Public Beach Access
 

My husband and I would like to visit Charleston and the surrounding beaches in August. How feasible is it to drive from Charleston to a nearby public beach for the day? Any particular islands more available for day tourists?
Also - I've been looking for a moderately priced hotel on the surrounding islands but I'm finding mostly rentals... any hotel/motel advise close to Charleston?

April, all beaches in South Carolina are public and are considered government property to the mean high tide line.

There are public beach accesses and parking everywhere.

Do you know which beach you'd like to visit?

The closest would probably be Isle of Palms.

As for a hotel, do you want to be near the beach or near downtown Charleston? Wild Dunes hotel, the Boardwalk Inn, is about 20 minutes from Charleston proper.

Having a car does make a difference. There are beautiful public beaches on Kiawah Island--Beachwalker park among them. Check here:
http://ccprc.com/index.asp?NID=50

TrvlMaven or others,

If we wanted to venture to Beachwalker Park during our week at Wild Dunes, what would be the best route to take? My brother just returned from a business trip to Charleston and he said the traffic can be terrible. If you have any advice we would really appreciate it!

Is there a reason you must go to Beachwalker Park?

Kiawah is a bit of a drive from Isle of Palms (Wild Dunes) and could take as long as an hour and a half to a minimum of 45 minutes.

Wild Dunes has one of the prettiest beaches in the state.

I would just drive 17 South to Kiawah. Don't speed as the highway patrol will nail you out on those island roads.

GoTravel, No reason except to explore another beach or SC location! :) But, I didn't realize it could take that long. I read on another site that Kiawah was "a short drive" from the IOP, so I thought it may be a nice outing....That is not my idea of a short drive! (and with gas prices being what they are :( )

We have never been to Wild Dunes, and are so excited about it. April, my brother did just what you want to do last week. He drove from Charleston (actually the Air Force base) to the IOP. He said it took him about 25 minutes. He also said he set up his chair right near the public park and it was pretty crowded with a lot of teens and kids on that part of the beach. He said he would move a bit further down the beach the next time. There is a Holiday Inn there I think, but it hasn't gotten the best reviews on TripAdvisor. Hope this helps.

The two islands are geographically close, by the way the bird flies, but since they are barrier islands, access is key. You have to drive from island to mainland back out to the island.

It is actually quicker by boat.