South Carolina has about 187 miles of Atlantic coastline running from the North Carolina border down to the Savannah River. The water is warmer here than most East Coast beaches: Atlantic surface temperatures range from around 55 degrees in January to 82 degrees in August. The coast divides into two distinct zones: the Grand Strand in the north (Myrtle Beach and its neighbors) and the Lowcountry in the south (Hilton Head, Beaufort, and the Sea Islands).
Both zones have character worth understanding before you book. The Grand Strand is busier, more commercial, and built around high-volume tourism. The Lowcountry runs quieter, with more private communities, marshland, and nature-first beaches. Each suits a different kind of trip.
We ranked South Carolina beaches by real visitor ratings and review counts from our database. Here are the 11 that stand out.
1. Cherry Grove Point, North Myrtle Beach, 4.8 stars (231 reviews)
Cherry Grove Point sits at the northern tip of North Myrtle Beach where the Atlantic meets the Intracoastal Waterway. That geography creates an unusual setup: sheltered water on one side and open ocean on the other. The calm waterway side is popular with kayakers and paddleboarders. The Atlantic-facing side gets consistent but manageable waves.
North Myrtle Beach is noticeably quieter than Myrtle Beach proper, even in high season. The Grand Strand here is less developed and the crowds thinner. Cherry Grove Point has a fishing pier, restrooms, and public parking. It handles everything from family swimming days to morning fishing trips.
Best for: Families, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing Watch out for: Parking fills on summer weekends by mid-morning
2. Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet, 4.8 stars (173 reviews)
Huntington Beach State Park consistently ranks among the best state parks on the East Coast. The park runs three miles of undeveloped Atlantic shoreline backed by maritime forest and tidal creeks. The water is calm and shallow close to shore, which works well for families. The park covers 2,500 acres with a lagoon, freshwater ponds, and over 300 recorded bird species.
Atalaya Castle, a Moorish-style estate from the 1930s, sits on the property and is open for tours. Entry is $7 per adult for non-South Carolina residents. That fee keeps day-tripper crowds smaller than nearby Myrtle Beach.
Best for: Families, birdwatching, swimming, coastal history Watch out for: Entry fee required; fills on summer holidays; book campsites well in advance
3. Windy Hill Beach, North Myrtle Beach, 4.8 stars (81 reviews)
Windy Hill Beach is a residential neighborhood at the south end of North Myrtle Beach. Public beach access points are spread along the strand. A natural sandbar runs parallel to shore and dampens incoming swells, keeping the water calmer than the open-ocean Myrtle Beach sections. Young children can wade well offshore before the depth gets serious.
No arcades or t-shirt shops within walking distance. What you get is a long, uncrowded stretch of sand with warm water and a neighborhood vibe. Street parking fills on peak days. No lifeguards are on duty.
Best for: Families with young children, quiet beach days Watch out for: No lifeguards; street parking only; no beachside facilities
4. Folly Field Beach, Hilton Head Island, 4.7 stars (121 reviews)
Folly Field Beach is on Hilton Head's north end near Palmetto Dunes, accessed via Folly Field Road. It faces the open Atlantic and is wider than many Hilton Head access points. Summer conditions are generally calm. A fishing pier at the access point is paired with restrooms and paid parking.
Hilton Head maintains its beaches well: regular raking, no vehicles on sand, and regular renourishment projects. The north end of the island draws fewer resort guests than mid-island sections, which keeps crowd density a notch lower on summer weekends.
Best for: Fishing, families, a more local Hilton Head experience Watch out for: Paid parking; the island bridge adds travel time from mainland South Carolina
5. Singleton Beach, Hilton Head Island, 4.7 stars (76 reviews)
Singleton Beach sits on the Atlantic side of Hilton Head near the mid-island mark. At low tide the beach widens considerably, exposing flat sand that produces good shelling. The beach draws a mix of hotel guests and day visitors from the mainland.
The water stays shallow well offshore, which works for wading and casual snorkeling on calm days. Access is via Singleton Beach Road with a small parking area. No major facilities at the access point. About 45 minutes from Savannah and an hour from Charleston.
Best for: Shelling, wading, quiet Atlantic swimming Watch out for: Limited parking; bring your own shade and supplies
6. Burkes Beach, Hilton Head Island, 4.6 stars (134 reviews)
Burkes Beach is on Hilton Head's southern tip near Calibogue Sound, where the water stays calm through most of the year. The beach is wide, clean, and maintained to the same standard as the rest of the island. The southern location puts it close to Harbour Town and the South Beach Marina, giving easy access to kayak rentals and boat tours.
This end of the island has more resort infrastructure than the north end. Food, bike rentals, and equipment are nearby. That comes with slightly higher crowd density in peak season. Water temperature here averages 78 to 80 degrees in July and August.
Best for: Resort guests, families, calm-water swimming, marina access Watch out for: Busier in summer; parking access may be tied to resort guests in some areas
7. Surfside Beach, 4.7 stars (85 reviews)
Surfside Beach sits about five miles south of Myrtle Beach and calls itself "the Family Beach." The characterization holds: the town is quieter, the atmosphere skews toward multigenerational family trips, and there's less of the spring-break crowd energy. The pier runs 800 feet into the Atlantic and is one of the more active fishing piers on the Grand Strand.
Water conditions are typical for the central Grand Strand: warm in summer, gentle to moderate surf, generally good visibility. The town has rental properties, restaurants, and basic amenities within walking distance of the water.
Best for: Family trips, fishing, quieter alternative to Myrtle Beach Watch out for: Still gets busy in July-August; limited nightlife
8. Public Beach, Myrtle Beach, 4.6 stars (422 reviews)
Myrtle Beach's main public beach runs along the oceanfront beside the Boardwalk and Ocean Boulevard. It draws around 14 million visitors per year, making it the most visited beach in South Carolina by a wide margin. The sand is wide and well-maintained, the water is warm, and waves stay gentle enough for casual swimming.
Lifeguards are on duty during summer, restrooms and showers are spaced along the strand, and food and entertainment are a short walk away. The trade-off is that this is one of the most crowded public beaches on the East Coast between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Best for: High-energy family trips, convenience, access to Myrtle Beach entertainment Watch out for: Very crowded June-August; parking fills by 9-10am on summer weekends
9. Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, 4.6 stars (354 reviews)
The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk stretches 1.2 miles along the oceanfront between 14th Avenue North and 2nd Avenue North. It connects to the SkyWheel (a 187-foot Ferris wheel), restaurants, bars, and shops. The beach directly beside the Boardwalk is fully accessible.
The Boardwalk district is the loudest and most commercial stretch of Myrtle Beach. What it delivers is a complete entertainment district next to the water. You can eat, swim, and walk within a single city block. Evenings are often better than midday: beach crowds thin while the lights and activity on the promenade pick up.
Best for: Evening visits, entertainment, high-energy beach tourism Watch out for: Peak summer crowds congest the promenade; prices run higher in this strip
10. Pawleys Island, 4.5 stars (940 reviews)
Pawleys Island is one of the oldest resort communities on the East Coast, with origins as an 18th-century summer retreat for inland planters. Today it's a small barrier island about 25 miles south of Myrtle Beach, with a mix of private homes and rental properties. The beach is wide, well-kept, and noticeably quieter than the Grand Strand to the north.
The south parking lot at County Road S-22-104 provides public access to one of the better stretches. The beach is known for above-average shelling at low tide. No boardwalk, no commercial development on the beach itself.
Best for: Shelling, family rentals, a slower pace than Myrtle Beach Watch out for: Limited public parking; most beachfront is privately owned
11. Bloody Point Beach, Daufuskie Island, 4.8 stars (26 reviews)
Daufuskie Island is accessible only by ferry from Hilton Head (about 45 minutes). No bridges, no cars from the mainland. Bloody Point Beach sits at the island's southern end facing the Atlantic and is among the most isolated beaches in South Carolina. The sand is wide and the water is warm, with calmer conditions than the open-coast Grand Strand due to surrounding Calibogue Sound geography.
The island has no traffic lights, limited commercial development, and a history tied to Gullah culture and early American settlements. Getting here requires ferry reservations and planning. Once there, you're genuinely cut off from typical beach-day infrastructure. The trade-off is space, quiet, and a beach experience that's hard to find anywhere on the East Coast this close to major cities.
Best for: Day trips seeking solitude, history, and uncrowded Atlantic shoreline Watch out for: Ferry required; plan timing carefully; bring all food and supplies