Charleston's Hidden Beach Gems: 7 Stunning Shorelines Beyond the Crowds

Sullivan's Island presents a compelling contradiction—just 20 minutes from downtown Charleston yet worlds away in atmosphere. This 3.3-mile stretch offers what I consider the quintessential family beach experience: gentle waves, clean sands, and enough space to spread out without feeling hemmed in by neighboring beachgoers.

What truly distinguishes Sullivan's Island is its delightful absence of commercial development. You won't find tacky souvenir shops or high-rise hotels here—just elegant beach homes and a lighthouse that's stood sentinel since 1962. The maritime forest near Station 16 provides welcome shade during scorching summer days, creating natural playgrounds for wee ones to explore.

Before heading out, I always prepare a proper picnic with a insulated cooler bag that keeps our refreshments chilled despite the Carolina heat. The lighthouse views near Fort Moultrie offer an ideal backdrop for family photos—just remember to capture them during the golden hour for that warm, honeyed light that photographers chase across continents.

For families willing to embrace a touch of adventure, Capers Island rewards with pristine wilderness that feels straight from a castaway fantasy. This undeveloped barrier island, accessible only by boat, houses the hauntingly beautiful 'Boneyard Beach'—where sun-bleached trees create nature's sculpture garden against the shoreline.

I chartered a small boat from Isle of Palms Marina last summer, and the 15-minute journey across the inlet became part of the adventure itself. Dolphins playfully escorted us halfway, much to the delight of my friend's children. Upon arrival, we had nearly three miles of untouched shoreline completely to ourselves—a proper luxury in peak season.

The island's interior salt marsh teems with wildlife, from graceful herons to scuttling fiddler crabs. Pack your waterproof dry bag to protect cameras and valuables during the boat journey. For wildlife spotting, I recommend a quality monocular that's lightweight enough for children to handle yet powerful enough to bring distant birds into focus.

Bulls Island within Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge offers perhaps the most rewarding wilderness beach experience near Charleston. The ferry ride from Awendaw builds anticipation, crossing waters where bottlenose dolphins frequently make appearances. Upon arrival, you're greeted by seven miles of untouched shoreline and over 16 miles of hiking trails.

Boneyard Beach on the northeastern shore presents a photographer's dream—ancient live oaks and cedars, claimed by the encroaching sea, create a hauntingly beautiful landscape that shifts with each tide. I spent hours here last autumn, capturing the interplay of light through the skeletal branches while oyster catchers patrolled the surf line.

For families, the island's interior freshwater impoundment, Jack's Creek, offers exceptional wildlife viewing. During our visit, we spotted alligators sunning themselves along the banks (from a safe distance, mind you) and over 30 bird species in a single afternoon. The island's remoteness means preparation is essential—I always pack a beach shelter for respite from the midday sun, especially when traveling with children who need breaks between adventures.

Kiawah Island typically conjures images of exclusive golf resorts and gated communities, but Beachwalker Park on the island's western end offers public access to some of South Carolina's most stunning coastline. The park provides a perfect middle ground—pristine natural beauty with sufficient amenities for comfortable family outings.

What distinguishes Beachwalker from other public beaches is the expansive tidal flats that emerge during low tide, creating natural shallow pools perfect for younger children. The shoreline borders the Kiawah River inlet, offering the unique opportunity to experience both river and ocean environments in one visit.

During my last visit, I followed the boardwalk through maritime forest that opened dramatically onto wide, shell-strewn beaches. Families with proper gear seemed to enjoy the most comfortable experience—I noticed several using beach wagons to transport their equipment across the longer stretches of sand. For those planning a full day, the beach umbrella anchor proved invaluable against the afternoon sea breeze that can send standard umbrellas tumbling across the sand.

An hour south of Charleston lies Edisto Beach State Park, where the Atlantic's gentle waves have been depositing prehistoric treasures for millennia. This less-traveled shore offers families a dual adventure—traditional beach relaxation paired with the thrill of fossil hunting.

The northern end of the beach, where the tidal creek meets ocean, consistently yields the most fascinating finds. During our day trip last spring, my friend's children discovered several fossilized shark teeth within the first hour—their excitement was absolutely infectious. The nearby interpretive center provides identification guides for your discoveries, transforming a simple beach day into an educational expedition.

Beyond fossil hunting, the four miles of pristine beach provide ample space for traditional seaside activities. The maritime forest trails offer welcome shade during peak heat, with boardwalks winding through a fascinating ecosystem where raccoons and deer often make appearances.

For serious fossil hunters, I recommend bringing a sand sifter to process material from the tide line more efficiently. When packing for Edisto, consider bringing a popup beach cabana as shade options are limited on certain stretches of the beach.

Accessible only by boat, Morris Island offers perhaps the most dramatic coastal landscape near Charleston. The abandoned lighthouse standing offshore—surrounded entirely by water due to erosion—creates a hauntingly beautiful sentinel that has witnessed centuries of maritime history.

During my visit last summer, we chartered a small boat from Folly Beach that deposited us on this uninhabited island for several hours of exploration. The northern tip provides unparalleled views of Charleston Harbor, while the eastern shore offers excellent shell collecting opportunities.

The island's isolation has preserved its natural state, with no facilities or amenities whatsoever—precisely what makes it special. Dolphins frequently patrol the waters between Morris and neighboring islands, sometimes engaging in strand feeding (a remarkable behavior where they herd fish onto shore before beaching themselves momentarily to feed).

For this adventure, proper preparation is essential. I pack a waterproof phone case for protection against splashes during the boat journey. The shifting sand and shell fragments also demand appropriate footwear—I've found water shoes provide necessary protection while remaining comfortable for extended beach walks.

Saving perhaps the most extraordinary for last, Botany Bay Plantation on Edisto Island presents a beach experience that feels transported from another world. The preserved plantation includes a 4-mile driving tour through maritime forest before revealing its crown jewel—a beach where the ocean has reclaimed the land, leaving a haunting boneyard of weathered trees standing in surf.

Unlike other boneyards in the region, Botany Bay's fallen trees have been bleached silver-white by salt and sun, creating an ethereal landscape that stops first-time visitors in their tracks. During my first visit, I arrived at dawn to find myself completely alone with this surreal scenery—a photographer's dream that had me frantically adjusting settings to capture the golden light illuminating these natural sculptures.

The beach's strict preservation rules (no collecting shells or artifacts) have resulted in shell accumulations unlike anywhere else along the coast. The shoreline literally crunches beneath your feet as you walk across thousands of whelks, conchs and other specimens.

For serious photographers, I recommend bringing a lens cleaning kit as salt spray can quickly compromise image quality in this environment. Families should note the longer walk to the beach from the parking area—approximately half a mile—making a beach cart invaluable for transporting supplies.