Mortgage Broker in Folly Beach, SC

The spirited island hamlet south of Charleston shakes off mainland sophistication in favor of flip-flops and cash-only dive bars.

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It's only twelve miles south of Charleston's historic homes and manicured window boxes, but the salty little town of Folly Beach ditches the Holy City's refinement in favor of an easygoing, barefoot sensibility that feels a bit more California than Carolina. Known to locals as the Edge of America, Folly is everything a beach town should be. Surf shops line the main drag; cover-ups count as appropriate lunch attire; and nobody takes themselves too seriously (they drop a pair of LED-lit flip-flops to celebrate New Year's Eve). Here's where to stay, eat, relax, and play in South Carolina's super chill surf town.

Where to Stay

Every single room at Tides Folly Beach comes with an ocean view. Perched at the end of Center Street, the town's main thoroughfare, the hotel is steps from both the beach and an array of local shops and eateries. For families looking to stretch out a bit more, there are a boatload of rentals to choose from: Opt for ocean-front properties that will sleep a crowd or cozy cottages with marsh and Folly River views. And for people who wouldn't dream of traveling without their four-legged companions, there are plenty of pet-friendly rentals too.

Where to Eat

You won't go hungry on this island. Lost Dog Café is a local staple, serving coffee and all-day breakfast; don't miss the eggs Benedict, which they top with fried green tomatoes. Fish tacos, Vietnamese-inspired lettuce wraps, and Cuban sandwiches all have a place on the colorful menu at Chico Feo, where the vibe is equally colorful. Don't let the easygoing atmosphere fool you: Rita's Seaside Grille is serious about its food...and its cocktails. Try one of the Signature Crushes, fruity sippers with flavored liquors that pack a punch. End the night at Sand Dollar Social Club, a dive bar where you're invited to come as you are, so long as you're a member; membership costs $1, so bring your cash (you won't find a credit card machine here).

Where to Relax

The island's six miles of beachfront are its main attraction, and it'd be easy to while away a week with no plans beyond putting your toes in the sand. Spend a day shelling, sunning, surfing, or searching for shark teeth. Enjoy oceanfront views while lunching at BLU Beach Bar and Grill. At the northern end of Folly Beach, the Morris Island Lighthouse provides a stunning backdrop from the shore. Get a closer look from the Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve or via kayak. Several guided tours leave from Folly Beach to visit Morris Island for shelling, photography, and lighthouse history. The historic lighthouse is not open for viewing. How close you can get to the lighthouse depends on the tides.

Where to Play

For those looking to build an action-packed itinerary, there are plenty of activities that highlight the destination's natural beauty: Book a guided kayak tour or rent a stand-up paddleboard to explore the tidal creeks; stop by McKevlin's Surf Shop, South Carolina's oldest surfing outfitter, before catching some of the area's best waves at The Washout; and plan to make a trip with your fishing poles to check out the beloved Folly Beach Pier that has reopened after extensive renovations.

FOLLY BEACH — The expectation of high tides on the Fourth of July has washed out a planned fireworks show in this island town.

The Folly Association of Business, the organization that handles the fireworks display on the island dubbed “The Edge of America,” announced June 27 it canceled the planned pyrotechnics display because of the expectation of “exceptionally high tides at dusk” on July 4.

“Unfortunately, there will not be enough area on the beach for the pyrotechnics trailer and the surrounding set-up needed to execute the display,” a spokeswoman for the group said in a statement. No alternate sites could be found without violating safety clearance regulations, the group said.

The event is usually held about three blocks west of Center Street on the beachfront near West Arctic and West Ashley avenues.

Several other communities throughout the Lowcountry will offer fireworks shows throughout the upcoming holiday weekend. See the list below for more information.

June 30

Charleston: 8-10 p.m., gates open at 6 p.m., Joe Riley Baseball Park, 360 Fishburne St.; free admission but tickets must be reserved in advance; 8 p.m. Charleston Symphony Orchestra performs; concessions available. More info: tinyurl.com/mr35su72.

July 1

Moncks Corner: 6-10 p.m., Regional Recreation Complex, 418 E. Main St., free admission. Bring lawn chairs and blankets; alcohol prohibited. More info: monckscorner.gov

July 3

Seabrook Island: Dusk, Seabrook Island Club driving range, 3771 Seabrook Island Road; limited to island guests and residents. Rain date July 5. More info: sipoa.org/4th-of-july-events-2

July 4

Goose Creek: 6:30-9:30 p.m., Municipal Center, 519 N. Goose Creek Blvd.; free admission. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. More info: cityofgoosecreek.com

Six months after a judge ordered medical entrepreneur Doug Smith to pay $4.5 million to settle a Medicare fraud case, the IRS came calling with questions about an even larger income tax bill.

On Nov. 8, 2021, an IRS investigator and an assistant U.S. attorney confronted Smith in Miami with a document detailing years of questionable financial transactions and a draft plea agreement that alleged he owed more than $26 million in federal income taxes, according to documents obtained by The Post and Courier.

The federal documents detailed vacation homes in places such as pricey Sullivan’s Island, as well as an airplane, high-end jewelry, classic cars and designer clothes bought by Smith and his wife. The documents also threatened possible prison time and hefty fines.

But then nothing seemed to happen.

No charges were filed, the case never went to court, and Smith went on to make millions more as the founder of an opioid telehealth treatment business that started in the Carolinas and has spread across more than 20 states. The business, incorporated as a nonprofit church, serves at least 4,000 patients — including 400 in South Carolina.

The IRS won’t say what happened to the case, and Smith told The Post and Courier that he believes the taxmen have moved on to other targets.

But former prosecutors say the appearance of inactivity doesn’t necessarily mean nothing is happening behind the scenes. Tax evasion cases are complicated and often take time to build before the hammer eventually drops, they said.

More clear is that federal authorities had been taking a hard look at Smith’s finances for many years. A PowerPoint presentation compiled by prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Florida, where Smith was once based, spans dozens of pages in its quest to document an opulent lifestyle allegedly supported by taxes the government was owed.

Have you visited Folly Beach, SC? No matter what kind of beach trip you are looking for, you can find it on the barrier islands of Charleston, South Carolina. Folly Beach is your best bet for the perfect mix of relaxing beaches and spots to dine. Folly Island is 18 square miles of sand and sun and offers a beach town vibe just 20 minutes from the tourist attractions of Charleston.

This article includes:Public Beach Access on Folly IslandFolly Island Places to Eat

Take A Trip To Visit More Beaches That Are Located Not Far From The Upstate!

Folly Island On The Coast Of South Carolina

The beaches of the Low Country offer something for everyone when it comes to a beach trip. For a quiet, non-commercialized beach experience, Kiawah Island’s Beach Walker Park is my go-to option. However, if a tourist-heavy, commercialized expertise is what you seek, Isle Of Palms fits the bill.

If a sandy spot somewhere in the middle of both is what you want, then the beaches of Folly Island are perfect. They are family-friendly, quiet, and some access points have restrooms and showers for beachgoers to use. The downtown area of Folly Island offers a funky beach town vibe that’s solidified its place in the history of the SC coast.

Here’s a Great Map of Folly Island To Show The Kids

Where to Stay Near Folly Beach, SC

This Stay 22 Map contains affiliate links that will help you find the perfect place to stay near Folly Beach!

Accessing The Beach On Folly Island

With six miles of shoreline, there’s no shortage of sand to spread out on when visiting Folly Beach. Finding beach access isn’t difficult, but depending on your family’s needs, one access might be more suitable than another.

Located on the southern tip of Folly Island, the county park offers families all of the amenities they might need including showers, restrooms, a seasonal concession stand, seasonal lifeguards, and chair rentals.

The parking fees range from $5-$20, depending on the season, and are $20 on weekends and summer holidays. Park gates are open from 8 am to sunset.

The Folly Beach Ocean Park is located at the end of West Arctic Avenue. It offers beachgoers restroom and shower facilities that are free and open to the public (currently only open during the summer.)

At the end of nearly every block on the island there is a beach access pathway. Some spots include parking if space permits, otherwise you can park streetside.

The further you drive away from the pier, the less the metered parking costs. By quite a bit. If you aren’t trying to be right next to the pier and center street, drive a few miles north to find cheaper meter rates. The parking meter fees can be paid through a kiosk, or with the PARK Folly Beach app.

The centerpiece of Folly Island is the Folly Beach Pier. The pier was recently renovated. Amenities at Folly Beach Pier include the gift shop, restrooms, showers, changing rooms, and wheelchair beach access.

The Pier 101 Restaurant is open Wednesday through Monday, and offers seafood, sandwiches, and more!

Swimming is permitted on the beach that flanks the sides of the pier, however, the undertow can become dangerous near the pier causing unsafe conditions. Also, people throw baited hooks off of that pier looking to catch “a big un”. I don’t know about you, but I would prefer not to be swimming near where people are reeling in jaws.

The parking fees range from $5-$20, depending on the season, and are $20 on weekends and summer holidays. Pier hours vary by season, so be sure to check the park’s site before venturing out.

Places To Eat On Folly Island

There are plenty of spots to choose from when it comes to meals on Folly Island. These are just a few of our favorites when we head out to spend the day on Folly Beach.

Taco BoyAmeri-mex style food with a kid’s menu, and a full bar. Great spot for nachos and margs after a day on the beach.

The Lost Dog Cafe

The perfect spot for breakfast or brunch, The Lost Dog has sandwiches, burgers, breakfast (all day), and more.

Saint James Gate Proper Irish Pub & Three Monkey’s Ice CreamThe menu here has a little bit of everything, including tacos. It’s kid & dog-friendly! Plus they have some delicious dessert options.

The Pineapple HutIf you spend any time on Folly Island, you are bound to see people walking down the street with a pineapple in their hands. This food truck is where it came from, filled with Dole Whip, or one of their weekly special flavors of soft-serve style ice cream. (March through November).

One of South Carolina’s rascally alligators rattled tourists when it showed up on the second-story deck of a vacation home in Folly Beach.

Videos posted Oct. 27 on Facebook show the alligator was discovered after it reached the top of the stairs.

“Having a house (at) Folly Beach SC for 11 years we have never seen or heard of alligators on the island because there are no ponds,” Greg Bayer wrote.

“That all changed today when the guests at my neighbor’s house pointed out that they had a visitor on the second floor porch. He climbed 16 steps to get there.”

The alligator looks confused in the videos, having realized too late that the stairs led to a wall and railings rather than an exit.

It appeared to be considering a jump from the second floor, until Bayer decided to help. His assistance involved herding the alligator back toward the stairs.

Video shows it teetered precariously at the top for awhile, then appeared to half walk, half slide down the steps. That unexpected move elicited screams from those watching.

“He hissed at me a few times,” Bayer wrote.

The 6-foot alligator eventually exited a gate and went to a marsh near the home, which is on East Erie Avenue, Bayer told WCBD. Folly Beach is about 10 miles south of Charleston.

The videos have been views thousands of times and gotten hundreds of reactions, including a lot of trick-or-treat jokes. Some wondered what the gator expected to find at the top of the stairs, while others say it got lucky to encounter sympathetic tourists.

“One can only imagine the ruckus an inebriated, and disoriented tourist would’ve caused,” John Tucker wrote on Facebook.

“I’ll hand him a beer and some wings,” William Leon said.

“Don’t leave your keys under a planter. They probably know how to unlock a door!” Vicki Owens Sutphin wrote on Facebook.

This story was originally published November 3, 2023, 8:50 AM.

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCIV) — A beautiful day of beach-goings went on Thursday following a night of rising tides on Folly Beach. While those beachgoers were busy having fun Folly leaders were busy uncovering a sad truth about Tropical Storm Idalia's impact: Sand on the beach could become a dwindling commodity.

“This is actually the worst erosion we’ve seen since the passage of Hurricane Matthew back in 2016," said Nicole Elko, the Coastal Consultant for the City of Folly Beach.

Wednesday night's unusually high tide was a challenge for the beach.

Read more: Second Lowcountry tornado confirmed in North Mt. Pleasant.

“So we are five years since our last renourishment. So, we weren't very prepared going into this hurricane season with sand on the beach," said Elko.

Idalia's impact caused up to 15 feet of dune loss in some spots. Even higher numbers in others. With three months left in Hurricane Season, Folly could see even more erosion before the next renourishment happens.

Elko tells us, “We won't have any sand on the beach for Hurricane season and we will be extremely vulnerable for the next month or two.”

Efforts are underway to work with the Army Corps of Engineers to hopefully speed up the renourishment timeline. The work could start in the Winter or as late as March 24.

Read more: INTERVIEW; Mayor Crawford Moore assesses damage at Edisto Beach.

With an Emergency Declaration approved by President Joe Biden on Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers could go in and help local spots like Folly Beach impacted by Idalia.

Jeff Livasy, the Chief of Civil Works for the Corps Charleston branch, said "What we anticipate doing from this event is looking at the storm damage and then we will be asking if we can basically, incorporate that into our ongoing activities and say, 'okay, we anticipated, you know, a set number or, you know, so many cubic yards of loss from Hurricane Ian.

"We now quantify that we got a little bit more from this hurricane are we eligible for the funding from last year or can we get additional funding and just keep the same efforts going but at an increased quantity."

Meanwhile, a number of folks were enjoying the change in weather over the 24-hour span. Some families and even beach-goers going solo were busy using metal detectors searching for "treasures." More importantly was just the chance to enjoy a great day of surf and sand regardless of the erosion status.

“It’s the perfect day. Like I don’t think we’ve had a better day this entire summer. It’s still catchable waves and it’s like 70 degrees all day," said surfer Georgia Myrick

Read more: Charleston leverages storm cleanup to discuss future resilience amid rising sea levels.

WCIV