South Carolina’s coastline stretches for nearly 200 miles, offering an incredible variety of beach experiences from bustling resort towns to secluded barrier islands. The Palmetto State’s coastal charm combines Southern hospitality with pristine sandy shores, historic lighthouses, and some of the best seafood you’ll find anywhere along the Atlantic. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly boardwalks, romantic getaways, or untouched natural preserves, South Carolina’s seaside destinations deliver something special for every type of beach lover.
Each coastal community has developed its distinct personality over the decades, shaped by everything from Gullah culture to resort development. Here is a list of 18 seaside escapes that showcase the very best of what South Carolina’s coast has to offer.
Myrtle Beach
The crown jewel of South Carolina’s Grand Strand offers 60 miles of sandy beaches along with enough entertainment to keep families busy for weeks. The famous boardwalk stretches for over a mile, featuring amusement rides, arcades, and countless dining options that range from casual seafood shacks to upscale restaurants.
Beyond the beach, visitors can explore dozens of championship golf courses, catch live shows, or enjoy attractions like the SkyWheel, a 187-foot-tall Ferris wheel that offers stunning ocean views.
Hilton Head Island
This upscale barrier island has mastered the art of luxury coastal living while maintaining strict environmental protections that keep development tasteful and low-key. The island’s 12 miles of pristine beaches are complemented by world-class resorts, championship golf courses designed by legends like Jack Nicklaus, and bike paths that wind through maritime forests.
Hilton Head’s commitment to preserving its natural beauty means you’ll find more Spanish moss and wildlife than high-rise buildings, creating a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere that attracts visitors from around the world.
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Kiawah Island
Known primarily for its spectacular golf courses, including the Ocean Course that has hosted multiple major championships, Kiawah Island offers 10 miles of pristine beaches that feel wonderfully secluded. The island’s commitment to environmental conservation means that much of its 10,000 acres remains undeveloped, providing habitat for loggerhead sea turtles, dolphins, and more than 30 species of birds.
Visitors can stay at the luxurious Ocean House resort or rent private homes, but either way, they’ll enjoy some of the most beautiful and uncrowded beaches on the entire East Coast.
Folly Beach
This laid-back barrier island, just 12 miles from historic Charleston, has earned the nickname ‘Edge of America’ for its relaxed, slightly Bohemian vibe. The town’s colorful beach houses, local surf shops, and casual restaurants create an atmosphere that’s more California cool than a traditional Southern resort.
Folly Beach Pier extends 1,045 feet into the Atlantic, making it one of the longest piers on the East Coast and a prime spot for fishing, while the Morris Island Lighthouse stands as a photogenic reminder of the area’s maritime history.
Isle of Palms
Connected to the mainland by the picturesque Intracoastal Waterway, Isle of Palms combines small-town charm with easy access to Charleston’s dining and cultural scene. The island’s wide, sandy beaches are perfect for families, while the Wild Dunes Resort offers championship golf and tennis facilities for more active visitors.
Front Beach, the island’s main public area, features shops, restaurants, and rental companies, while the quieter residential areas provide a peaceful retreat with stunning marsh and ocean views.
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Sullivan’s Island
This historic island community maintains a distinctly residential feel despite being just 20 minutes from downtown Charleston. The island played a crucial role in coastal defense during the Civil War, with nearby Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie highlighting the area’s military significance.
Sullivan’s Island’s beaches are less commercialized than many coastal destinations, with limited parking that keeps crowds manageable and a relaxed atmosphere that locals work hard to preserve.
Pawleys Island
Often called ‘America’s oldest summer resort,’ this narrow barrier island has been attracting visitors since the 1700s when rice plantation owners built summer homes to escape inland heat and mosquitoes. The island’s rustic charm comes from its deliberately underdeveloped character, with weathered beach houses, unpaved roads, and a general store that looks much the same as it did decades ago.
Pawleys Island’s beaches are perfect for long walks, shelling, and simply enjoying the kind of peaceful coastal experience that’s becoming increasingly rare.
Hunting Island State Park
This 5,000-acre state park on a barrier island near Beaufort offers some of the most pristine and undeveloped coastline in South Carolina. The park’s main attraction is its historic lighthouse, built in 1859 and still climbable for those brave enough to tackle the 167 steps to the top.
Hunting Island’s beaches are constantly changing due to natural erosion and accretion, creating a dynamic landscape of driftwood sculptures and tidal pools that make every visit feel like a discovery.
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Edisto Beach
This small, family-friendly community on Edisto Island offers a refreshingly uncommercialized beach experience just an hour from Charleston. The island’s location at the mouth of the Edisto River creates excellent fishing opportunities, while its undeveloped character means you’re more likely to encounter dolphins and shorebirds than crowds of tourists.
Edisto Beach State Park provides camping facilities and nature trails, while the small town center offers a few local restaurants and shops that cater to families who return year after year.
Litchfield Beach
Situated between Myrtle Beach and Charleston, Litchfield Beach offers a quieter alternative to the Grand Strand’s busier destinations while maintaining easy access to golf courses and restaurants. The area’s wide, flat beaches are perfect for biking, while the nearby Huntington Beach State Park provides opportunities to spot alligators, birds, and other wildlife in their natural habitat.
Litchfield’s combination of natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere makes it particularly popular with couples and families seeking a more relaxed coastal experience.
Garden City Beach
This small community just south of Myrtle Beach maintains a distinctly local feel despite its proximity to one of the East Coast’s biggest tourist destinations. The Garden City Pier extends 668 feet into the Atlantic and remains a popular spot for fishing, crabbing, and simply watching the sunrise over the ocean.
Garden City Beach’s restaurants focus heavily on fresh, local seafood, and the community’s commitment to maintaining its small-town character means visitors can enjoy beautiful beaches without the crowds and commercialization found just a few miles north.
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Surfside Beach
Known as the ‘Family Beach,’ Surfside offers a perfect compromise between the excitement of Myrtle Beach and the tranquility of smaller coastal communities. The town’s wide, sandy beaches are complemented by a charming pier and a small business district that includes several excellent seafood restaurants and local shops.
Surfside Beach has worked hard to maintain its family-friendly atmosphere, with regulations that keep development reasonable and events throughout the year that bring the community together.
North Myrtle Beach
This collection of four former beach communities offers a slightly more upscale and less crowded alternative to Myrtle Beach proper, while still providing access to all the Grand Strand’s attractions. The area is famous as the birthplace of the shag, South Carolina’s state dance, and several clubs still offer lessons and live music for this distinctive beach dance.
North Myrtle Beach’s golf courses are consistently ranked among the best in the region, while its restaurants range from casual beachfront grills to fine dining establishments that showcase the area’s excellent seafood.
Seabrook Island
This private, gated island community offers an exclusive coastal experience focused on championship golf, pristine beaches, and environmental conservation. The island’s two world-class golf courses, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Jack Nicklaus, are consistently ranked among the best in the country, while its beaches remain largely undeveloped and perfect for quiet walks or horseback riding.
Seabrook Island’s commitment to preserving its natural environment means that visitors often spot deer, foxes, and a variety of bird species throughout the island’s maritime forests and marshes.
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Daufuskie Island
Accessible only by boat or ferry from Hilton Head, Daufuskie Island offers a glimpse into coastal South Carolina’s past with its preserved Gullah culture and undeveloped landscapes. The island’s beaches are among the most pristine and uncrowded on the entire coast, while its small community maintains traditions that date back generations.
Visitors can explore the island by golf cart, visit historic sites like the old schoolhouse, or simply enjoy the kind of peaceful coastal experience that’s become increasingly rare in our connected world.
Fripp Island
This private resort island near Beaufort combines luxury accommodations with outstanding natural beauty and some of the state’s best golf courses. The island’s beaches are consistently rated among the most beautiful in South Carolina, with wide stretches of sand that are perfect for long walks or simply relaxing in the sun.
Fripp Island’s two championship golf courses take advantage of the island’s natural terrain and ocean views, while its marina provides access to some of the best fishing and dolphin watching opportunities on the coast.
Harbor Island
Connected to Hunting Island by a small bridge, Harbor Island offers an exclusive resort experience with a small number of rental properties and private homes rather than large resorts. The island’s beaches are pristine and largely undeveloped, while its location near the ACE Basin provides access to some of the most important wildlife habitat on the East Coast.
Harbor Island’s commitment to environmental conservation means that visitors often encounter loggerhead sea turtles during nesting season and can explore marshes and maritime forests that remain largely unchanged from their natural state.
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Bull Island
Part of the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, Bull Island is accessible only by boat and offers one of the most pristine and undeveloped coastal experiences available anywhere on the East Coast. The island’s beaches stretch for miles without any development, while its maritime forests provide habitat for deer, wild turkeys, and over 280 species of birds.
Bull Island’s remoteness and protected status mean that visitors can experience coastal South Carolina much as it existed centuries ago, with pristine beaches, untouched dunes, and wildlife populations that thrive without human interference.
Where Ocean Meets Heritage
South Carolina’s coastal communities represent more than just beautiful beaches and resort amenities; they’re living repositories of American history, Gullah culture, and environmental conservation success stories. From the bustling energy of Myrtle Beach to the pristine wilderness of Bull Island, each destination offers its interpretation of what makes coastal living special.
The state’s commitment to balancing development with conservation has created a coastline where visitors can still find both excitement and solitude, often within just a few miles of each other. Whether you’re drawn by championship golf, historic lighthouses, or simply the chance to walk for miles on uncrowded beaches, South Carolina’s seaside escapes prove that the best coastal experiences combine natural beauty with genuine Southern hospitality.
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