Folly Beach, the self-titled “Edge of America” greets you with an easy-going vibe that has a colorful hue of charming restaurants and souvenir shops. Palmetto trees gently shade the edges of Center Street. The town is widely regarded as South Carolina’s quintessential fun and funky beach community.

With a population just over 2,000 people, this tight-knit town and surrounding area defines its unique essence with its laid-back demeanor and inclusive atmosphere.

A notable transformation for Folly Beach has been the frequent reconstruction of its pier. In the 1960s, the pier emerged as a musical hub, attracting crowds from across the country who developed a fondness for the community, leading to its title as “the people’s beach.” Since then, Folly Beach has become a safe haven for surf enthusiasts and beach lovers alike.

The town’s inherent charm draws visitors from all over. But what truly anchors many locals is its reputation for offering some of the finest waves in Charleston, especially catering to beginners. Shane Granigan became the first employee of Isla Surf School in 2015, working alongside founder Peter Melhado to create a welcoming and secure, yet fun, atmosphere for learning to surf on Folly Beach.

“People who surf on Folly come from all different backgrounds,” Graingan said. “You get people riding their first waves, all the way to people who have been surfing their entire life and have based their life around it. So it’s a fun mix of people.”

What sets Folly apart from other beaches is that you can tailor your experience to exactly what you’re looking for, Graingan said. It’s spread out, which allows you to find a little nook or cranny for yourself or some friends. If you prefer, you can join a whole crowd to surf with.

“The community and the vibe out there is what really keeps people coming back,” he said. “It’s got a little bit of something for everyone. Whether it’s surfing and then going and grabbing a beer at Chico Feo, there’s always people around.”

Nadia Klincewicz and Liz Wolfe co-founded she’s on edge, a Charleston-based women’s surf and skate collection. They host meet-ups and events on Folly Beach, creating a space for women of all ages to thrive and receive support within the community.

Wolfe describes Folly as “a really magical place for women surfing.” When she isn’t surfing or arranging the next paddle, you can find her working at McKelvin’s Surf Shop, South Carolina’s longest-established surf shop.

Wolfe said she loves the dead of the winter when she can sit and catch up with locals who come into the shop. She says summer is crazy as hundreds of people come into the shop daily. During the colder months, it’s nice to have a moment to breathe.

“Driving down any given street on Folly is really representative of the kookiness of Folly,” she said. “Not one house is the same. You’ve got massive, built-up, four-story homes, and then you’ve got little beach shanties and everything in between. I feel like that is a good metaphor for the people on Folly.

“There’s no type of person, It’s just characters. Even when there is dysfunction, it is a family dysfunction — there’s still love there.”

Klincewicz lives on Folly and describes it as “a really dynamic place to live because it changes throughout the season, like being a snowbird but in your own home.”

During morning walks, she said she enjoys bumping into her neighbors and taking a moment to say, “Hey.”

“You just feel like you have such a strong support system,” she said. “If you ever need anything, there’s 12 neighbors that you can call and everyone will be jumping to help you.”

Locals often come together at locally owned bars, unique restaurants and watering holes where they unwind and socialize.

“People are a bit more down to have an experience that’s more authentic and a little less polished,” said Ian Condon, bar manager at Jack of Cups Saloon on Center Street.

Other parts of Charleston haven’t quite matched the innovative concept offered by Jack of Cups, which is praised for its fusion of global comfort food with influences from Asian and Indian cuisines. The interior is welcoming and cozy, with the perfect touch of quirkiness that seamlessly integrates with the authentic feel of Folly.

“I always laugh with people, we literally have a hole in our one wall at Jack of Cups,” Condon said. “It’s where the beer lines used to come in before they switched the bar around and we cover it with a sticker. Like, we’re literally a hole in the wall and people love that about us.”

Reflecting on his time working in the restaurant industry, he said he’s never encountered anyone like the local regulars who come in nearly everyday — the people who generously offer him parking in front of a house or use of an outdoor shower if he wishes to take a quick ocean dip before heading to work.

“Folly Beach doesn’t pretend to be anything other than itself. That kind of authenticity I think is one reason why the business thrives,” Condon said.

Folly Beach stands out as a cherished gem along the South Carolina coast. Whether it’s the vibrant community spirit or eccentric nature, locals and visitors find themselves drawn back time and again.

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FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCBD) – A dredging project led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is helping to restore a crucial habitat for birds near Folly Beach.

Bird Key-Stono Seabird Sanctuary is home to a variety of colonial nesting seabirds and shore birds. However, the animals are facing what the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources calls “coastal squeeze.”

“There’s people coming in, living on the coast, and there’s water rising up. So, that’s a major threat that we have for all coastal birds,” explained Cami Duquet, a member of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources’ Coastal Bird Program. She said these factors contribute to loss of habitat.

News 2 traveled by boat out to the island on Friday to see firsthand how the project is building the birds’ habitat up.

“We’re dredging the material out of the Folly River right here, and as part of the project, we’re putting material up here on Bird Key-Stono because it’s an important seabird sanctuary for the state of South Carolina,” said Alan Shirey, an environmental engineer with the Army Corps.

Sand and water are pumped from the channel onto the island through a pipeline. Army Corps officials said the water flows back out to sea, while the sand settles and is leveled with bulldozers.

“Once everything’s surveyed, it’s flattened out and surveyed, it’s going to be undulated so that it provides a natural habitat,” Jim Brooks said. He is a quality assurance representative for the Army Corps.

The work began about a week and a half ago and will need to be completed by March 15 which is the same day the island will close until October for nesting season.

“In order for them to be able to contribute to their population, they need to have a suitable nesting habitat to be able to lay their eggs, to raise their chick, and then have those chicks then contribute to their population,” Duquet said.

By the end of the project, officials said about 40,000 cubic yards of material will have been placed onto Bird Key-Stono. They said the work is associated with the Folly Beach Renourishment Project.

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCIV) — The Folly Beach coastline is finally getting some much-needed relief after taking a beating from Mother Nature in 2023.

Hurricanes, tropical storms and king tides all took their toll on the popular public beaches.

Friday, the Army Corps of Engineers announced they will soon begin the much-anticipated beach renourishment project.

"You could go sit on with a slow tide, come back when it's high tide, you won't see that beach today," said Folly Beach Mayor Tim Goodwin.

Erosion is a never-ending problem on Folly Beach, which is why this project is so big.

Read more: "Folly Beach dodges severe damage, gears up for $18M renourishment project."

"We're looking to place about 1.2 million cubic yards of sand on the beach, and that's equivalent to about 120,000 dump trucks at a cost of around $18 million," said Wes Wilson, project manager with the Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District.

"The contractor, depending on how much sand they need to place in each section, typically is in a 500-foot section between two and five days. So areas of the beach that are more eroded they typically spend more time in it," said Goodwin.

With the Army Corps of Engineers picking up the check, Folly Beach leaders can save their money.

"That leaves our beach reserve, but money intact, and we add to that every year. So, every year, we make sure that we have a reserve of money for the day when we have to pay our 15% or 10%," said Goodwin.

Read more: "Coastal damage assessment after heavy storms: Folly Beach experience mixed impact."

That reserve fund is often needed for smaller projects. Many times it's not just the big storms that are the issue.

"The hurricane that comes in and hangs offshore for a day or two and just beats and beats the beach and erodes it. Or Northeasterns that come in and hang around for a day or two that do the same thing, causing a lot of erosion. So this, this money we save this time is in the pot for repairing the beach of neck-to-neck storms or the storms after that," said Goodwin.

"Beach renourishment is a short-term inconvenience for a long-term benefit. And as we do add sand onto the beach, it provides that sense of security for the island for that next big storm," adds Wilson.

For a popular coastline that's suffered some of its worst damage since 2016, it's a welcome fix to get the beach back to normal.

"By building it back up, building the dunes up, extending the beach out, it gives us more area for people to come to enjoy the beach," said Goodwin.

The Army Corps must finish the Bird Cay project on Folly by March 15th. Soon after, they will begin work on the Folly beaches at large. That work will run from March until August.

Have you visited Folly Beach, SC? No matter what kind of beach trip you are looking for, you can find it on the barrier islands of Charleston, South Carolina. Folly Beach is your best bet for the perfect mix of relaxing beaches and spots to dine. Folly Island is 18 square miles of sand and sun and offers a beach town vibe just 20 minutes from the tourist attractions of Charleston.

This article includes:Public Beach Access on Folly IslandFolly Island Places to Eat

Take A Trip To Visit More Beaches That Are Located Not Far From The Upstate!

Folly Island On The Coast Of South Carolina

The beaches of the Low Country offer something for everyone when it comes to a beach trip. For a quiet, non-commercialized beach experience, Kiawah Island’s Beach Walker Park is my go-to option. However, if a tourist-heavy, commercialized expertise is what you seek, Isle Of Palms fits the bill.

If a sandy spot somewhere in the middle of both is what you want, then the beaches of Folly Island are perfect. They are family-friendly, quiet, and some access points have restrooms and showers for beachgoers to use. The downtown area of Folly Island offers a funky beach town vibe that’s solidified its place in the history of the SC coast.

Here’s a Great Map of Folly Island To Show The Kids

Where to Stay Near Folly Beach, SC

This Stay 22 Map contains affiliate links that will help you find the perfect place to stay near Folly Beach!

Accessing The Beach On Folly Island

With six miles of shoreline, there’s no shortage of sand to spread out on when visiting Folly Beach. Finding beach access isn’t difficult, but depending on your family’s needs, one access might be more suitable than another.

Located on the southern tip of Folly Island, the county park offers families all of the amenities they might need including showers, restrooms, a seasonal concession stand, seasonal lifeguards, and chair rentals.

The parking fees range from $5-$20, depending on the season, and are $20 on weekends and summer holidays. Park gates are open from 8 am to sunset.

The Folly Beach Ocean Park is located at the end of West Arctic Avenue. It offers beachgoers restroom and shower facilities that are free and open to the public (currently only open during the summer.)

At the end of nearly every block on the island there is a beach access pathway. Some spots include parking if space permits, otherwise you can park streetside.

The further you drive away from the pier, the less the metered parking costs. By quite a bit. If you aren’t trying to be right next to the pier and center street, drive a few miles north to find cheaper meter rates. The parking meter fees can be paid through a kiosk, or with the PARK Folly Beach app.

The centerpiece of Folly Island is the Folly Beach Pier. The pier was recently renovated. Amenities at Folly Beach Pier include the gift shop, restrooms, showers, changing rooms, and wheelchair beach access.

The Pier 101 Restaurant is open Wednesday through Monday, and offers seafood, sandwiches, and more!

Swimming is permitted on the beach that flanks the sides of the pier, however, the undertow can become dangerous near the pier causing unsafe conditions. Also, people throw baited hooks off of that pier looking to catch “a big un”. I don’t know about you, but I would prefer not to be swimming near where people are reeling in jaws.

The parking fees range from $5-$20, depending on the season, and are $20 on weekends and summer holidays. Pier hours vary by season, so be sure to check the park’s site before venturing out.

Places To Eat On Folly Island

There are plenty of spots to choose from when it comes to meals on Folly Island. These are just a few of our favorites when we head out to spend the day on Folly Beach.

Taco BoyAmeri-mex style food with a kid’s menu, and a full bar. Great spot for nachos and margs after a day on the beach.

The Lost Dog Cafe

The perfect spot for breakfast or brunch, The Lost Dog has sandwiches, burgers, breakfast (all day), and more.

Saint James Gate Proper Irish Pub & Three Monkey’s Ice CreamThe menu here has a little bit of everything, including tacos. It’s kid & dog-friendly! Plus they have some delicious dessert options.

The Pineapple HutIf you spend any time on Folly Island, you are bound to see people walking down the street with a pineapple in their hands. This food truck is where it came from, filled with Dole Whip, or one of their weekly special flavors of soft-serve style ice cream. (March through November).

If you want to extend your trip, head over to Mount Pleasant for a bunch of free things to do while you’re there!

One of South Carolina’s rascally alligators rattled tourists when it showed up on the second-story deck of a vacation home in Folly Beach.

Videos posted Oct. 27 on Facebook show the alligator was discovered after it reached the top of the stairs.

“Having a house (at) Folly Beach SC for 11 years we have never seen or heard of alligators on the island because there are no ponds,” Greg Bayer wrote.

“That all changed today when the guests at my neighbor’s house pointed out that they had a visitor on the second floor porch. He climbed 16 steps to get there.”

The alligator looks confused in the videos, having realized too late that the stairs led to a wall and railings rather than an exit.

It appeared to be considering a jump from the second floor, until Bayer decided to help. His assistance involved herding the alligator back toward the stairs.

Video shows it teetered precariously at the top for awhile, then appeared to half walk, half slide down the steps. That unexpected move elicited screams from those watching.

“He hissed at me a few times,” Bayer wrote.

The 6-foot alligator eventually exited a gate and went to a marsh near the home, which is on East Erie Avenue, Bayer told WCBD. Folly Beach is about 10 miles south of Charleston.

The videos have been views thousands of times and gotten hundreds of reactions, including a lot of trick-or-treat jokes. Some wondered what the gator expected to find at the top of the stairs, while others say it got lucky to encounter sympathetic tourists.

“One can only imagine the ruckus an inebriated, and disoriented tourist would’ve caused,” John Tucker wrote on Facebook.

“I’ll hand him a beer and some wings,” William Leon said.

“Don’t leave your keys under a planter. They probably know how to unlock a door!” Vicki Owens Sutphin wrote on Facebook.

This story was originally published November 3, 2023, 8:50 AM.