How to organize your summer getaway to South Carolina’s Sea Islands

While inland South Carolina enjoys year-round charm—especially in Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville—its coastline truly shines in the summer.

Located south of Myrtle Beach and extending to the Georgia state line, where Savannah is found, South Carolina's Sea Islands boast a variety of islands, each with its distinct vibe and summer spirit.

Options range from the family-friendly and golf-centric Hilton Head to the historic charm of Beaufort, along with more tranquil spots ideal for bird-watching and fishing. As you craft your summer plans in the Palmetto State, here are essential logistical tips to fully enjoy your experience. Here’s the lowdown on South Carolina's Sea Islands.

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Step 1: Choose your home base

Hilton Head Island

Atmosphere: This is your ideal island getaway, offering both excitement and relaxation. Hilton Head is famous for its sandy shores, charming town center, and luxurious resorts. It’s a top pick for family vacations, featuring a variety of unique activities, from zip-lining through its marshes to a sprawling go-kart track, all accessible at Adventure Hilton Head and other locations on the island.

Do: Hilton Head is a golfer's paradise featuring nearly 30 courses across the island. Sea Pines Resort is a standout choice, boasting three courses, including the renowned Harbour Town, which hosts the PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage tournament. Alternatively, relax on the beach—Coligny Beach offers restrooms, gazebos, and benches for your convenience.

Stay: The Sweetgrass Inn at Hilton Head Health prioritizes wellness with daily health retreats, nutrition workshops, and even a weight loss program for extended visits. For a more laid-back vibe, consider Beach House, which features an on-site tiki hut and a recently renovated pool.

Eat: Enjoy a sunset at Skull Creek Boathouse, where you can find fresh sushi in the Dive Bar area. Nectar Farm Kitchen specializes in Southern coastal cuisine, offering delicious sweet potato pancakes and generously portioned chicken and waffles.

Folly Beach

Vibes: Located just a 20-minute drive south of Charleston, this beach is a popular retreat for residents of “the Holy City” during summer. The warmth and friendliness of Charleston extend to this coastal gem, where locals swap their bowties and pastel dresses for swim trunks and bikinis. The shore is lined with surf shops like McKevlin’s and Ocean Surf Shop, with the Washout being a favorite spot for seasoned surfers chasing the waves.

Do: If you're new to surfing, consider taking lessons with local favorites like Isla Surf School or Shaka Surf School, which offers kids' summer camps and a Saturday surf and yoga class for women. Folly Beach features a distinctive saltwater creek and coastal marsh—explore this unique landscape and search for shark teeth on a Charleston Outdoor Adventures eco tour.

Stay: Enjoy breathtaking views at Tides Folly Beach, where every room overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. The on-site BLU Beach Bar & Grill features a tiki bar and stunning views of the adjacent Folly Beach Pier. For a touch of luxury, consider Regatta Inn, a charming bed-and-breakfast that offers a daily breakfast spread and golf cart shuttles to the beach.

Eat: Folly Beach is home to numerous beach bars serving everything from casual bites to upscale dishes. Enjoy a daily brunch at Lowlife Bar from 10am to 3pm, featuring a memorable Maryland-style crab cake, chicken and waffles, and a pimento cheese plate. Just three blocks from the beach, Jack of Cup Saloons offers craft brews and sake alongside a menu of Indian and Asian-inspired dishes.

Edisto Island

Vibes: Located about 50 miles southeast of Charleston, this island features beachside rentals on stilts, elegant plantation homes, and breathtaking beaches. It offers a more laid-back atmosphere compared to Hilton Head or Folly Beach, along with plenty of quirky attractions. One standout option—though not for the faint-hearted—is the Edisto Island Serpentarium, home to a variety of snakes, alligators, and turtles.

Do: Edisto Beach State Park is renowned as one of the best shell-collecting spots in the state. Botany Bay is a haven for birdwatchers, teeming with shorebirds, wild turkeys, and egrets. It also provides a peaceful setting for a sunset cruise, with Botany Bay Ecotours being a top choice for excursions.

Stay: Vacation rentals are prevalent here. A collection of rentals managed by Wyndham on the island's southwestern tip offers a wide variety of options in one location. Golfers can enjoy the Plantation Course, conveniently located in the center of the complex.

Eat: The island's culinary scene is characterized by a charming, homemade feel. McConkey’s Jungle Shack serves wings, burgers, tropical rum punches, and a beloved local sweet tea. Sea Cow Eatery is a cozy diner open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (closed by 2pm on Mondays). No matter when you visit, be sure to check out their rotating selection of homemade pies.

Step 2: Secure your lodging

Vacation rentals are plentiful along South Carolina’s coast. Typically, individual owners or management companies start accepting summer bookings either a year or six months in advance, although this can vary. Popular platforms for rentals include VRBO, Airbnb, and HomeToGo. It’s also wise to visit the state’s tourism website for additional verified options, as well as local chambers of commerce.

Throughout South Carolina’s sea islands, you can choose to relax at a resort, stay in a vacation home, or enjoy a bed and breakfast, creating lasting memories on-site. For families seeking activities, Hilton Head offers the most entertainment options. Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort is a prime choice, located quietly at the northern edge of the island, featuring a laid-back atmosphere with a water slide and just minutes away from shopping at Shelter Cove Harbour.

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Step 3: Organize your itinerary

Hilton Head is a fishing paradise, abundant with spot-tailed trout, flounder, grouper, and even sharks. It serves as one of the East Coast's largest shark breeding grounds, and yes, you can fish for them as well. To ensure a smooth experience, charter a fishing boat—preferably with a captain. FishingBooker is a reliable and current resource for this.

In addition to the islands, three cities can easily be incorporated into your South Carolina sea islands itinerary. Savannah, Georgia, is just a 45-minute drive from Hilton Head Island, where you can stroll through its charming brick squares and explore boutique-lined Broughton Street. Charleston, closest to Folly Beach, is a cobblestone gem with a waterfront park overlooking the harbor and Fort Sumter, perfect for a blend of urban and serene experiences. Beaufort, nestled between Hilton Head and Edisto on Port Royal Island, boasts a historic district that’s ideal for a day trip. Its museums range from the quirky, like the Kazoobie Kazoo Factory, to the reflective, showcasing over 500 years of history at the Beaufort History Museum, including exhibits on plantation culture and the Spanish American War.

Step 4: Select the finest dining spots in South Carolina’s Sea Islands

In Hilton Head, the blue crab is the star of the show—enjoy cracking some at Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks, which offers views of Port Royal Sound and occasional live music. Fresh seafood dominates the coastal menus, with shrimp and grits, lowcountry boil, and seafood salad being popular choices.

The island towns are home to delightful mom-and-pop grocery stores featuring locally sourced South Carolina goods. Bert’s Market on Folly Beach has everything you need—stop in for pimento cheese, boiled peanuts, and a visit to the deli counter. Meanwhile, Palmetto Dunes General Store on Hilton Head Island is a must-visit for fresh fried chicken and soft-serve ice cream, alongside other grocery essentials.

Step 5: How to reach your destination

Two international airports typically serve as gateways to this region. Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is about a 45-minute drive from Hilton Head and is convenient for accessing the more secluded Daufuskie Island. Charleston International Airport is only 30 minutes from Folly Beach and roughly 2 hours from Hilton Head. Additionally, Hilton Head Island Airport offers select domestic flights.

For train travel, Amtrak operates a major station in Charleston, with a smaller station in Yemassee, South Carolina—taking a taxi from the train station to the islands is an easy option from there.

Step 6: Packing Essentials

Before you head out, check what beach supplies your hotel or vacation rental offers, as these can vary widely. Depending on what’s included and your packing preferences, you might want to bring a cooler, snorkeling equipment, goggles, water sports gear, and floats. During the summer, remember to use sunscreen, sunglasses, sun-protective clothing, and sandals, and don’t forget insect repellent for swampy areas. Luckily, the locations mentioned in Step 1 have souvenir shops that carry all these items, though be prepared to pay a bit more.