Roofer in Folly Beach, SC

If there is any one place in South Carolina that's a little unconventional and still boasts a relatively boisterous subculture, it's Folly Beach. And while it may be true that things have tamed considerably since 'the good ole' days, it's also true that the hippie movement is still very much alive on this barrier island off the coast of our beloved Palmetto State. We can think of a number of towns in South Carolina that would balk at being labeled a hippie town, but not Folly Beach. Here, being hippie is as (un)trendy as it's always been.

Locals and Folly followers like to call this sweet little town the Edge of America. The double entendre refers more to a way of life than to the physical location, literally on the edge of America.

Since the early to mid 1900s, Folly has been a regular hub for those seeking to get away from the hustle and bustle in the bigger, nearby towns. By the 1960s, a pavillion had been built and an amusement park added. Both are long gone now, but the sentiment when visiting Folly has remained.

The playground begins on the beach and continues right up the dunes to the area around Center Street. Until the recent past you could even drink alcohol on the beach, but make no mistake... that has changed. It's now very much illegal. But luckily, your favorite libations are only a few steps away in the bars and restaurants you'll find on Center Street.

But Folly Beachites still hold near and dear other unconventional behaviors at their beach, like the annual Polar Bear Plunge. We have a feeling this year a few participants are now nursing the onset of a cold.

In spite of its recent inclination toward more rules, Folly still has an air of freedom and love and an openness exclusive to the island.

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Even businesses fall in line with quirky decor right on the town's main street. And the annual events on Folly Beach most definitely present with a come-as-you-are acceptance for all.

The Follypalooza, held each October, is a flip-flop-wearin' event if ever there was one.

Folly's own version of Mardi Gras, called Folly Gras, is one of the most colorful and fun events of the year.

It can be said that anything goes on Folly Beach, and that could be true, even if the island has gotten a few new buildings (and rules) over the decades since the hippie movement began.

While it's likely the yuppie era has come and gone, the hippie subculture on Folly is still alive. Festivals and celebrations are a way of life in this hippie town where everyone is welcome — just as they are.

Join the discussion. When was the last time you visited Folly Beach?

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One of South Carolina's most beloved lighthouses sits stranded in the water just north of the end of Folly Beach. If you've never ventured out to see this incredible piece of South Carolina history, then perhaps it's time for a little adventure. This Folly Beach lighthouse walk is about fourth-tenths of a mile. Here, you'll get epic views of the water and a clear view of the Morris Island Lighthouse. You'll also be drawn in by a bit of history and some gentle ocean breezes as you meander the Morris Island Lighthouse Trail.

Constructed in 1876 and decommissioned in 1962, the Morris Island Lighthouse is a Low Country treasure.

Once located on the beach, decades of erosion have left the Folly Beach lighthouse stranded considerably offshore and surrounded by the sea.

Getting out to see the light is as easy as taking a 0.4-mile lighthouse walk from the north end of Folly Island.

Much of the walk is on a recently paved path, but for those with accessibility challenges, the hard surface ends just before reaching the beach and the view of the light.

During the Civil War, Folly was occupied by federal troops, who staged an artillery battery on the north end of the island.

Later uses of the area here would leave some structural remains that you'll pass on your way to the beachfront. Long before the Civil War, in the 1700s, the island now known as Folly was nicknamed Coffin Island because it was where the sick people trying to enter Charleston via ships were dropped off - most met their death there.

The short hike out to see the Morris Island Lighthouse is a peaceful stroll.

You can expect to meet many others along the way, as this is a well-traveled path with hikers eager to explore this historical site in South Carolina.

In recent years, the local interest in the Morris Island Lighthouse has risen significantly with the help of a non-profit organization called Save The Light, whose sole interest is to preserve this incredible piece of history for generations to come.

We're not going to sugarcoat it: The last couple of hundred yards of the Morris Island Lighthouse Trail to reach the view of the light is an uphill battle through some pretty soft sand.

It's a bit of a challenge after the ease of taking your time and enjoying the sights while walking on the paved path before reaching the sand.

Just take your time... there's a huge reward just over the crest of that huge sand dune. Once on top, you will have just proved that you can walk to Morris Island Lighthouse!

There is a beach at this end of Folly and while it's perfect for gawking at the lighthouse or shelling, or just walking... you won't want to swim here due to the major currents found at this end of the island. But a picnic would be nice! Feel free to also take a look at

AllTrails to learn more about other hikes in the area.

Or, time your Folly Beach lighthouse walk to coincide with the sunrise, and you'll find it's an entirely different view. Just remember to bring your camera!

Ready to check it out? Drive to Folly Beach and turn left onto E Ashley Avenue and then drive to the end.

There are no legal parking spots in this turnaround area, but before reaching it, you should find a legal spot or two. Consider using AllTrails as a resource when planning this historic hike too.

For more on the on this Folly Beach lighthouse walk, consult our friends at Alltrails.com. The lighthouse walk is always open and admission is free. If you're interested in exploring more hikes in South Carolina and beyond, I encourage you to take advantage of AllTrail's special sign-up offer too.

What to explore some more? You'll find information about more trails to check out in our coverage of historical hikes in South Carolina.

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCSC) - Days after Debby, areas of the Lowcountry are still underwater, while others are moving forward with projects that were put on hold to ride out the storm— including the Folly Beach renourishment project.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the folks behind the project, say they saw minimal damage from Tropical Storm Debby and are moving forward with work.

“The island did see some flooding from the roadways, however, that was mainly rain-induced. It was not surge induced, as we typically see with these tropical storm systems,” Army Corps of Engineers Project Manager Wes Wilson says.

The $18 million contract, provided by the Charleston Army Corps District, allowed the installation of 1.3 million cubic yards of sand and the start of dredging projects. The sand amount can be explained as 130,000 dump truck loads.

The project will protect from future coastal storm damage, dredge the Folly River navigation channel and place material on Bird Key to protect the critical bird habitat.

Wilson says the town, state and federal partners are understanding of how the storm season impacts work, so they are all flexible and willing to work around any impacts. Thankfully, for this storm, the only real impact was time, since the work shut down while the storm hit for the safety of the crews.

“We’ve been through this dog and pony with them the past 9-10, years. I feel like dating back to 2015 with one storm after the next. So typically, after this, we will do a windshield survey, quick site assessment, determine if there was significant erosion, any dunes being breached. And rain staying on the road, it doesn’t seem like that was the case this time,” Wilson says.

With so many potential threats to South Carolina’s coast, Wilson and his team say this project is much needed ahead of the next potential storm. He credits the prior renourishments with protecting the beachfront homes when Hurricane Ian and other storms hit in the past three years.

“It’s not even hurricanes and tropical storms that cause a significant amount of erosion on beaches. If folks can remember the December 2023 storm, Folly Beach had 20 to 30 feet of erosion on their beach,” Wilson says.

He anticipates the project will wrap in about two or three weeks, putting an updated completion date near Labor Day weekend. The Army Corps offers a project update site with live beach area closures for work, click here.

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCSC) - Folly Beach is having its 22nd Wahine Classic, where around 250 young girls and women will participate in a surf competition this weekend.

“The mission of the FBWC is to share the strength of surfer women of all ages and abilities through a fun weekend of surf competition and camaraderie,” Director of the Folly Beach Wahine Classic Nicole Elko says.

The Folly Beach Wahine Classic is the longest-running girls’ surf contest on the East Coast and South Carolina’s only all-female surf contest. Tents, vendors, families and friends flood the beach watching young girls and women compete.

The contest started at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday.

There were almost 20 divisions, one of them being the Goddess 50 and up class.

Barbara Corey, 74, has participated in 21 out of the 22 years the Folly Beach Wahine Classic has taken place.

“I’ve been to every contest except one because I had a heart attack and they wouldn’t let me,” Corey said.

She says even though she’s had a heart attack and got bitten by a shark, it’s all worth it.

“It’s too fun to quit, you know. I’m not the spryest person out there anymore. I really don’t care whether I win or lose. I do it to just do it. You know, I love it,” Corey said.

While she’s been surfing for over 60 years, Corey said she’s proud to see so many women start their surfing journey.

“There’s been a big difference, you know, especially with the short-board revolution,” Corey said.

Elko says it’s important for women to empower each other at The Washout, what she describes as “a male-dominated surf spot.”

“We had very few women in surfing 22 years ago, and today. In fact, today, we’re seeing women surfing at Teahupo in the Olympics,” Elko said. “It’s actually one of the sports that has come the farthest in the last 22 years.”

The competition continues at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday.

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.

We’re in the midst of beach season and as the temperatures continue to rise, the thought of being as close as possible to a body of water sounds delightful.

For those braving the traffic to head out to one of Charleston’s most popular beaches, the fun doesn’t stop on the sand at Folly Beach. After soaking up some rays and taking a dip, you can wander up the pier, along the main strip and even off the beaten path to discover some great places for cooling off with a refreshing beverage.

Just be sure to plan your ride home responsibly.

Here are 12 Folly Beach bars to visit.

BLUAn Ocean Potion or the frozen machine-swirling Italian ice will do you nice at this outdoor bar at The Tides that makes you feel like you’re drinking on the beach. It’s the only bar on Folly that gets you right up next to the sand, with views of umbrella rentals, the pier and the ocean in your direct line of sight. There’s usually live music on the patio and drinks flowing at the covered bar. Signature cocktails and frozen cocktails alike will ring up at $12, and you can pair with calamari fries, chicken sandwiches, a salmon salad or tacos a la plancha.

Bounty BarThe Royal American’s Folly Beach sister, Bounty Bar offers live music on weekends and a menu of stellar bar bites throughout the week. If you’re trying to hide from the sun, sink into this cave of a bar with its dim lighting and cozy booths. Staff meals and red-plate specials change up weekly, offering fun options (like the chicken and waffle tacos or chicken enchilada eggrolls) and good deals. Plus, you can never go wrong with the magic dust wings and shoestring fries. For the drinks, try the frozen punch flight, which offers up a selection of Royal’s favorite punches in icy form.

Chico FeoAn absolute favorite for locals on the island is this exclusively outdoor bar that offers a Songwriter’s Soapbox every Monday night and quirky decor that makes it decidedly Folly. The tacos (pork, chicken, Mahi or vegetarian) are nothing less than fantastic, or opt for a Cuban sandwich. You can scoop a Corona or variety of local beers and wines from the long bar before grabbing a stool or picnic table under the oaks and string lights.

Coconut Joe’sWith arcade games upstairs and options of inside seating, downstairs patio seating or upstairs outdoor seating with a bar and a view, Coconut Joe’s is a new island favorite. You might recognize the name because there’s also one on Isle of Palms. Try the piña colada with coconut flakes and sweet cream on top or one of seven other frozen cocktails that will cool you off. The Creamsicle Mojito or Flirty Flamingo are two options on the rocks. Pair with coconut shrimp, fried pickles, island nachos or a big beachside salad.

Jack of Cups SaloonSome of the best food from a rotating menu on the island can be found at Jack of Cups, which also serves up quality cocktails inside or on the outdoor fan-cooled patio. Right now, they’re featuring comfort plates like the Egyptian lentil and chickpea curry, Maafe African-style peanut stew, Kate’s red beans and rice, and Jack of Cups meatballs. The song-titled drinks include a Nothing Compares 2 U with tequila, dry curacao, hibiscus tea, lime, OJ and agave; the 99 Problems with mezcal, Americano, passionfruit liqueur, prosecco and lemonade; and the No Diggity with bourbon, blackberry syrup, lime and ginger bitters.

Loggerhead’s

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Slightly off the main strip, this locals’ bar has a big outdoor patio that features a wraparound bar, lime green umbrellas and an old retro truck with a surfboard in the back. The Lava Flow, half piña colada and half strawberry daquiri, is sure to cool you down. Try it with the shrimp margherita pizza, crab cake sandwich or chicken fingers and fries.

LowLife BarAnother slightly off-the-beaten-path hangout is LowLife, where you can choose to sit wrapped around the bar inside or outside or take a table in the main dining room. You order from the bar here, but the selection of drinks for the island are top-notch. The Farmer Tan, made with tequila, chipotle, strawberry, pineapple and lime, is a personal favorite. The Slowlife is another good one, with gin, raspberry, elderflower and lemon, while the Pluff Mudslide is for those looking for a dessert drink. Brunch here is served every day of the week from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., so if you’re off the beach early and want a midday bite, try the breakfast burrito, Lowlife B.E.C. (bacon, egg and cheese on a croissant) or chicken and waffles.

Pier 101

If you want to stay on the pier, and maybe wander up and down before or after your bite, then Pier 101 is the best bet for you. There is often a musician strumming an acoustic guitar outside, and yellow umbrellas are lined up by the outside bar that serves up drinks from a Sunburn (twist on a tequila sunrise) to the Folly Island Iced Tea with Firefly sweet tea vodka, Peach Schnapps and Deep Eddy lemon vodka, lemonade and coke. There are also six frozen cocktails to choose from, which you can enjoy alongside a lunch of seafood baskets, mini corn dogs or shrimp po boys. Top off with a slice of Key lime pie.

Revelry

Downtown’s Revelry Brewing is a favorite local brewery of mine, so of course I had to check out its sister on Folly during my last beach visit. Wander down an unassuming alleyway and you’ll pop up in this pristine, trendy courtyard that features an outdoor bar and seating stocked with pastel pillows and blankets for comfort. Industrial-sized fans rotate while you sip on a variety of Revelry craft beers in addition to canned THC drinks or seltzers. It’s pup-friendly, as well, and you can order from a few selections on neighboring Bounty Bar’s menu, which you pick up at an adjoining window.

Rita’s Seaside GrilleThis classic family-friendly restaurant with a mural on the side of a ‘50s-style bikini-clad woman with a drink in hand is one my family used to go to for lunches during summer vacation, sitting in a booth by vintage artwork or sometimes out on the patio if the weather wasn’t too hot. Here, you can eat a hearty lunch to rebuild some of the energy the sun zapped away — from a classic cheeseburger or hot dog to shrimp and grits, a pulled pork plate or steak frites. As for the drinks, the Guava Frosé with a mint leaf on top is a great summertime refresher. There are four other frozen options, mimosas, sparkling wines and signature crushes. Yum!

Taco BoyTwo stories of taco eating await at this indoor-outdoor restaurant and bar. The top floor will give you the best ocean view, while a bar on the second floor offers a coastal breeze and a giant octopus sculpture. Down below, a tropical forest of plants grows to welcome you up the colorful stairs. Choose from a variety of taco options on corn or flour toritllas, or go for the tortillas, burritos, quesadillas or salads. Pair with a margarita — your options include a house, spicy, skinny, pineapple, hibiscus, blood orange, frozen or matcha. Or try the spiked coconut water or a classic Tecate with lime.

The Washout

For live music outside at night, The Washout is a great spot to be on Folly Beach. Enjoy local bands while sipping on a Holy City Washout Wheat; a great combo. Or, if you’re going during the day, try a cocktail from the Day Drinkin’ section of the menu, from a Sand Between Your Toes to a Midsummer Mojito to a Banana Hammock. Handhelds to pair your sipper with include a flounder sandwich, buffalo Caesar wrap and classic burger.