When Tripadvisor recently highlighted the most-searched destinations for a summer vacation this year, there were several Florida hotspots, but it was Myrtle Beach that came out on top. While there’s plenty to love about the seaside South Carolina city, with so many travelers heading there, if you don’t relish being jam-packed in with the crowds, consider Edisto Beach instead.
Edisto Beach is just over an hour’s drive south of Charleston, providing a quiet alternative with unspoiled nature for relaxation and activities. While it’s popular during the summer, it’s much less busy than Myrtle Beach and relatively calm all year-round. There are no traffic lights, high-rise hotels, or chain restaurants, offering an “old South Carolina” atmosphere.
What to Do
Edisto Beach State Park is the most tranquil of the state’s four oceanfront parks. It just doesn’t get the attention others do. The 1.5 miles of shoreline doesn’t have to be shared by the summer vacation hordes, making it more enjoyable to unwind with a view or search for historic fossils and seashells on the beach. You might paddle through marshes, calm tidal creeks, or the ocean to see wildlife like loggerhead sea turtles, manatees, Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, and numerous wading birds like herons and egrets. Swimming, fishing, cycling (rentals available), and hiking are all popular too.
More than four miles of trails wind to hammock islands, through maritime forest, and to the Edisto Beach Environmental Learning Center. It offers lots of information about Edisto Island and the park, along with a remarkable collection of fossils and even a live alligator. “Boneyard Beach” at the 4,500-acre Botany Bay Plantation is a protected area with ancient, tree-lined shores, ideal for photography and hiking.
Local Culture
Edisto is a place to experience a slower-paced lifestyle and authentic local culture, deeply rooted in Gullah Geechee heritage, known for its soulful music, unique storytelling, and traditional crafts such as intricate sweetgrass baskets sold in local markets. If you have the chance, join a Lowcountry Boil. Featuring the region’s fresh shrimp and seafood, it’s a staple when it comes to social gatherings.
Where to Stay
As noted, there are no high-rise hotels (or sprawling resorts), but you will find more intimate accommodation, such as boutique-style inns, oceanfront home rentals, and beachfront cottages. Or, to truly get back to nature, there are sites for oceanfront camping and fully furnished cabins at Edisto Beach State Park.
