Folly Beach, SC - 5 tips for a fun and relaxed family trip
If you read my post about Destin, FL, you probably know that we love going to the beach. This time we visited a beach just outside Charleston, South Carolina. The beach is called Folly Beach and has a rich history and one of the more laid back and relaxing beaches in South Carolina, although the crowds (like all the beaches around here) are growing each year.
We went on the holiday week leading up to 4th of July, which probably added to the amount of people in the area. The main tourist area (near the pier and main street) was always crowded, but you are still able to find some decent sand to yourself at the beach further outside the main strip. We stayed near the 10th Street public access point and had didn’t have to fight for space.
Here are my top tips for an enjoyable trip —
Beach Time
I mean, this is the whole point, right?!?!?! We got out to the beach as early as my kids could handle it (my 11 year old daughter has been sleeping away the summer). Get out to the beach before the hottest part of the day and take a lunch break when the sun is at its highest.
We also took our dog for morning and afternoon walks as Folly Beach allows dogs before 10pm and after 6pm each day during the summer. This was a great way to get some nice beach time in before and after the crowds and wear out the pup.
If you are staying near the rocky erosion control strips, before walking on the rocks - as they are very slippery. BUT, at low-tide. . .a lot of tidal pools form and the kiddos loved splashing around in the pools between wave crashing.
Surfing and Crashing in the Waves
My daughter took surf lessons 2 years ago on a previous beach trip. She did great and wanted to surf this trip. Rather than doing a lesson or renting a board, we opted to buy a board at Costco. It was around $175 and an 8 foot foam board - perfect for beginners. The weight limit on this board is around 200 lbs, so Dads - you might not able to join in on the fun.
I joined her in the waves to help her get past the crash zone and held the board, pointed towards the beach, to help her catch the waves. She did pretty well and just enjoyed being out in the water. This might be a good option if you have done surfing before or are adventurous enough to try it yourself. Early morning is best time, when the wind isn’t as strong and check out YouTube videos on some quick tips.
Eating
Woody’s Pizza was decent and delivered for an easy dinner after a long beach day. We also at Pinky’s with another family, and they were able to handle our large group of 10 easily. They were great with the kids and had some great drinks for the adults. Pinky’s is part of the hotel right next to the pier and offers good beachside seating. Definitely get a reservation. For breakfast, Lost Dog cafe is always a good option - they have some large portions of French toast for the kiddos, and some large brunch drink options for those parents wanting to stay on beach time.
The main area of Folly Beach can get packed quickly and if the crowds are too big, you can drive 5-10 minutes off the main island to Bowen’s Island or LoLo’s for some local seafood options. We also opted out of another busy restaurant night and decided to cook shrimp at the beach house. Crosby’s Fish and Seafood, Co had great shrimp and was packed with people buying all sorts of seafood.
Bert’s Market
This deserves its own section. We went to this market 6 times in our 4 day stay. It’s of course a bit pricey as it’s got beach/island prices and on the edge of the main tourist area, but the convenience, quality and selection is incredible.
This place has everything you need - beer, wine, snacks, and even guitar strings. The grill also offers decent breakfeast options and awesome sandwiches. The paninis were a bit small, but the half Italian sub was incredible and an awesome option for a nice hearty meal after playing in the ocean all morning.
Don’t miss this place - it still has that relaxed Folly Beach atmosphere.
Rainy Day Options
Summer showers or even a rainy day are inevitable. There is an arcade at Coconut Joe’s in the main area, or venture off the island to visit the South Carolina Aquarium (which is also on the waterfront).
Why Folly Beach Works for Families
Folly is the kind of beach that doesn’t require a rigid schedule. The pace is slow, the activities are simple, and the charm is real. Whether you're there for 4 hours or all week, the memories made — sandy toes, shark teeth, dolphin sightings — will stick with your kids for years.
Folly’s motto is “Relax, you're on Folly time.” And once you’re there with your kids, adventuring in the surf, it’s easy to understand why.