Folly Island, located just a few minutes from Charleston, SC., is affectionately called ‘The Edge of America” by locals and with just one trip to this barrier island, visitors will agree with the moniker. It is a barrier island sandwiched amongst James Island, John Island, Daniel Island and Charleston Harbor. It’s entire 6.5 miles length is exposed to the Atlantic Ocean with the northern tip harboring a view of the historic and nationally preserved Morris Island Lighthouse while the southern tip is host to the Folly Beach County Park. Folly Beach is only a ½ a mile wide but in that ½ mile it supports many wonderful eateries, nightclubs, hotels, a library, and many tourist shops or craft street vendors.
Folly Beach is a delightful result of repeated sand deposits from the Longshore Current, which constantly flows into Folly Island from the northeast. The island and its wildlife co-exist within a natural cycle of erosion and sediment deposition. The centuries have seen the coastline morph and undulated as the sediment erodes into the ocean or deposits to the island are made from the ocean. Folly Island also has natural dunes, vegetated terrains, maritime forest and a network of swamps and estuaries.
By following either state highway 17 or interstate highway 26 and connecting to Folly Beach Blvd., visitor can find parking for as cheap as $6.00 per day and easy access to a variety of activities.
Activities:
Bicycling—visitors can rent bikes called “beach cruisers.” These bicycles have wide tires and 3 gears, making them ideal for a leisurely ride on the sandy terrain of the beaches. Bicyclers can ride around Folly Beach County Park and the Folly Beach Edwin S. Taylor Fishing Pier.
Boating–chartered trips can take visitors through waters and marshes around Folly and nearby islands. Some activities to charter are: family fishing, dolphin watching, touring Morris Island Lighthouse, crabbing and fishing, sunset cruises, shelling and bird watching. Historic boat-rides and deep-sea fishing can also be chartered.
Camping–while there is no camping on Folly Beach itself, there are full-service campgrounds complete with trails, freshwater lakes, fishing, crabbing, playgrounds, water parks, 10 acres of open fields, picnic shelters, climbing wall and more at nearby James Island County Park. A shuttle will transport visitors to downtown Charleston, Folly Beach County Park or the Folly Beach Fishing Pier. For the adventurous type, try camping at the hammock islands nestled amongst the estuarine waterways behind Folly Beach. For a different type of camping, try the tree house on the Edisto River.
Fishing–surfside fishing can be done from the beaches of Folly Island or pier fishing from Folly Pier (a pier that extends 1,045 feet into the Atlantic) or charter a fishing trip. The Folly Pier, also known as Edwin S. Taylor Fishing Pier, fishing equipment can be rented. There are shelters and cleaning stations on the pier. Visitors can try their hand at any of the fishing contests throughout the summer. For visitors with their own boats, Folly River Landing (right after the bridge to Folly Island) offers a free public boat ramp into the Folly River. Bait and tackle can be purchased at the fishing pier or Crosby’s Fish Market. A pier-only fishing license is available at the pier. All other (boat, shore, ocean, river) fishing licenses are available at Wal-Mart, just up Folly Road on James Island.
Hiking–dry-land hiking is very low-key on Folly Beach. This is due to it being a small, barrier island. However, the northeastern tip of the island has a path that leads to the end where a view of Morris Island Lighthouse can be seen. Any other hiking on Folly Island is done in the form of walking up or down the beach. Ambitious visitors can walk the 6.5-mile beach from the southeaster tip (Folly Beach County Park) to the northeastern tip (Morris Island Lighthouse) and be guaranteed breakers, rocks and other obstacles to climb over or hike around.
Jet ski rentals–in warmer months, jet skis can be rented by the hour or half hour. There are three places to rent jet skis: Holiday Inn or at one of two stands on the beach to the east and to the east of the Holiday Inn.
Kayaks–perhaps the best way to seethe local wildlife and vegetation, deserted islands, and the lighthouse is by a kayak trip. Guided tours by an ACA instructor can be requested or experienced kayakers can paddle around on their own.
Surfing–what beach would be complete without surfing? From 6th to 10th street, Affectionately called “The Washout,” surfers can hang out with wide-open sandy beaches great for beginners. Surfers can also try their techniques south of the pier, in front of the Holiday Inn Hotel. Please keep 200 feet away from the pier to avoid a fine.
Bird watching / Dolphin Watching–both are a popular pastime on Folly Island. Photography is allowed. There are many varieties of birds to spot, lists of the birds can be found on any of the websites but one of the common birds people enjoy spotting are the endangered Brown Pelicans. Dolphins are also popular for visitors to look for and can be found in the river, near the beaches and around the pier.
Beaches–beaches stretch down the Atlantic side of Folly Island, and swimming is allowed on all beaches. Lifeguards are on duty only during the summer at the Folly Beach County Park. The Folly County Park includes restrooms, picnic areas, showers, boardwalks, rental equipment and small eateries. Center Street Beach (in front of the Holiday Inn) is the easiest beach to get to and the most popular. Paid parking is available and there are small boardwalk entrances to the beach.
Nightlife–There are restaurants, hotels and clubs on Folly Beach, or visitors can go to nearby James Island or Charleston to seek out more of a variety of nightlife.
Other–one and two-person parasailing flights can be taken over Folly Beach. There is also a six-person aqua sled ride.
Folly Beach is home to people and animals alike. One of the most popular and favored animals are the Sea Turtles. From May to October then can be seen on the beaches, and they are protected. There are rules such as not touching them and a lights-out rule so that the town lights will not confuse the turtles and cause them to walk away from the ocean. The sand dunes are also a protected environment. They are naturally made drifts of sand at the edges of the beaches. Generally, dunes can reach 3 to 15 in height and 10 to 20 feet in length. Folly city officials will ask for visitors to stay off the dunes for preservation sake. The dunes help to protect the beaches and the vegetation.
Folly Beach is a little known piece of America that is perfect for families and less crowded then some of the other, more popular or well-known beaches. It has all of the convenience of a larger beach but all the charm of a small-town.
