Quick Day Trip to Folly Beach from Charleston
A quick day trip to Folly Beach is one of the easiest ways to add a little ocean time to a Charleston getaway. Just 20 minutes from downtown, you can stroll the pier, enjoy a beachfront lunch, and dip your toes in the Atlantic in just a few relaxed hours.
Folly Beach is the perfect little escape when you want to add some ocean air to your Charleston itinerary.
Located just 20 minutes from downtown, this laid-back family-friendly barrier island feesl worlds away from the historic streets and pastel houses of the city. Instead of cobblestone sidewalks, you’ll find soft sand, salty breezes, and surfers heading out to catch the waves.
During our recent mom-daughter trip to Charleston, we headed straight to Folly Beach after arriving to the area. It was the perfet way to start the weekend while we waited for our hotel check-in time.
If you only have a few hours to spare, Folly Beach makes a memorable and easy side trip from Charleston. Here’s exactly how to plan a quick visit, including where to park, where to eat, and what to see while you’re here.
Itinerary
For a fun an easy day trip to Folly Beach as part of your weekend getaway in Charleston, here is a quick itinerary for how to spend a few fun hours by the ocean.
- Arrive and Park
- Have lunch at Pinky’s on the Beach (or one of my recommended alternatives.)
- Take a walk on the beach. You could also stay longer and go for a swim.
- Shower and change clothes at the Folly Beach Pier.
- Walk the pier and enjoy the views.
- Do some light shopping in downtown Folly Beach.
For a longer day from morning to evening, you could head straight to the beach and use the showers and restrooms at the fishing pier to clean up before heading to the restaurants or home.
What to Bring
Even if you only plan to follow our short itinerary, be sure to pack beach-friendly shoes for a beach stroll after lunch.
You may also find these items helpful:
- Beach Bag/Tote
- Sunblock
- Swimsuit and Towel if you plan to go in the water
Getting There
Folly Beach, SC is a short 20 minute drive from the center of downtown Charleston.
We drove from Charlotte, NC and headed straight to Folly Beach during a recent mom-daughter trip to Charleston. It was the perfect place to start our vacation adventure while we waited for our Charleston hotel check-in window to open.
From Charlotte, it is a 3.5 hour drive during off season travel. If you plan to visit during the peak summer months, you’ll want to account for increased traffic crossing the bridge over to Folly Beach.
Parking Tips
If you plan to do a day trip to Folly Beach and only need to stay for a few hours, I recommend parking near:
Folly Beach Fishing Pier
101 E. Arctic Ave., Folly Beach, SC
There is also on-street parking nearby and private paid parking lots across the street.
We were able to find an open spot right next to Tides hotel and I paid about $9 for 3 hours.
Where to Stay
If you’re heading to Folly Beach for a day trip, you may not need overnight accommodations. But if you are looking to stay a night or two, the only hotel on the island is Tides.
In the past, our family had luck renting a family beach house on Folly but most rentals run for a full week (Saturday to Saturday) during the peak travel months.
Pinky’s on the Beach
We arrived at the Folly Beach pier parking lot around 10:45 am for our day trip and easily found parking just outside of Tides.
We headed straight inside to have lunch at Pinky’s on the Beach, a popular ocean front restaurant inside the Tides hotel.
You can read my full dining review in my Charleston dining guide, but just know that we loved our lunch!
You can enjoy your meal with a perfect view of the pier and the ocean.
Be sure to wear your flip flops because after your meal you can walk directly onto the beach for a stroll.
Folly Beach Pier
After our walk on the beach, we headed towards the Folly Beach fishing pier. This has always been my favorite spot on the entire island.
It is free to walk to the end of the pier, they also have a restaurant and ice cream shop if you’d like to stop for a drink or a treat.
The pier offers great views of the beach and if you’re lucky you’ll be able to watch the fishermen pulling in their catch. We saw a live sting ray before it was released back into the water!
There are benches underneath shady covers along the pier. It’s a wonderful spot to just sit and enjoy the sounds of the ocean.
Folly Beach Pier Amenities:
- Restrooms
- Open-Air Showers: For rinsing off sand after your visit to the beach
- Gift & Tackle Shop and Fishing Rod Rentals
- Read their entire list of ameneties, hours
Read their entire list of amenities and hours here.
More Dining Options
If you want to try out other restaurants on Folly Beach, here are some of our favorites from past visits:
- Rita’s Seaside Grille: This is an awesome spot for brunch, too.
- The Crab Shack: One of our family’s favorite spots. A huge hit with our kids.
- Taco Boy: When you need something a little spicy!
- Center Street Coffee: For that afternoon pick-me-up.
Where to Shop
There is not a ton of shopping on Folly Beach but I recommend making time to stop in at McKevlin’s Surf Shop even just for a peek around.
McKevlin’s has everything you could possibly need to enjoy the water: surfboards, paddle boards, clothing and accessories, and tons of surf-related merch.
Dolphin Spotting
During the warmer months, you might just be lucky enough to spot dolphins from the end of the Folly Beach Pier.
It was one of our favorite things to do with our girls when they were younger. We’d pack a little treat and some drinks and head to the end of the pier to find a bench in the shade for some free dolphin watching.
Timing Tips
My biggest piece of advice for timing your visit to Folly Beach is to head over early in the morning, especially during the peak summer months.
In early March, we had no trouble getting on to the island at 10:30 am on a Monday morning. Things look a lot different at 11 am on a Saturday.
By getting their early, you’ll have a greater chance at finding open parking and will be able to enjoy the beach before the crowds pick up.
Traffic can take an hour or longer during the peak travel times since there is just one 2-lane road onto the island.
More Charleston Travel Tips
Planning a visit to Charleston? Here are some of my favorite tips for a great time:
