Discover the Best of The Charleston Beaches

When people think of Charleston, they often picture its rich history and remarkable cuisine. However, for many, the true magnet drawing them to Charleston is its beaches.

Many people are unaware that Myrtle Beach is the last coastal beach in the U.S. until you reach Jacksonville, FL, 300 miles south. Between these points, all beaches are on coastal islands, many of which are uninhabited. Charleston, however, boasts four major inhabited islands along the coast, each offering a unique beach experience: Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, Folly Beach, and Kiawah Island.

Isle of Palms: Known locally as IOP, this is the northernmost inhabited island in Charleston, stretching approximately five miles long. At the northern end lies the private resort Wild Dunes, while the remaining three-quarters of the island features public beaches. Midway through the island is Front Beach, a small shopping area with a few restaurants and souvenir shops. IOP is notorious for its traffic and public parking issues, with the two-and-a-half-mile-long connector often bumper-to-bumper during peak season.

Sullivan’s Island: Favored by families, Sullivan’s Island offers beautiful beaches but limited activities. There are no public restrooms, hotels, or souvenir shops, though there are several restaurants. Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms are connected to the mainland by bridges, with a small bridge known as Breach Inlet linking the two islands.

Folly Beach: Located south of the harbor, Folly Beach is known as a quirky, laid-back beach town. Despite being looked down upon by its northern cousins, Sullivan’s and Isle of Palms, Folly Beach features a lovely beach, various shops, restaurants, and hotels, as well as the only public pier into the ocean. Parking can be challenging, with limited free street parking several blocks from the beach and mostly paid municipal street parking or pricey private lots closer to the shore.

Kiawah Island: Situated 45 minutes south of Charleston down a two-lane road, Kiawah Island offers exclusive beaches. While most of the island is privately owned and gated, there are public beaches with minimal amenities. Shops and restaurants are found several miles from the beaches in a central area called Freshfields Village.