Beaches Near Charleston (Welcome, Isle of Palms, Folly Beach: coupons, rental, waterparks)

[chesshaha]

Dear locals in Charleston,

I recently moved to Charleston, and I am currently living near the Citadel Mall. I was wondering about where is a good/close beach and the cost.

I am only into swimming in the ocean and playing in the sand. I don't really care about restaurants or sight seeing. I researched a bit about folly beach, from what I read, I think there are some free parkings, but is there a toll booth before entering the beach area? If so, I guess taking the bus is also an option for me.

I also heard about Myrtle beach, but it is kinda far from where I am at.

Any recommendation/advice is greatly appreciated,
thanks.

[roxanneself]

Chess,

There is no toll, and there is free parking. You are basically right between Folly Beach on one side, and Sullivan's Island on the other. You can get to either in about the same time, although there is more traffic going to Folly, so go early. Ignore the previous post, she is a troll who sadly has nothing going on for herself other than to disrupt message boards. You really can't do much but feel sad for her.

Welcome to the area!

[chadbryant5]

We just moved to Charleston as well, but have been visiting all my life. I like Isle of Palms, but I have not been to Folly enough to really compare them fairly. I have a friend that says you can get a parking pass for the parks I think which includes parking at both beaches. I'm not sure of the cost. My friend usually goes to Folly and says he prefers it for several reasons, one being they have showers there. So I'm going to try it out too soon. Another thing about IOP is that it is dog friendly. I think Folly is too but if I'm not mistaken, has more restrictive hours as to when you can take your dog to the beach. Welcome to Charleston.

[chesshaha]

Originally Posted by roxanneself

Chess,

There is no toll, and there is free parking. You are basically right between Folly Beach on one side, and Sullivan's Island on the other. You can get to either in about the same time, although there is more traffic going to Folly, so go early. Ignore the previous post, she is a troll who sadly has nothing going on for herself other than to disrupt message boards. You really can't do much but feel sad for her.

Welcome to the area!

Hey thanks for your reply.

I saw Sullivan's Island about the same distant for me to drive. I saw Sullivan's Island's beach will be a longer walk from the street to the beach itself.
Which beach is nicer? I probably will go on sundays in the morning, and return before noon (cuz of work), so the traffic to folly isn't going to be back on the way back right?

Thanks again.

[roxanneself]

Originally Posted by chadbryant5

Another thing about IOP is that it is dog friendly. I think Folly is too but if I'm not mistaken, has more restrictive hours as to when you can take your dog to the beach. Welcome to Charleston.

yes, I take my dogs to IOP all the time, although I admit I RARELY make it there before leash hours. Early morning and I are not well acquainted. Even leashed dogs are banned from both Folly and Sullivan Island after 10am during peak months. South Carolina Beach Rules

[roxanneself]

Originally Posted by chesshaha

Hey thanks for your reply.

I saw Sullivan's Island about the same distant for me to drive. I saw Sullivan's Island's beach will be a longer walk from the street to the beach itself.
Which beach is nicer? I probably will go on sundays in the morning, and return before noon (cuz of work), so the traffic to folly isn't going to be back on the way back right?

Thanks again.

I prefer Sullivan's, but they are both very nice beaches. They have a very different vibe to them, so it really depends on what you like. No need to choose though, try both! Sounds like your times should keep you away from most of the traffic going to Folly.

[OleTomCat]

Sullivan's Island is less commercialized than Folly or IOP...

[MINIcoopKJG]

Originally Posted by chadbryant5

We just moved to Charleston as well, but have been visiting all my life. I like Isle of Palms, but I have not been to Folly enough to really compare them fairly. I have a friend that says you can get a parking pass for the parks I think which includes parking at both beaches. I'm not sure of the cost. My friend usually goes to Folly and says he prefers it for several reasons, one being they have showers there. So I'm going to try it out too soon. Another thing about IOP is that it is dog friendly. I think Folly is too but if I'm not mistaken, has more restrictive hours as to when you can take your dog to the beach. Welcome to Charleston.

It is $7 to park at the county parks. The pass that is good for a year is $55 for Charleston county residents. You can use the pass the park at Folly Beach and IOP. It is also good for some other county parks. You also get a coupon book with it and is has things like free admission to festival of lights, free bike rental at the parks, free paddle boat rental, there is also a coupon for something at the waterparks and other coupons. It is a really good deal. Here is a link to the gold pass:

Charleston County Parks and Recreation - Gold Pass

IOP has showers also.

[noahcat]

The parking areas at Folly past the washout are $1 per hour. Just make sure you put your money in the correct slot for your parking space. No showers there but we usually pull over and shower off at washout. The surf seems a little rougher at folly. Better for boogie boarding and body surfing. Sullivans seems calmer and better for small kids to me but I have not been there as much.

[sundrop]

Do all of the beaches have lifeguards or just Folly?