2 weeks Ago
Wide sandy beaches ideal for sunbathing, swimming or surfing, shell collecting or just kicking back and relaxing await visitors to South Carolina’s Hammock Coast. And all of the beaches are within a short drive of delicious seafood restaurants, spectacular golf courses, historic scenic attractions and shopping opportunities galore. The Hammock Coast beaches, among the 180 miles of beaches on South Carolina’s coastline, may at one time have been flying under the radar.
But no more. For today, these pristine beaches have rightfully earned their places as being among America’s favorite vacation places. In 2024, for example, USA TODAY — fifth largest daily newspaper in America — declared that Pawleys Island, on the north end of the Hammock Coast, was the best beach in South Carolina.
And in recent years, prestigious national publications like Southern Living Magazine noted that three of South Carolina’s best beaches are on the Hammock Coast. In addition, Trip Advisor, a travel source many rely on for reputable advice on the best places to visit, said one of the Top 10 beaches in America was the Hammock Coast’s Litchfield Beach. So what is it, exactly, about the Hammock Coast’s beaches that makes them so popular? Talk to those who visit them and you’ll get responses ranging from the beaches’ laid-back vibes to their family friendly soothing relaxation.
Others will be quick to tell you that the amazingly beautiful Hammock Coast beaches are the perfect place to appreciate wildlife and other hidden-jewel aspects of South Carolina’s coastal communities. This is especially true, for example, at the three miles of scenic beach at Huntington Beach State Park, just south of Garden City. Come here, on the straight and narrow bridge crossing the marsh as you enter HBSP, if you enjoy observing birds, alligators, turtles, snakes or other coastal species.
And if you’re interested in history, Huntington Beach State Park also has you covered. Just a short walk or bike ride from the beach is Atalaya Castle, where the founders of Brookgreen Gardens kept their pet bears and hunting dogs. (In World War II, the U.
S. military had personnel at the castle who kept a watch out for German submarines). For more information, contact http://www.
southcarolinaparks.com/huntington-beach . A few miles north of Huntington Beach State Park — and on the north end of the Hammock Coast — is the family friendly Garden City Beach, which has public beach access locations (featuring free parking) on South Waccamaw Drive.
The Garden City Pier is a favorite location for those who like to fish, people watch, read a good book or have a sandwich or frozen dessert. Bordering Garden City is Murrells Inlet, which advertises itself as South Carolina’s seafood capital. With a scenic MarshWalk, dozens of seafood restaurants and charming gift shops, visitors also love Murrells Inlet because it’s ideal for kayaking, canoeing and crabbing and fishing.
Other popular beaches on the Hammock Coast include: •North Litchfield Beach, which has 12 access points and limited parking, with parking rules being strictly enforced. • Litchfield Beach, which has six marked public access points and with much of its available parking being for those who live permanently or part-time near this beach. It’s a good idea, if you’re planning to visit Litchfield Beach, to have someone drop you off and pick you back up later.
• Pawleys Island Beach, at the south end of the island, which has a 141-car parking lot, the biggest free public beach access lot in Georgetown County, and eight access points. For more information about this beach, call Pawleys Island Town Hall at 843-237-1698. Regardless which Hammock Coast beach you visit, obey the lifeguards, do not bring any glass containers to the beach, do not swim more than 50 yards from shore or in more than chest deep water, and do not disturb the dunes or sea oats.
Dogs are allowed on most beaches in Georgetown County, but some parts of Huntington Beach State Park, depending on the time of the year, won’t permit even leashed canines. Mark Stevens, director of tourism development for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce, uses one word repeatedly to characterize the beaches of the Hammock Coast. Pristine.
"That’s what sets them apart," he said. "You go from Huntington Beach State Park (on the north end) to Litchfield Beach to Pawleys Island to the beaches down near Georgetown. You’ve just got beautiful beaches.
They’re unspoiled, just like a lot of the area is. ..
. “Nature is a very important part of tourism here. It’s what makes the Hammock Coast so special.
” Stevens said that within the past year Pawleys Island was named the best beach in South Carolina by USA TODAY, with Litchfield Beach being ranked No. 4 and Huntington Beach State Park No. 5 "which is really cool.
...
. And Pawleys often gets these kinds of accolades from media. .
.. Southern Living often lists it as one of the best beaches in America or certainly in South Carolina or on the East Coast.
We’re really pleased with that.” And you won’t get a disagreement about such an accolade from Penny Jalosky, a retired operating room registered nurse who has been visiting Huntington Beach State Park for some 20 years. Now an accomplished Surfside Beach amateur photographer who regularly posts wildlife pictures on her Facebook page, Jalosky says she especially delights in snapping pictures of birds.
She calls HBSP a refuge for a great variety of migrating birds. "I enjoy walking from the north beach to the jetties, an area I see many sea turtles, mink and shore birds," she said. "For those that enjoy seeing alligators and snakes in the wild, it is a wonderful viewing area.
Deer, raccoons, fox, marsh rats and river otters are some other wildlife I have enjoyed watching.".
