Beaches · Charleston · United States
The best beaches in and near Charleston
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Elisa.rolle, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The best-known beach is Folly Beach (About 20 km from downtown, 25 minutes by car). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C+) in May–October.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 4
- Swimming season
- May–October
- Warmest sea
- 29°C (84°F)
The beaches
About 20 km from downtown, 25 minutes by car · Surfing, pier walks and a laid-back beach town
1.Folly Beach
A long, casual surf beach with the Folly Beach Pier, beach bars and views of the Morris Island Lighthouse from the northern end.
About 15 km from downtown, 25 minutes by car · Quiet beach walks
2.Sullivan's Island
A quiet, residential beach with wide sand and few facilities, near Fort Moultrie and the restaurants of Middle Street.
About 25 km from downtown, 30 minutes by car · Families and long beach days
3.Isle of Palms
A broad family beach with a county park, lifeguards in season, rentals and the Wild Dunes resort.
About 40 km from downtown, 45 minutes by car · Uncrowded sand and birdwatching
4.Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island
The public access point to Kiawah's wide beach, with dunes, a tidal river mouth and lifeguards in season.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 13°C (55°F) | 15°C (59°F) |
| February | 13°C (55°F) | 17°C (63°F) |
| March | 16°C (61°F) | 21°C (70°F) |
| April | 20°C (68°F) | 25°C (77°F) |
| May | 24°C (75°F) | 28°C (82°F) |
| June | 27°C (81°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| July | 29°C (84°F) | 33°C (91°F) |
| August | 29°C (84°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| September | 27°C (81°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
| October | 23°C (73°F) | 25°C (77°F) |
| November | 19°C (66°F) | 21°C (70°F) |
| December | 15°C (59°F) | 17°C (63°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$ · Best for families, budget and beach
Mount Pleasant
Across the Cooper River, Mount Pleasant offers chain and mid-range hotels with free parking, Shem Creek's boardwalk of seafood restaurants and the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point. Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms beaches are about 15 minutes' drive, downtown Charleston about 15–20 minutes over the bridge, so a car is needed.
- Good
- Better-value hotels with parking; Close to both downtown and the beaches; Waterfront dining at Shem Creek
- Watch out
- Car-dependent; Bridge traffic at rush hour
- Nearby
- Shem Creek, Patriots Point, Sullivan's Island, Ravenel Bridge
Getting to the beaches
- Bus — CARTA runs city buses across the region, and its free DASH shuttle routes loop the peninsula between the visitor centre, King Street, the Market and the waterfront.
- Car — A car is useful for the Ashley River plantations, Angel Oak and the beaches, but parking downtown means metered streets or city garages.
- Boat — A water taxi crosses the harbour between the downtown waterfront and Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant, and is a cheap harbour cruise in itself.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in April–May and October. The busiest of those is April, so book early.
Beach safety
Downtown Charleston is generally comfortable to walk, but use normal city precautions late at night north of the tourist core and do not leave valuables visible in parked cars. At the beaches, rip currents are a real hazard, and summer heat and humidity cause exhaustion — carry water and plan around midday. Follow official guidance if a hurricane threatens. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Charleston have beaches?
Yes: Folly Beach, Sullivan's Island, Isle of Palms and Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in Charleston?
Usually May–October, when the sea averages 21°C or more.
+What is the best beach near Charleston?
Folly Beach: A long, casual surf beach with the Folly Beach Pier, beach bars and views of the Morris Island Lighthouse from the northern end.