Things to do nearFolly Beach

Folly Beach sits on a barrier island about ten miles southwest of downtown Charleston, shaped by tidal creeks, maritime forest, and open Atlantic surf. The island has drawn visitors for generations, first as a resort destination in the early twentieth century and later as a haven for artists and musicians, including George Gershwin, who reportedly composed portions of Porgy and Bess while staying here in the 1930s.

The beach itself stretches for several miles and is well suited to swimming, sunbathing, and surfing. The Edwin S. Taylor Fishing Pier extends nearly six hundred feet into the ocean and is a centerpiece of the island. Nearby, the Folly River offers calmer water ideal for kayaking and paddleboarding along the island's quieter western edge.

Just offshore to the east, Morris Island carries deep Civil War history and frames some of the most photographed views on the South Carolina coast. Back on the island, Center Street serves as the social spine of Folly Beach, lined with surf shops, casual bars, and seafood restaurants that keep the atmosphere relaxed and local.

Folly Beach rewards visitors who slow down and pay attention to its details, from the pelicans gliding over the break to the painted porches of the rental cottages lining the dunes.