The Best Beaches in South Carolina

Grand Strand

The heart of the Grand Strand — a long, wide beach behind the boardwalk and SkyWheel, with metered streets and paid lots that fill fast near the pier in season.

Charleston area

Charleston’s laid-back surf town — “The Washout” is the area’s best-known break, and parking is the real challenge, with metered streets and a paid pier lot that go early.

Charleston area

A family-friendly barrier island near Charleston with a county park, playground, and gentle surf — the county lot is paid by the car and the metered side streets fill on hot weekends.

Coligny Beach

Twelve miles of hard-packed Lowcountry sand good for biking and families — public access is via beach parks like Coligny and Driessen, whose paid lots fill first on summer days.

Grand Strand

The self-styled “Family Beach” just south of Myrtle — calmer and lower-key, with metered spots near the pier and free residential side streets a short walk away.

Charleston area

A quiet, upscale island beside Isle of Palms with no boardwalk and few facilities — free street parking is the only option and it’s scarce, so most walk in from the neighborhood.

Kiawah Island

The only public access on otherwise-private Kiawah Island — a pristine county-park beach whose small paid lot is the gatekeeper and sells out early on summer weekends.

Beaufort area

A wild, maritime-forest barrier island near Beaufort with a historic lighthouse and driftwood-strewn sand — a state park that charges per person and closes the gate when it hits capacity.