As the sun goes down through the framework of the pier at Folly Beach, the feeling of relaxation and serenity washes over you. Folly Beach embodies the peaceful side of southern beaches so save the partying and drunken debauchery for Myrtle Beach. The beach on Folly Island is where many locals go to escape the droves of tourists that flock to the more well known beaches of the low country.
Home Base
Folly Island is about 20 minutes south of Charleston, South Carolina. Grabbing an AirBnB on the island makes a great home base for venturing around SC. You could opt for being more centrally located in the heart of downtown Charleston but nothing beats rising with the sun and taking a stroll on the beach before breakfast. We recommend taking a look at staying at Folly’s Best Kept Secret. Listed on VRBO, the quaint beach house is within walking distance of both the beach and several restaurants. The owner, Ernie, is an excellent host and can provide you with some valuable insight on what do to and see in both Folly and Charleston.
Good, Clean Fun
The first thing you will notice about Folly Beach is how clean it is. The City of Folly recently banned plastics and Styrofoam from its beaches. Plastic bags, solo cups, plastic silverware all fall under this ban. This drastically reduces the amount of litter left in the sand. The city has even threatened to revoke business licenses of any establishment that is selling polystyrene foam coolers or cups on the island.
You also won’t be finding any empty beer bottles laying around due to the fact that there is no alcohol allowed on the beach. A positive action for keeping the beach quiet and clean, a negative for trying to keep a buzz going after visiting the Irish pub just down the street. Alas, there is still a lot to do at the beach beside drinking. Grab some friends and hit the volleyball courts or comb the beach for some pristine seashells.
Fishing is allowed off the pier if you’d like to catch your own dinner, but there are a quite a few delicious food options located just a minutes walk away. Try the breakfast burritos at the Lost Dog Cafe or eat like a local and try some pub grub at the Surf Bar. For more dining recommendations, stay tuned for our full lineup of things to do in South Carolina.
Final Thoughts
For those looking for a little beach town where you can enjoy a nice, quiet afternoon walking the beach, free from drunken frat bros throwing around Frisbees and having to step over smashed corona bottles, Folly beach is what your looking for. But if you are looking to bro-down and do some partying, Myrtle Beach is only a short road trip away, so check back in a few days for more info on the best way to spend some time in the famous spring break destination.
Chad can be summed up by his idea of a perfect day: Waking up early to watch the sunrise over the mountains, warm cup of coffee in hand then grabbing his camera and fly rod, hitting the trail to explore some uncharted territory followed by cold beers and campfire steaks. Chad is often joined on his adventures by his wife, Tori, and their dog, Kona.
