Roofer in Folly Beach, SC

Folly Beach is making a significant comeback this beach season, thanks to a multi-million dollar renourishment project in collaboration with the Army Corps of Engineers. April 22, 2025. (Jason Tighe/WCIV)

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FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCIV) — Folly Beach is making a significant comeback this beach season, thanks to a multi-million dollar renourishment project in collaboration with the Army Corps of Engineers.

The project, which costs around $18 million, aims to widen the beaches for both storm protection and recreation.

"The beach looks great today. The renourishment project really helped," said Nicole Elko, the City of Folly Beach's Coastal Management Consultant. Elko reflected on the progress made so far, noting that last year's efforts brought more than 100 feet of sand to the beach, addressing the dangerously low sand levels caused by various weather events.

This year's focus is on reinforcing the six miles of beachfront dunes. "The contractor should be here with new sea grasses, and other plants that will go in along the dune system here," Elko said. Planting vegetation is expected to restore the health of the dunes, which have been damaged or destroyed by recent storms.

"During the last several hurricanes, many of Folly's dunes were eroded. So, there are some parts of the community that have seawalls exposed, or they did prior to the renourishments. So they're dunes are completely gone. So, building the dunes back with the sand that's available on the beach is a high priority of the project," Elko explained. The restoration work will help the upper part of the beach manage major flooding issues.

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Elko emphasized the importance of these protections for Folly Beach's way of life. "The economic benefit of the beach is critical for a community like Folly. They essentially can't operate without the beach," she said. Additionally, the project supports wildlife, including critical species that rely on the beach and dunes as their habitat.

This includes turtles, which nest in the dunes to protect their eggs. Turtle nesting season officially begins next month.

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The planting on the dunes represents a small portion of the overall project's cost, but it is a crucial step in ensuring the long-term health and sustainability of Folly Beach's coastline.

Discover Charleston-area favorites and lesser-known oceanfront communities.

The South Carolina coast is full of laid-back beach towns with wide stretches of sand, palm-lined bike paths, quaint boardwalks, and restaurants cooking up fresh-caught Lowcountry fare. I’ve spent much of my life frequenting the Palmetto State’s beach towns—visiting Kiawah Island every year and even living in Charleston for a period. Using my own experience and the expertise of a few locals, we narrowed down the list to the 10 best beach towns in South Carolina. See if your favorite made the cut below.

Isle of Palms

I’ve spent countless days on Isle of Palms, a small barrier island about 15 miles from downtown Charleston. It's one of the more family-friendly beach destinations in the area, and many visitors opt to stay at Wild Dunes Resort or rent a roomy oceanfront home. No matter where you are on the island, though, its leisurely pace, wide beach, and classic small-town vibes will entice visitors of all ages. One of my favorite things to do on “IOP,” as the locals call it, is to grab dinner at Islander 71 and watch the boats come in and out of the marina. I’d also recommend checking out the live music schedule at The Windjammer—or picking up a frosé (frozen rosé) to-go from The Co-Op.

Kiawah Island

In South Carolina, a beach town should evoke a nostalgic mix of humidity, salt water, and the distinctly earthy smell of pluff mud emanating from the salt marshes. Kiawah Island meets all of these criteria—and then some. A majority of the island functions as a gated private community, accessible only to residents, their guests, and those with reservations. However, there are a couple of areas open to the public if you want to do a day trip, namely Kiawah Beachwalker Park and the shopping center Freshfields Village. At the latter, you can load up on all your vacation essentials: groceries, beach reads, bathing suits, and more.

Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach may technically be a city, but it has all of the trappings of your classic beach town. There’s a bustling boardwalk, golf courses, go-karts, souvenir shopping, and, of course, a number of public beaches. “I’ve always been drawn to the nostalgia that you can find on Myrtle Beach,” says Betsy Fuller, owner of A Maker’s Post, a gift shop on Sullivan's Island. “One of my favorite movies, 'Shag,' is set there, and whenever I watch it, I daydream about going back to visit the beach town in the 1950s.”

While it might be synonymous with spring break crowds and families on summer vacation, this is a destination that always delivers beach fun—whether you’re hoping to spend the day by the water or keeping your schedule full from sunup to sundown.

25 Best Things to Do in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Pawleys Island

Relaxation is paramount when you’re visiting Pawleys Island, a barrier island beach town located between Myrtle Beach and Charleston. This is the type of place where time slows down, you’re encouraged to log off and enjoy the natural splendor of South Carolina’s coast. Spend your days crabbing, surfing (if the waves permit), fishing, golfing, or dining on classic Lowcountry staples like okra soup or shrimp and grits; just don’t forget to save time for the art of doing absolutely nothing. For a particularly romantic getaway, book a room at The Pelican Inn, an eight-bedroom bed-and-breakfast with a charming wraparound porch.

Folly Beach

"As someone who lives 10 minutes from Folly Beach, I certainly feel like I'm on vacation where I live,” says Katie Hirsch, the former director and chief curator of the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art. One of the closest beach towns to Charleston, it’s a great option for a day trip if you’re visiting the Holy City; just be sure to arrive on the earlier side if you want to beat the crowds and have an easier time parking. Plus, “if you're an early riser,” says Hirsch, you might want to “try finding shark teeth during a morning beach walk.” She also recommends grabbing some food at local favorite Jack of Cups Saloon for “unexpected bites inspired by Asian cuisine.”

Hilton Head Island

"Hilton Head Island is one of the best places to escape to if you want to be near a beach town but want a different environment from Charleston,” explains Hirsch. “It has modern touches but still keeps its Southern charm, appealing to both tourists and locals alike.”

The historic island is known for its golf courses and bike trails, but offers a wide variety of things to do. Gullah heritage tours, boat rides, paddleboarding, and birding are all itinerary contenders, and Hirsch also says the destination has “some of the best thrift stores.” If that’s up your alley, save an afternoon for exploring the goods at The Bargain Box, My Sister’s Closet, and The Church Mouse.

Sullivan’s Island

Sullivan’s Island continues to be a favorite South Carolina beach town—especially for Charlestonians. “The beach is very relaxed, and the marsh views are second to none,” says Fuller. “If you’re visiting, I’d recommend taking a long beach walk [and exiting] at Station 22.5, so you can head into ‘town,’ aka Middle Street, to do a little shopping.” This part of Sullivan’s Island is popular for its various eateries; there’s everything from Mexican and barbecue to burgers and seafood. Fuller recommends getting a table at High Thyme or The Obstinate Daughter, then grabbing a nightcap at Dunleavy’s Pub.

12 Best Beach Towns on the East Coast, According to Locals

Beaufort

The second-oldest city in South Carolina, Beaufort is often compared to Charleston; it’s historic, beautiful, and filled with oak trees and amazing architecture. Its proximity to the water is also a perk. Like Charleston, you’ll have to drive a bit out of the main hub to get to the beach. If you don’t mind parking your beach chair by Battery Creek, rather than the Atlantic Ocean, make your way to the Sands Beach on the southern end of Port Royal. The beach is free to the public, and there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained, including a boardwalk, an observation tower, and shark-teeth-hunting opportunities. For a true oceanfront spot, you’ll need to drive half an hour to Hunting Island State Park, where five miles of beautiful beaches live alongside marshes, a saltwater lagoon, and maritime forests.

Murrells Inlet

Murrells Inlet, or the “Seafood Capital of South Carolina,” makes this list for a few reasons. For starters, the historic fishing village has a feature known as MarshWalk. Spanning a half-mile along a natural saltwater estuary, the wooden boardwalk is home to several restaurants, including Bovine’s, Wahoo’s Fish House, and The Claw House. Head five minutes down the road and you'll arrive at the far-from-crowded Huntington Beach State Park, where you can find three miles of pristine sands to lie on. If you have some time, stop by Brookgreen Gardens, a 9,127 site that also includes a zoo and sculpture garden.

Edisto Beach

Located on Edisto Island, Edisto Beach isn’t your typical, buzzy beach town—and that’s the beauty of it. There are no stoplights, high rises, or chain restaurants on the island, and the town wholeheartedly embraces the magic of slow living. Visitors can explore the 4.5 miles of coastline, take a dip in the ocean, and search for shells, shark teeth, and other fossils that may wash up on shore. Biking, kayaking, and dolphin tours are also popular vacation activities. But if there’s absolutely one thing you can’t miss while visiting Edisto Beach, it's the glorious sunsets. Bring a blanket to Edisto Beach State Park, sit back, and enjoy the show.

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Beach season is still in full force, and you don't have to go to California or Florida or put your passport to use in Cancun to enjoy an awesome beach vacation.

Florida seems to steal most of the glory in the South, with Gulf Shores not far behind, but there are more southern coastal destinations well worth a visit.

One of those being South Carolina.

While the historic, charming city of Charleston has become one of the trendiest getaways in the nation, it's the state's beaches that travelers are raving about this summer.

According to Southern Living, these are the top 6 beaches in South Carolina. Plus, stick around to the end to the end for a bonus #7, our editor's top pick!

Edisto Island is a barrier island nearly 40 miles from Charleston.

Definitely not a household name, locals have begun to shine a light on this beautiful beach for its raw, untouched appeal.

Away from the hustle and bustle of more popular beaches, Edisto is perfect for a relaxing getaway for all ages and even includes multiple golf courses.

Go camping, hiking, biking, or lounging in the summer sun away from the crowds.

Many visitors love spending an extended time on the island's State Park by booking a cozy cabin with rates beginning at $185 in August.

One of the bigger names in South Carolina, Hilton Head sees its fair share of crowds, unlike Edisto.

Offering more of what you'd expect from a popular beach town, such as trendy shops, restaurants, and prime hotel real estate along the scenic beachfront, there's never a dull moment on Hilton Head Island.

Not only does this lovely island have 12 miles of beaches, the area is surrounded by waterways made for exploring.

Rent a kayak, take a boat tour, or even go dolphin-watching. Check out picturesque Harbour Town to tick off all these boxes.

Of course, beaches are the main draw at the end of the day. Most tourists agree Coligny Beach is the place to be with ‘beautiful sand dunes' and ‘beautiful views'.

Maybe not a recognized nation, but Isle of Palms is still a local's favorite retreat despite being relatively popular since the 1970's, with classic resorts standing the test of time like Wild Dunes.

Adding to the allure, it's super easy to access as it's only 30 minutes from Charleston.

Sandwiched between the vast Atlantic and the South's standard marshlands, the setting couldn't be prettier.

If there's one thing to know about visiting the Isle of Palms, it's to be prepared to stay put.

The barrier island is only 7 miles long and 1 mile wide, perfect for lovely strolls along the beach.

There's famous Myrtle Beach…and then there's North Myrtle Beach, a whole different world according to vacationers.

In fact, they are 30 minutes apart, technically. North Myrtle offers less razzmatazz for those who prefer similar amenities without the ‘touristy' vibes.

You know, like a giant Ferris wheel on the beach and Ripley's Believe It or Not “museums”. Myrtle Beach isn't known for being outrageously expensive, but North Myrtle tends to offer even more savings across the board.

Check out popular Barefoot Landing for the best eats, shopping and family-friendly fun such as live music.

Kiawah Island is an outdoor lover's dream. Set between the scenic Kiawah River and gorgeous views of the Atlantic Ocean, visitors have their choice on how to spend their time in nature.

Most choose to hit the sand at Beachwalker Park, the only public beach access here, but the area's 30 miles of convenient biking and hiking trails are second best weaving through South Carolina's beautiful ecosystems.

That is if you choose to leave the posh digs of the immaculate beachfront hotel, The Sanctuary.

Best of all, Kiawah is secluded, unlike, say, Myrtle Beach, where there is virtually no privacy.

Tip: there are only 150 parking spaces that usually fill up in summer months by 10:30am

One of the closest beaches to Charleston is also the best! Taking the #1 spot, this pretty beach just 12 miles away.

Locals have dubbed this beach “the edge of America”, which doesn't quite add up considering it neighbors Kiawah Island, but hey, we'll go with it.

The only thing edgy about it may be the cash-only dive bars. Here, nobody takes themselves too seriously, which is why locals love this place to escape the 9-5 grind with epic surf spots and cozy stays like Regatta Inn, perched waterfront with stunning coastal views.

Hello dear readers! Tyler here, Managing Editor and Travel Off Path's #1 reader ????.

I couldn't let this list come out without raving about another incredible beach in South Carolina, because I literally just left!

The picture above was taken just three days ago at my favorite destination in South Carolina – Fripp Island. (And so was the first photo of the article)

I have been going to Fripp Island every year for about 6 years and will keep going back for many years to come. I always recommend it to family and friends.

Here are some of the things I love most:

I look forward to this trip every single year and can't recommend checking it out enough! If you ever want some tips, always feel free to reach out to me here or on Instagram.

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.

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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCSC) - The City of Folly Beach is considering upgrading its stormwater infrastructure along Center Street, which is nearly 80 years old.

Folly Beach City Council will meet on Tuesday night and vote on whether they should award $7.4 million to a construction company to make the improvements.

City officials say that the $7.4 million comes from a grant they received from the South Carolina Infrastructure Investment Program which is through the South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority.

Plans would include replacing all of the existing stormwater pipes, drains and curb inlets along Center Street, from the Folly River to Arctic Avenue, to improve water flow and reduce flooding.

“Some of our biggest challenges are during of course hurricane season and named storms, but we also have flooding and backups all the way through the intersection, sometimes even up past this building,” Director of Public Works, Eric Lutz says. “Problematic areas during rain bombs in the middle of the summer or off times of the year while there is a high tide. Things get backed up and the current system can’t handle that kind of water, so it backs all the way up, wipes out the intersection down here and is kind of hazardous.”

Lutz says about half a million dollars of the grant would also go towards replacing aging water mains islandwide, which are lines that carry safe drinking water to homes and businesses.

Another part of this project Lutz says is adding green infrastructure along the sidewalks and curb inlets, including rain gardens and previous concrete. These additions would help reduce the amount of water entering the system and improve water quality.

Folly Beach City Councilmember and resident Chris Bizzell says that this project is a crucial first step in making Folly more resilient.

“I mean we definitely get some flooding on Center Street, especially during high storm events and it trickles back into the neighborhoods, you’ll have some ponding and that type of thing. So, this project should alleviate a lot of that,” Bizzell says.

If approved by the city council, Lutz says they expect a contractor to break ground on this project in May, just as tourist season begins. He says the project would have an impact on Center Street for this tourist season and the next.

Lutz says people could expect portions of the street to be closed along with some detours, but they would try to keep disruptions at a minimum.

He says that the project would have to be completed by the end of May 2026.

Folly Beach City Council will meet on Tuesday at 7 p.m. to vote on this project.

Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCSC) - Construction for the Folly Beach Stormwater Infrastructure Improvements Project is set to begin in a few weeks.

There were two community meetings to address the future construction plans of the project on Wednesday night, presenting the plans.

In the presentation, both the Weston & Samson Engineers and the Gulf Stream Construction team on this project broke down what community members could expect from the end of April. This is when they’ll start construction, until May 2026 or so when they wrap up final touches.

Below is the official expected timeline:

A lot of the questions from community members stemmed from concerns in terms of how this would impact their busiest season in the coming months.

“It might be a little bit of pain for a while, but for the most part, I think everybody will adjust. They’ll grumble a little, but other than that, it’ll be fine. These guys clearly know what they’re doing and clearly have worked on some major projects. Yeah. So, I’m not worried about it at all,” community member Kim Jaeger said.

In the presentation, they also took a look at what to expect during construction, like shifting lanes, losing some parking and taking away the palmetto trees, however, that is all temporary.

In fact, you can expect 39 more parking spots on the island and more trees after construction is over.

“We’re going to have a bonus of extra parking spots by the end of this project. So there’s a lot more pros than cons. It’s nice to have rain gardens, it’ll be a nice infrastructure, and it’ll improve Folly,” Jaeger said.

Another factor to consider in the midst of construction was also hurricane season coming up, however, both Jaeger and the project’s team said they would make do.

“We just know when it shows up, it shows up. You can’t do anything about it other than stay in that. So, I know that we, in general, will all end up at the same bag supply place, helping each other fill their bags, putting them in front of the businesses. So, in the end, it is what it is,” Jaeger said.

The Weston & Samson Engineers Project Manager, Chris Pyman, who’s on the project’s engineering team, said they know the timing isn’t ideal. However, since funding comes from a grant with the South Carolina Infrastructure Investment Program, there’s a reason for it.

“There are time constraints on the grant funding, and that’s why it has to start as soon as possible so that it can be completed by that June 2026 time frame,” Pyman said.

If bad weather comes through, the current drainage system will still work, even as new pipes are being installed.

During construction, they will break the project into a few different parts so they’re not taking up multiple streets at a time and will not hit Center Street until after Labor Day.

“You can’t force a timeline. There’s a lot of different variables involved. Permitting being one of the biggest question marks that you have to factor into your schedule on your timeline when you’re designing a project of this scale,” Pyman said.

The project’s team said they plan on uploading all of their presentation and other information on the City of Folly Beach website under the stormwater management page.

Gulf Stream Construction said they will also send out a two-week look-ahead schedule for the community as they go through this process.

Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.