South Carolina Beach Information

All of the beach is public, from the ocean to the high water mark. Access to the beach, however, is often private. The Town of Hilton Head Island provides beach accesses at the following locations: Alder Lane Beach Access, off South Forest Beach Drive; Coligny Beach Park, off Coligny Circle; Fish Haul Park, at the end of Beach City Road; Driessen Beach Park, at the end of Bradley Beach Road; Burkes Beach Access, at the end of Burkes Beach Road; Folly Field Beach Park, off Folly Field Road; and Islanders Beach Park, off Folly Field Road.

There are 22 metered spaces at Alder Lane; 51 metered spaces at Folly Field, 29 metered spaces at Coligny, and 13 metered spaces at Burkes Beach Road. Parking fee for metered spaces is a quarter for each fifteen minutes.

Additionally, there are 345 spaces at Coligny Beach Park and 207 spaces at Driessen Beach Park for long term parking. The fee is a quarter for each thirty minutes during the week. A flat $4.00 fee is charged at the Coligny parking lot on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. You may come and go all day with your paid receipt.

Parking spaces at Islanders Beach Park are always reserved for annual beach passes. Parking at Coligny and Driessen Beach Parks for annual beach passes is reserved from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. Parking is free at Fish Haul Park. Handicap parking is available at no fee at all beach parks.

Restrooms, changing areas, sand showers and vending are available at the beach parks.

Official swimming areas have been designated for the Alder, Coligny, Driessen, Folly Field, and Islanders beaches. The boundaries of these areas will be clearly marked on the beach and in the water.

During the beach season lifeguards are stationed in each of the designated swimming areas and other heavily populated beach areas for assistance and beach information. Please ask a lifeguard before entering the water if the yellow caution flag is flying

Kiawah Island is just 21 miles south of Charleston and has a lush semi tropical environment. Kiawah offers ten miles of clean, pristine beaches. They have everything from 30 miles of paved biking trails, kayaking, canoeing to alligator and bird walks. In addition there are over 30 species of mammals and 200 species of birds. So, if you are looking for a nature retreat Kiawah has it all.

The landscape provides villas, private homes, cottages and golf course resorts allowing visitors to experience modern luxuries and quiet serenity.

The many restaurants on Kiawah offer oceanfront fine dining to oyster roasts, all served with Southern hospitality.

Historic Charleston is considered to be one of the top ten destinations to visit where there are plenty of things to do and still close to the beach where you can just relax. Touring historic landmarks such as 18^th century homes and plantations is just the beginning. Museums, gardens, aquariums, great restaurants and shopping can all be enjoyed in the beautiful city where the temperate climate offers a unique experience all year round.

Charleston’s beautiful coastline has unique dunes that protect local property and lives. The beaches are a perfect playground for families and all to enjoy, plus they are free and close to many amenities. The average temperature in the winter is mid-50 and the summer temperatures can consistently reach the 90’s.

There is a diverse selection of accommodations in the Charleston area, from bed & breakfasts, private homes to rent, oceanside resorts to charming cottages.

Everything you could hope for in a vacation is wrapped up and waiting for you on the Grand Strand. Beautiful beaches, scrumptious food, fun-filled amusement parks, unique shopping, lively nightlife, adventurous watersports and fishing and historic sites pose new adventures around every corner. The tough part will be deciding what to do first, or what not to do, and you may think there is no way to do it all. But don't let that stop you from trying! Go ahead, unwrap your vacation package; everything on your wish list is right here.

Amusements: Naturally, the fun always starts at the beach, the Myrtle Beach area's No. 1 attraction. And it’s no wonder with sixty miles of beautiful beaches the opportunities for fun in the sun are never ending. However, for the more adventurous visitor we have the ride of your life awaiting! With two big amusement parks you can ride roller coasters, Ferris wheels, merry-go-rounds, and more, all while munching on cotton candy, corn dogs, snow cones, and other fun foods. For those a little faint at heart, don’t fret, we have something for you too! The Myrtle Beach area has many great parks in the area - everything from cool water parks to hot racetracks. Like playing "putt-putt"? We have close to 50 miniature golf courses. Or, if you’re attuned to a slower pace, enjoy a relaxing, wonder-filled outing at the world-renowned Brookgreen Gardens, an outdoor sculpture garden showcasing the works of nearly 250 American sculptors.

Theaters: The Myrtle Beach area has emerged as a hot spot for live family entertainment, offering the best in music, dance, comedy, dinner shows, and celebrity concerts. The plush, 2,000-seat Alabama Theatre is the setting for some of the best concerts and shows in town, as well as a top-notch variety show called One. The Carolina Opry, founded by musician Calvin Gilmore,started the Grand Strand’s theater boom in 1986 and continues to delight audiences year after year. No matter which side of the Mason-Dixon line you call home, you’ll have a whoopin,’ hollerin’ good time at Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show. The House of Blues attracts standouts in the world of blues, jazz, gospel and rock. Legends in Concert is the place to go for superstar look-alikes (and sound-alikes) such as the Blues Brothers, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Michael Jackson, Liza Minelli, and many other legends. At Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, knights on Andalusian stallions compete for the audience’s attention. With more than 2,600 seats, the majestic Palace Theatre is home to Spirit of the Dance, starring a 30-member international dance troupe, and the Rat Pack-The Las Vegas Show. “Tribute! The Concert,” a new production from Calvin Gilmore Productions, made its debut in March 2004. With theaters all over town, and a diverse offering, the Myrtle Beach area is officially in "show" business.

Shopping: Malls. Outlets. Boutiques. Bargain Warehouses. Specialty Shops. These words are music to shoppers’ ears. And this is especially true of vacationers. Parting advice? Wear comfortable shoes (this is not the time to strap on those sexy summer sandals). Pack a light purse or fanny pack. Start early, when you're well-rested and raring to go. And leave non-shoppers behind – they'll find plenty of other fun things to do on the Grand Strand.

Dining: Along the Grand Strand, more than 1,700 full-service restaurants are waiting to serve you. The choices are endless. Of course, we're famous for fabulous, fresh seafood, and we serve it up every way under the sun. Try traditional Calabash- or Murrells Inlet-style seafood, with tender morsels battered oh-so-lightly and deep-fried to perfection. Or order yours grilled, broiled, or blackened and topped with a delicate sauce.

Nightlife: The Grand Strand is well stocked with nightclubs, discos, sports bars, beach clubs and other hot spots. It’s tough to say where to start. The best advice is to match your mood. Feel like dancing? The area has a wealth of dance clubs, where you can shag, disco, dance, swing, two-step or do whatever moves you and your partner. Sports fans will feel right at home in a local sports bar, sipping an ice-cold brew while the game of choice is played out on a big-screen TV. Like live music? It’s everywhere, in every style imaginable – pop, rock, country, blues, R & B, instrumental and more.

Watersports / Fishing: Water lovers have other places to play as well, such as the Intracoastal Waterway, which runs along the entire length of the Grand Strand, or the Waccamaw River, winding past historic plantations and other gorgeous scenery. Take a cruise aboard a riverboat, or rent a personal watercraft or pontoon boat