10 Best Beaches in South Carolina

Myrtle Beach is one of the most famous beaches in South Carolina, famed for its soft sands and family-friendly atmosphere. The water here gets super warm, especially in summer, and the beach stretches on for thousands of feet in both directions, providing plenty of space even when the big crowds come in.

You can enjoy all kinds of activities both on the sands and out in the water too, like jet skiing, surfing, and sunbathing. Families will also appreciate nearby attractions like the Kingdom Amusement Park, as well as local golf courses and welcoming restaurants. In the evening, the town comes alive with a host of fun activities to enjoy.

Kiawah Island is a 13.5-sq-mile barrier island about half an hour away from Charleston. A genuine slice of paradise on the South Carolina coast, it offers about 10 miles of beautiful beaches in total, complete with stunning natural surroundings of sand dunes and maritime forests.

The views here are spectacular, and you can sit on the beach and admire luxury yachts sailing by for hours on end. Just be sure to follow the signs, as many of the beaches on the island are privately-owned, so you need to be careful to stick to the public patches.

Hilton Head Island has a lot to offer, from its golf courses and museums to its magnificent views, and it's also one of the best beach spots in South Carolina, offering 12 miles of sandy shores in total.

One of the best parts of this beach is its amenities. You'll find lots of bars and restaurants just a short walk from the sand, and it's easy to make arrangements for various activities like paddle boarding or fishing. There are lots of spas and luxury accommodation locations nearby too, making Hilton Head a fine place to spend a few nights.

Folly Beach is one of the best-known coastal spots in the state, attracting many visitors each and every year. There's a huge jetty here, the Edwin S. Taylor Fishing Pier, which always draws in the locals and tourists, especially in the early evenings as the sun starts to set.

Folly Beach also stands out as a fisher's paradise, and you can easily hop on board one of the many local boat tours in search of some red drum or sea bass, or dangle your line right over the pier's edge among the locals.

Huntington Beach State Park is a prime spot for wildlife lovers, as you can see all kinds of animals here from sea turtles and alligators to a wide range of seabirds too.

There are various trails to follow and a boardwalk too, plus the unique historic landmark – Atalaya Castle – which dates back to the 1930s. You'll find picnic facilities and campsites here too if you'd like to spend a full day or even a little longer in the park.

Edisto Beach is one of the most charming and peaceful coastal spots in South Carolina, a far cry from the hustle and bustle of some of the state's busier beaches. Simple and pristine, you won't find dozens of bars and attractions here.

Instead, it's a place where people come to relax, listening to the sounds of the waves, walking hand in hand along the water's edge, and watching the sun go down. Boat tours and kayaking expeditions are also available if you'd like to explore the area a little further.

Murrells Inlet is a charming little fishing town in Georgetown County. A fine spot for fishing in all of its forms, this sleepy town is also a popular place with couples or groups of friends looking for a more quiet and relaxed kind of atmosphere.

There are some nice shops and restaurants in the town itself, and even though you won't find much sand here, there are some stunning salt marshes to admire. Tourists also might be interested in the Murrells Inlet Marshwalk, a beautiful half-mile boardwalk offering some of the loveliest views in the area.

Isle of Palms is a long, thin barrier island situated just a short drive from Charleston. A beloved resort destination for the state's wealthier visitors, the island is home to some outstanding resorts and hotels, complete with a full-size golf course and various luxury homes right down on the beach for all to admire.

In spite of its allure for the rich and famous, Isle of Palms remains accessible and welcoming to all. It's a great spot to visit for typical beach activities like swimming and sunbathing, and you can also enjoy cycling all over the island too, as well as annual music shows and festivals.

Surfside Beach is also known as 'The Family Beach' due to its family-friendly appeal. It's highly affordable, with a wide choice of local eateries and amenities, and offers around 2 miles of sands to enjoy, backing onto an equally long boardwalk lined with shops and restaurants.

The surrounding area plays home to various family-style attractions like mini-golf courses and even a water park, so there's plenty to do here to go along with sunbathing, making sandcastles with the little ones, and taking a walk along the pier.

Cherry Grove Beach is something of a hidden gem on the South Carolina coastline, often overlooked in favour of the better-known beaches. Still, this place has a lot to offer, starting with really soft, white sands, warm waters in summer, and gorgeous views all around. It's no surprise that many SC natives head here for their vacations to avoid the crowds.

Cherry Grove is great for boating in particular, with lots of tour and rental companies, and there's even a family amusement park just a short drive away. It's only a small place, but you'll be surprised just how much fun you can have here on the fishing pier or at one of the local restaurants.