Overview
Folly Beach is a lovely little beach town on a barrier island in Greater Charleston. The beach is a popular surf spot and the town is a popular beach-going destination for residents and visitors alike, with lots of cozy beach cottages and a small but bustling business district.
2 sights · 3 things to do · 1 places to eat · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Folly Beach
Morris Island Lighthouse
Situated off the coast, Morris Light is a picturesque tower that was once a functioning lighthouse, but was abandoned as erosion caused it to be isolated from the shoreline. Today it's preserved as a local landmark, view…
Folly Beach Pier
Extending out from the center of town, this long pier is an excellent place for fishing and makes for a pleasant walk over the waves, particularly at sunset.
Folly Beach
The beach here is one of the most popular in the area, and gets quite crowded in summer. However, it's busiest at the center of town near the pier; quieter sections can be found to the east and west of town, though parki…
Folly Beach County Park
A park at the western end of the island with a nice stretch of beach with lifeguards on duty in season and wildlife viewing areas.
The Porgy House
“The Porgy House” is a cottage on the island where Charleston authors Dubose and Dorothy Heyward lived in the 1930s. In June of 1934, American composer and pianist, George Gershwin came to town to write an opera based of…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Oct–May. Summer highs reach about 91°F; winter lows dip to about 39°F. Very hot (Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Aug and Jul. (climate data from nearby Charleston)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- CHS Charleston International Airport, Charleston — 17 mi away (major hub). Directions
- HHH Hilton Head Airport, Hilton Head Island — 54 mi away. Directions
Folly Beach sits at the end of State Road 171, just over 10 miles south of Charleston. From Charleston proper, you can take the James Island Expressway (State Road 30) or US 17 south to Folly Road (SR 171), then follow it south. Once in town, there are parking lots that charge $5/space, although you might get lucky and find a spot on the side of the street.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Morris Island Lighthouse, Folly Beach Pier, Folly Beach
- Lunch Folly Beach Crab Shack
- Afternoon Folly Beach County Park, The Porgy House
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Folly Beach is a 12 square mile barrier island situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Folly River. The island and town have a reputation as a surfing destination as well as a bohemian, laid back beach town with several small beach shops, restaurants, and beach bars. The beach and town are as popular with Charleston locals as they are with visitors.
Get in
Folly Beach sits at the end of State Road 171, just over 10 miles south of Charleston. From Charleston proper, you can take the James Island Expressway (State Road 30) or US 17 south to Folly Road (SR 171), then follow it south. Once in town, there are parking lots that charge $5/space, although you might get lucky and find a spot on the side of the street.
See
See Morris Island Lighthouse
Situated off the coast, Morris Light is a picturesque tower that was once a functioning lighthouse, but was abandoned as erosion caused it to be isolated from the shoreline. Today it's preserved as a local landmark, viewable from a quiet and scenic beach.
Do
Do Folly Beach
The beach here is one of the most popular in the area, and gets quite crowded in summer. However, it's busiest at the center of town near the pier; quieter sections can be found to the east and west of town, though parking will be harder to find. The waves are relatively high for a Carolina beach, making it a popular surf spot.
Do The Porgy House
“The Porgy House” is a cottage on the island where Charleston authors Dubose and Dorothy Heyward lived in the 1930s. In June of 1934, American composer and pianist, George Gershwin came to town to write an opera based off of Dubose’s novel, Porgy. Gershwin stayed at a beachfront cabin near the Heywards and spent most of his summer at their house writing the music for the opera, “Porgy and Bess”.
Eat
Eat Folly Beach Crab Shack
A fun seafood restaurant where you can get crab legs, shellfish, and shrimp by the bucket, with Southern favorites like shrimp and grits. Outdoor shaded patio and very laid-back setting; indeed, this place is something of a local hang-out.
Sleep
Go next
There's only one way in, and most people visiting Folly Beach will be coming from Charleston, with its many historic attractions. Other beaches in the area include the popular Isle of Palms and the quieter Sullivan's Island, both to the north on the other side of Charleston. To the south, Kiawah Island and Seabrook Island are more isolated and are excellent places to see wildlife.
Nearby
Charleston
City / town · 82 listings · 8 mi away
Sullivan's Island
City / town · 3 listings · 9 mi away
Kiawah Island
City / town · 7 listings · 9 mi away
Isle of Palms
City / town · 14 listings · 12 mi away
Mount Pleasant
City / town · 11 listings · 12 mi away
Seabrook Island
City / town · 15 mi away
North Charleston
City / town · 11 listings · 16 mi away
Moncks Corner
City / town · 7 listings · 36 mi away
My experience
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