Best Beach in Charleston
Photos and words by Sean Rayford
Finding the best beach in Charleston isn’t complicated. There are three main options: Folly Beach, Sullivan’s Island, and Isle of Palms.
There are three primary beaches in the Charleston area. Charleston itself is a peninsula in the harbor. Morris Island is only accessible by boat.
Folly is the young hippie surfer village, Isle of Palms is the modern family destination and Sullivan’s is a residential community featuring some of the most expensive homes in the Palmetto State. And the best beach will be different for each person or group.
Folly Beach is about 11 miles from Charleston, South Carolina. (All photos made by Sean Rayford June 15-16, 2026)
Folly Beach
On a Monday night in mid June, Chico Feos is packed with a live band out back. It’s hot and humid but cooling down as the sun dips below the horizon. The breeze feels good. Everyone here is probably buzzed.
Some folks worked all year for a night like this. And for others, they worked that day and its just another summer night on Folly.
People watch a band perform at Chico Feos in Folly, Beach, SC.
Folly is Folly because it has the best surf. And good surf attracts surfers.
Folly is the young, fun beach. For 20 and 30 somethings, this is definitely your beach. Or, if you’re young at heart.
A surfer watches waves near the pier in Folly, Beach, SC.
Folly is the only Charleston area beach with a public pier, so if you want to fish from a pier, Folly is also for you.
Downtown Folly, as seen from less than ideal small second floor arcade. Currently, improvements to basic infrastructure are being made here.
Just south of the Charleston Harbor, Folly is nicknamed “The Edge of America.” But whomever came up with that, never visited Grand Isle, Louisiana.
Parking downtown was $15.
There’s one tall building in Folly Beach and multiple places to get ice cream.
Sullivan’s Island
Sullivan’s Island is the most peaceful beach in the Charleston area. But access is limited.
Sullivan’s Island is mostly occupied by full and part-time residents. The surf here can be nearly non-existent and if you show up early and grab one of the very few free parking spots at a public beach access, you’ll be rewarded with a quiet beach, with few people to share it with.
Sullivan’s Island is home to Fort Moultrie, an important line of defense against the British the week before July 4, 1776.
Sullivan’s Island sits on the northern entrance the Charleston Harbor, a former strategic military position in defense of the Holy City. The island is home to Fort Moultrie and according to the National Park Service, “tens of thousands of captives arrived on Sullivan's Island from the West African shores between 1700 and 1775.”
The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge as seen from Sullivan’s Island.
On June 28, 1776 South Carolinians fought back an amphibious assault by the British at Fort Moultrie. Palmetto trees were used to construct the defenses and as a result, the tree is the most prominent feature of the state flag.
One of the few beach access points on Sullivan’s Island.
As wartime technology progressed, the fort was closed in the 1940s and now serves as a historic location with a visitors center.
You won’t find as many short term rentals here, or as much parking for beach access.
Sullivan’s Island is the oldest developed beach in the Charleston area.
Isle of Palms
Visitors fish from Sullivan’s Island looking across the inlet at Isle of Palms. NO SWIMMING HERE.
Isle of Palms is the Charleston area beach where most folks visit. Many newer, larger vacation style homes and large resorts cater to travelers here. You’ll find parking lots for beach access on Isle of Palms and as a result, the large beaches accomodate the biggest crowds. It’s the only beach where I saw lifeguards.
Isle of Palms has a pier but it’s not a public pier.
The town built their first hotel in 1906 but major development of the barrier island began in the 1970s. This Charleston beach offers the most modern rentals and the best public beach facilities.
Isle of Palms has the most vacation rental options of the Charleston area beaches.
While the beach can attract larger crowds near 14th St., quieter areas can also be found on the island. If you’re not looking to swim, the inlet area between Sullivan’s and Isle of Palms is good for walking and fishing. The currents here and at many inlets are dangerous.
Isle of Palms
Isle of Palms is also home to the Windjammer, a beach front venue that’s been hosting live music since the 1980s, featuring acts like Cowboy Mouth, Sister Hazel, Edwin McCain and Hootie & the Blowfish.