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    • <p><strong>Give us the wide-angle view: what kind of beach are we talking about?</strong><br>
Thanks to its ten miles of pristine coastline, Kiawah Island is generally regarded as one of the country's most beautiful barrier islands—and you can bet the asking prices reflect the admiration. The majority of the pristine sands are under private ownership, but the public can sample the scenery at Beachwalker Park, down at the southwestern tip of the island. The sands are soft as anywhere else on this nature-lover’s island, and best of all, you don't need a homeowner's deed to enjoy them.</p>
<p><strong>Lovely. How accessible is it?</strong><br>
It’s around a 45-minute drive from Charleston’s downtown, through Johns Island. There’s a parking lot for public use, and entry costs between $5 and $10, depending on the season.</p>
<p><strong>Got it. Decent services and facilities, would you say?</strong><br>
There aren't many beachside amenities, but those that are offered feel higher-end than your standard fare. There are gleaming dressing and picnic areas, as well as a small vending facility for drinks and snacks. In high season, you can rent chairs and umbrellas, and even beach-accessible wheelchairs.</p>
<p><strong>How’s the actual beach stuff—sand and surf?</strong><br>
Beachwalker Park definitely lives up to its name—you're venturing here to stroll along the sand, not to partake in high-octane water sports. The water is clean (though not clear) and canoeing and kayaking are both popular, especially around the Kiawah River, which runs parallel to the shore.</p>
<p><strong>Excellent. Can we go barefoot?</strong><br>
The soft sands are friendly to barefoot walkers, but they’re also firm enough to bike across. The entire stretch is clean and well-maintained.</p>
<p><strong>Anything special we should look for?</strong><br>
If you’re lucky, you can spot dolphins feeding and playing at the point where the mouth of the river meets the ocean.</p>
<p><strong>If we’re thinking about going, what—and who—is this beach best for?</strong>
If relative tranquillity and wildlife are your bag, then this is the place. And while you may not be crazy about the entry fee, it may wind up working in your favor: it acts as a built-in crowd control feature, so you can enjoy the luxury of space outside of the very peak times.</p>
    • <p><strong>Give us the wide-angle view: what kind of beach are we talking about?</strong><br>
Known colloquially as the Edge of America, Folly Beach is a barrier island on the front lines of the Atlantic, with nothing but ocean stretching out before it. Despite its popularity, the place has managed to retain its small-town character—you won't catch too many chains here—though funky restaurants and bars are still well in abundance.</p>
<p><strong>Lovely. How accessible is it?</strong><br>
It’s a 12-mile drive from downtown Charleston, and while free parking is theoretically possible around the downtown area, a day-long parking pass at one of the local lots ($7) isn't going to break the bank.</p>
<p><strong>Got it. Decent services and facilities, would you say?</strong><br>
There aren't any cabanas at the beach, so you'll want to come wearing your suit; but there is a stand where you can rent chairs and umbrellas, and the rental crews will even set them up for you. If you want to try your hand at fishing, there’s a tackle and bait shop right on the pier, and you can find almost everything else you need at any of the dozens of local stores. The far West End of the beach has the Pelican Watch facility with changing and picnic areas.</p>
<p><strong>How’s the actual beach stuff—sand and surf?</strong><br>
There’s the slightest hint of surf culture around sections of the beach, called The Pier and The Washout; but it’s low-key, and blends in with the beach's generally relaxed vibe.</p>
<p><strong>Excellent. Can we go barefoot?</strong><br>
The sands have a remedial coarseness, but are generally smooth and perfect for barefoot walks.</p>
<p><strong>Anything special we should look for?</strong><br>
The pier is probably the most notable feature of the beach, especially if you intend to fish for your supper. The business district has managed to stay quaint, with more one-off joints than chains, and there are plenty of places to eat; try local favorite Lost Dog Café, famed for its breakfast menu (and its canine guests).</p>
<p><strong>If we’re thinking about going, what—and who—is this beach best for?</strong>
Folly is an easy beach to visit and to love, with enough natural beauty to justify driving out, and plenty of amenities and restaurants within an easy walking distance. It doesn't feel too remote, nor is it sagging with overdevelopment, but on high season weekends can get very crowded on Center Street with more folks looking for fun than sun, so plan accordingly.</p>
    • <p><strong>Give us the wide-angle view: what kind of beach are we talking about?</strong><br>
Located at the Southern tip of Edisto Island, this beach's four-and-a-half miles of coastline and sands remain a picture of tranquillity, thanks mostly to very low levels of development. It’s part of the ACE Basin, a beautiful estuary; at Edisto, where the Edisto River meets the Atlantic, the wetlands and hardwood forests make way for long stretches of shell-rich sands.</p>
<p><strong>Lovely. How accessible is it?</strong><br>
The beach is about 60 miles outside of downtown Charleston, with Highway 174 meandering its way through the changing landscapes. In total, there are 37 beach access points with parking, and it’s $5 to enter the State Park.</p>
<p><strong>Got it. Decent services and facilities, would you say?</strong><br>
Preserving the natural beauty of the area means amenities are relatively scarce; but there’s a welcome station, an education center, restrooms, and a picnic area.</p>
<p><strong>How’s the actual beach stuff—sand and surf?</strong><br>
The clean sands and gentle waters make Edisto a perfect spot for families, with children safe to paddle in the lapping tides and forage treasures that are more likely to be seashells than broken beer bottles. Swimming and walking are about as energetic as things get in this part of the world, though you can also fish and hike.</p>
<p><strong>Excellent. Can we go barefoot?</strong><br>
Although there are stretches of smooth sand, the beach is also one of the more shell-strewn areas in the region; you'll want to strap on some decent footwear.</p>
<p><strong>Anything special we should look for?</strong><br>
It’s about a 30-minute walk from the welcome center, but if you’re looking for shells, fossils, and shark’s teeth, then wander out to Jeremy’s Inlet at low tide, and spend a while sifting through the gems that have washed up on the shore. If you get lucky, you might also hit on some historic and archeological finds.</p>
<p><strong>If we’re thinking about going, what—and who—is this beach best for?</strong>
It’s one of the longer drives out from Charleston, but the calm and relative quiet of the area, as well as its family-friendly environs, make Edisto Beach a must.</p>
    1 / 9

    Kiawah Beachwalker Park

    Give us the wide-angle view: what kind of beach are we talking about?
    Thanks to its ten miles of pristine coastline, Kiawah Island is generally regarded as one of the country's most beautiful barrier islands—and you can bet the asking prices reflect the admiration. The majority of the pristine sands are under private ownership, but the public can sample the scenery at Beachwalker Park, down at the southwestern tip of the island. The sands are soft as anywhere else on this nature-lover’s island, and best of all, you don't need a homeowner's deed to enjoy them.

    Lovely. How accessible is it?
    It’s around a 45-minute drive from Charleston’s downtown, through Johns Island. There’s a parking lot for public use, and entry costs between $5 and $10, depending on the season.

    Got it. Decent services and facilities, would you say?
    There aren't many beachside amenities, but those that are offered feel higher-end than your standard fare. There are gleaming dressing and picnic areas, as well as a small vending facility for drinks and snacks. In high season, you can rent chairs and umbrellas, and even beach-accessible wheelchairs.

    How’s the actual beach stuff—sand and surf?
    Beachwalker Park definitely lives up to its name—you're venturing here to stroll along the sand, not to partake in high-octane water sports. The water is clean (though not clear) and canoeing and kayaking are both popular, especially around the Kiawah River, which runs parallel to the shore.

    Excellent. Can we go barefoot?
    The soft sands are friendly to barefoot walkers, but they’re also firm enough to bike across. The entire stretch is clean and well-maintained.

    Anything special we should look for?
    If you’re lucky, you can spot dolphins feeding and playing at the point where the mouth of the river meets the ocean.

    If we’re thinking about going, what—and who—is this beach best for? If relative tranquillity and wildlife are your bag, then this is the place. And while you may not be crazy about the entry fee, it may wind up working in your favor: it acts as a built-in crowd control feature, so you can enjoy the luxury of space outside of the very peak times.

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    9 Best Beaches in Charleston

    November 12, 2019

    Sun, sand, surf, trails—in this city, you're never far from a shoreline.

    Originally Appeared on Condé Nast Traveler

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