and Styrofoam products are also prohibited. More info and complete beach rules: iop.net IOP fun fact: Loggerhead sea turtles often lay their eggs at the Isle of Palms from May to mid-August. From July until October, the loggerhead hatchlings emerge from their nest at night and make their way to the ocean. Do not disturb any nests or any hatchlings and be sure to fill any holes you dig on the beach. If you’re staying on the beach, be sure to turn out your lights at night. The Town of Sullivan’s Island, a barrier island north of the Charleston harbor, has only about 2,000 residents. With its unspoiled views and terrific dining options, Sullivan’s is a favorite among Charleston area locals. The beach has few short-term rentals and no hotels, so plan a day trip to this beach, also located just a few minutes from Isle of Palms. Where to park: Parking can be a problem if you arrive after 10 a.m. There are no public parking lots, and street parking is allowed only on one side of the street. Be sure to obey posted signs and don’t park in any private yards or driveways. Rules to know: Sullivan’s Island has no public restrooms or showers and there are no lifeguards on duty. Alcohol is not permitted on the beach. All dogs visiting the island must have a dog permit and should wear the town-issued collar while on Sullivan’s Island. Permits and collars are available at Town Hall, 2050-B Middle St.; 843-883-3198. Dogs are not allowed on the beach from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 1 through Sept. 30. More info and complete beach rules: sullivansisland.sc.gov Sullivan’s Island fun fact: This Island has a long military history of protecting the Charleston harbor from invaders. Visit Fort Moultrie – originally built with palmetto logs in 1776 – to learn how it has been restored to reflect the story of American seacoast defense up through World War II.

KIAWAH ISLAND

Another of Charleston’s beautiful beaches is Kiawah Island. Much of the island and its beaches are private, but you can access a portion of public beachfront via Kiawah Beachwalker Park on the west end of the island. It has restrooms, picnic areas with grills, and boardwalks. Parking fees vary by season. The most you’ll pay is $10 per vehicle Monday to Friday and $15 on Saturday and Sunday. Lifeguards are on duty seasonally, and, at the park, dogs must be leashed at all times.