Offering southern hospitality in a stunning beachfront setting, Folly Beach should be more than just a day trip on your next visit to coastal South Carolina. While most people flock to nearby Charleston for the ambiance and history, making Folly Beach a footnote on their vacation itinerary, this picturesque barrier island is actually the perfect centerpiece for getaway filled with relaxing pursuits.

Stretching for six miles just off the coast of South Carolina, Folly Beach combines the excitement of a waterfront vacation destination with the historical beauty of Charleston to provide an all-around amazing trip to anyone who steps foot along its shores. The waves of the Atlantic invite visitors outside for an afternoon on a soft sandy beach, while the wonderfully preserved atmosphere and buildings of the Old South are just a 15 minute drive away in Charleston. With surf, sand, sea, and history at your beck and call, you simply could not ask for anything more from an island oasis.

Should the sunshine and pleasant weather draw you towards the waterfront, the place to be is the Folly Beach County Park on the west side of the island. While you will certainly find plenty of sandy strips throughout the island, this soft expanse features not only 4000 feet of ocean frontage, with 600 feet designated for swimming only, but also 2000 feet along the Folly River for a distinct waterfront experience. Picture-perfect on 100 acres of highland, you can easily enjoy a day of sunning, swimming, surfing, and strolling in the sand as all of your cares melt away.

For those who prefer high-powered excitement on the Atlantic, Folly Beach is also teeming with watercraft rentals to make your adventures that just more memorable. Jet ski rentals are always popular, as are kayak rentals for those who want to explore the shoreline at a slower pace, but a more memorable excursion awaits when you set out with Reel Screamer Charters. Perfect for families, they combine bird watching, dolphin watching, shelling, and sightseeing around the Morris Island Lighthouse to provide a day of scenic beauty away from the crowds at the beach.

Beyond the waterfront adventures, Folly Beach offers fine southern cooking and ambiance in its many delightful restaurants. A cozy corner where you can mingle with the locals and enjoy a hearty breakfast, the Lost Dog Café is the perfect place to refuel before a long day of sun and sand. For delicious, uniquely-prepared seafood in a festive and inviting atmosphere, be sure to hit up the Folly Beach Crab Shack and relax on the outdoor deck for spectacular views and amazing food.

Since Charleston is one of those places in the country that everyone must see at least once, schedule a day or two to soak in the style and grace of this rich city. Overflowing with pre-Revolutionary War buildings, stunning antebellum homes, cobblestone streets, and the fragrant aroma of jasmine and wisteria, you can’t help but feel as if you have been swept away to another place and time. While you could simply wander around town and catch a glimpse of many historical sights, consider purchasing a Heritage Passport ticket for access to five fine homes and the Gibbes Museum. You can also contact the Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau for advance information about tours and special events.

In a land where schedules fall by the wayside and the water dictates the pace of the day, you simply cannot help but forget all of your worries in Folly Beach. Slightly off the beaten path and teeming with dramatic scenery, you can enjoy the very best of this island wonder in a Folly Beach vacation rental that nestles against the soft sand and offers easy access to waterfront delights. In addition to the breathtaking ocean views and gentle breezes that only serve to remind you of your stunning setting, Folly Beach vacation rentals are also only a stone’s throw away from the plantations, houses, museums, and ambiance of beautiful Charleston. Always well-rounded with nary a dull moment, Folly Beach invites you to experience its wonders from a cozy vacation rental that looks and feels just like home.

Folly Beach is an island wonder that is tucked between the boundless opportunities of the Atlantic Ocean and the spectacular beauty of historic Charleston, South Carolina. In a place where southern hospitality harkens back to a simpler, less stressful, time, you can leave all of your worries on the mainland and become one the laid-back locals in a Folly Beach vacation home rental.

While most people know Folly Beach as the closest sandy wonder to Charleston, and the perfect place for a day trip, this six mile long barrier island is an entertaining and inviting vacation destination in itself. With extensive ocean frontage and soft sandy beaches, it is the perfect place to throw down a towel and experience adventures beyond compare. Swimming, sunning, jet skiing, parasailing, and kayaking are always on the menu, while fishing from the Folly Beach Edwin S. Taylor Fishing Pier is a local favorite for not only the big catches but also the stunning views of the “Edge of America.”

If the beaches aren’t enough to draw you in, or you think that Folly Beach is still only good for a day of excitement, then consider the scenic beauty and utter relaxation that await when you venture away from the everyday. The little pleasures in life, such as strolling the sand at sunset and watching the dolphins frolic in the waves, take center stage and the lack of tourist attractions becomes a gift since you can then focus on the great outdoors. When you spend your time appreciating your surroundings, rather than scurrying from one activity to another, only then can you truly enjoy your time away from home.

Although some people can spend their entire vacation at the beach, most of us need that little something extra to keep our attention and complement our other activities. Charleston may not seem like anything little when you read about its many historical wonders, and it certainly isn’t, but it is the perfect side note for an all-around amazing trip. By combining the beachfront adventures of Folly Beach with the striking houses, museums, and plantations of Charleston, you can get everything you always wanted out of a coastal South Carolina getaway in addition to a little more relaxation than you imagined.

With Folly Beach and Charleston so close together and each offering different forms of beauty, you may not think that it makes a big difference where you make your home base. However, Folly Beach is the logical choice for anyone who wants to escape from the crowds that flock to Charleston, which is considered one of the top places to visit in America, and surround themselves with a serene beach setting. In a Folly Beach vacation rental, stunning ocean views, gentle breezes, and endless waterfront entertainment are at your fingertips and all of the comforts of home only serve to make your stay that just more convenient.

Folly Beach vacation rentals are also the perfect option for soaking in the southern charms of this quaint island. As you become acquainted with the slower pace of life, you can take advantage of all the little things your home away from home has to offer in the way of relaxation. The private patio and rocking chairs are perfect for ending the day on a high note, while the sights and sounds of the dolphins, pelicans, and ocean are an arousing alarm clock and invigorating way to begin your morning. Meals on the screened in patio and evenings around the cozy kitchen are just the beginning of fulfilling family getaway where you always feel right at home.

Picturesque, entertaining, and always an adventure, Folly Beach is more than just a place to swim in the ocean and enjoy the delights of Charleston; it is a distinct and charming city where beautiful scenery comes to life and waterfront excursions always seem just a little more perfect along its lovely shoreline. Whether you need to getaway from it all on an island paradise or you simply want something slightly off the beaten path, Folly Beach and its many vacation home rentals invite you to experience a one-of-a-kind retreat that is sure to have you coming back for years to come.