Hi. My friend and I (both 30) are interested in finding a more low-key beach destination on the Carolina coast. Key features: beautiful, uncrowded beaches; golf nearby; villa or condo accomodations for 1 week; moderate (but not cheap) rates. THANKS!

Without question, Kiawah Island, 15 mintues outside of historic, beautiful Charleston, SC has everything on your list. My wife and I (both 34) have been there twice from CT and was not disappointed with either trip. Great golf (play the Ocean course, home of a prior Ryder Cup, after 2:00 for reduced rate), pristine, uncrowded beaches, fantastic restaurants nearby and on the island.

Go for the villas one block off the beach - you'll save about $500 for the week vs. beachfront and the walk to the ocean is only another 200 feet. A week's stay should go for around $700.

Right next door to Kiawah Island is Seabrook Island in South Carolina. We stayed at a nice 3 bedroom, 2 bath villa for about $600 two years ago. Came with bikes, beach chairs, etc. There's probably less to do than Kiawah, but the beach is gorgeous (we found sand dollars, hermit crabs, conch shells, crabs) and the pace is most definitely unhurried. We've recommended it to friends, and one couple is buying property down there. If you'd like more info about where we stayed, please e-mail me.

While living in Charlotte a few years ago, two girlfriends and I once went to Ocracoke (at the south end of the outer banks) for 5 days and loved it. It was a very long drive and then a ferry to get there but it was worth it. The shore is protected and undeveloped so it is unspoiled. The town is adorable and has lots of variety in terms of accommodations (small hotels, B&Bs, etc.) and wonderful restaurants. The locals have a unique accent that we enjoyed (it almost sounded British sometimes). One day we went charter fishing with Cap'n Dave which I recommend -- we caught tons of fish and immediately took them to a local restaurant which cooked them for us and they were delicious! There is a pretty lighthouse you can walk to and there are wild ponies. It was a really relaxing time. I can't remember the name of the hotel where we stayed but I'm sure you can get options from the local tourist office or chamber of commerce there if you call information. I seem to remember they sent us a book of vacation rental options for renting homes, etc. and many weren't that expensive. Also on the outer banks I know lots of people who enjoy going to Duck and claim it's low-key and uncrowded as well, but I haven't been there.

Ocracoke is much more isolated than Kiawah. But, both give you a beach experience that is less than touristy, in my opinion. If you go to Ocracoke, better set an alarm calendar because you will forget time.

You might also want to look into beaches between Myrtle Beach, SC and Wilmington, NC. The golf around North Myrtle and Myrtle is excellent, but for smaller beach crowds go elsewhere.

Hi Shelby - If you want a beautiful beach with no high rises or much of anything else except good accommodations and quiet beach, try Edisto Island or Pawleys Island, South Carolina. Many of the houses are the old-fashioned rustic (sometimes ramshackle) type, but there are also many new more sophisticated condos and houses. We love it!

Hi, Shelby;

All the above suggestions are fine, depending on exactly what you are looking for.

Pardon my prejudice, but as a transplanted South Carolinian and former long-term resident of Florida, I think our S.C. beaches are unique.

Myrtle is fine for crowds;lots of EVERYthing, inc. excellent golf, but definitely NOT low-key!

Fripp Island, approx. 20 miles off the coast of Beaufort, S.C. (think: a miniature Charleston; used for many movie settings) is lovely. Nice value for the $ and VERY laid-back.

Our very favorite, Hunting Island, almost entirely a state park, is the island before reaching Fripp. If you want to step back in time and enjoy simple pleasures, such as cast-netting for shrimp, catching crabs all kinds of ways, inc. a string tied around a piece of chicken, bird-watching on the marshwalk, climb to the top of the lighthouse, etc., this could be the place for you.

I'm ready to go back!

Best of luck. I KNOW you'll have a great trip, wherever you choose!

JudyJ

Hi,
What great suggestions! But I would love to get any opintions for 4 or 5 girlfriends (early 30's) who want to relax by a quite beach and are also want to go out for some fun nights.

Thank you.