How to Spend a Day on Folly Beach, South Carolina
The earliest records of Folly go back to 1696. A preserved barrier island 6 1/2 miles long and a half-mile wide with a north end on Charleston Harbor, its length along the Atlantic Ocean offers beautiful beaches and remnants of hurricane destruction. Visitors will learn about pirates, shipwrecks and Civil War battles. They can spend an entire day exploring the historic landscape, walk the shore lined with Southern beach houses, swim, fish, watch surfers catch waves at the "Washout", dine at popular restaurants, shop or dance the Shag on the pier.
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Instructions
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Drive east on Folly Road from James Island over Folly River; it turns into Center Street. At the end is the 1,000-foot fishing pier and the town's only hotel to the right, the Holiday Inn. Before settling on the beach, turn left onto East Arctic Avenue and drive to the end. Park your car off the road where parking is allowed. Follow the trail around a barrier where the road ends. You may wonder where you are going, but continue on. It will take you through a former Coast Guard Station and up a sand hill where you will see the Morris Island Lighthouse on the other side in the ocean. You can explore further north along the shore where you will ultimately come to the island's northern tip to see Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor.
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Return to the car and drive back to the fishing pier. You'll pass the "Washout," the area where the road turns where surfers find good surfing. Park in a parking lot or on side streets where there are meters. Unless you want to fish from the pier, take a walk to the end. Fishing pier license and fishing tackle and bait is available on the pier. Visitor information is available in the pier gift shop. There is also a restaurant on the pier. Center Street Beach is right in front of the Holiday Inn. This area has frequent events, festivals and "Shaggin' on the Pier" dances.
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Drive down West Ashley Avenue to the southwest end of the island to the Folly Beach County Park. This is also a good place to enjoy the beach as it has lifeguards in the summer, showers, restrooms, grills, shelters and picnic areas. Admission is $6 per day per car. Pets are welcome on the island as long as rules are obeyed. The attendant at the park will give you information on recreation and beach rules.
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Dine in or take out; there are a number of excellent restaurants on Center Street and along East and West Arctic Avenue. Some have live entertainment when Folly comes alive in the evenings. Popular restaurants include Locklear's Beach City Grill with outdoor beach side deck, Snapper Jack's, Taco Boy and Lil' Mama's. If uncertain, ask around; the locals are more than happy to make recommendations.
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Tips & Warnings
Bike rentals are available to explore the island from one end to the other or along the shore.
Don't walk on the sand dunes.
Watch out for turtle nests during nesting season; they are taped off.
No glass bottles or cans on the beach.
Resources
- Photo Credit Photos by Natasha Lawrence
