Isle of Palms, Folly Beach, or Sullivan's Island? (oceanfront, live)

[sunday21]

Which of these 3 is your favorite and why? I noticed Folly Beach has an eclectic feel with the cute little restaurants and shops, is it the same for Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island or not so much? Thanks!

[cape_fisherman]

No not the same...which is exactly why we choose IOP or SI.

[moneill]

Which restaurant or shop is cute at Folly? It's kind of typical beachy, touristy stuff isn't it?

[shane93nc]

I have not seen any cute restaurants on Folly. Its filled with bars that sell overpriced food. I can't speak for IOP or SI since we minutes from Folly and that's the beach we go too.

[macalan]

Our impression of Folly was that it was kind of younger crowd, maybe a bit honky tonk.

IOP seemed nice, but a bit commercial, a spot for vacationers.

We liked Sullivans the best. It just had a nice feel to it. Some shops and restaurants, more residential, quieter perhaps than the other two.

Don't know about parking or accessibility or amenities at any of them.

[Capt Rick Hiott]

Remember this,,,,,Folly only has one way on and off the island.................

[rorytmeadows]

I honestly haven't noticed any difference in the crowd at any of the 3 beaches the OP mentions. It's all a mix.

I prefer all three. They are each different. IOP is where we go the most because it's long and isn't crowded if you know where to look. But it's for sunning and swimming. We go there oftentimes for after-dinner walks as well for the same reasons. Sullivan's can be crowded at times, but there is a limited span where we will swim. We won't swim within blocks of an inlet or the harbor because of the current. There's somewhat of a nightlife there, but it's at a distance, but this is the best place to go for an after-dinner walk because you can get so close to the water, especially in the very calm areas near the IOP bridge. And then there's Folly, which we all must agree has the best name, but has the least beach. When tide is up, there's barely any. We haven't gone to the county park yet, but hope to soon. The nightlife is cool and we go here mainly when we have an early dinner or want to grab a bite there.

IOP - Best for sunning, playing in the sand, and swimming
Sullivans - Best for night walks
Folly - Best night life for dinner/drinks

[Serenity2019]

Folly Beach- best waves, coolest beach!
Sullivan's Island - boring, nothing there, no waves
IOP - family beach, nice beach

Obviously, it depends on the type of person you are. Do you like live music playing, do you like to surf or ride the waves? Do you like having a fishing pier you can fish off or walk out onto the ocean? Do you want a beach with oceanfront dining? Do you want a quiet , boring beach, with nothing there, or one with restuarants and shops nearby?

[The 9th Lord Proprietor]

I'm the opposite of coastal, I don't consider a quiet beach to be boring. I have enough "excitement" during a busy week, so when I go I want the water, sand, view, birds, dolphin and relaxation.

To me Folly is white trash. Too busy, loud, annoying, etc..

[Capt Rick Hiott]

Folly also has the most corrupt police dept in the area.......Ive even had ex cops that worked there tell me the same thing,,,its not a secret.......