My family ( 5 adults and 5 children) usually spends about $4500 for a week at Isle of Palms every summer. This year, our budget is tight. I’m trying to find a beach location that might be had for $2500 to $3000, ( obviously not going to be IOP, Folly Beach, Hilton Head, or anything like that). Anybody know anything about Harbor Island? Thanks!

It looks wonderful. I had not heard of it. Apparently you have a rental there that fills you bill.

How many bedrooms do you like to get for this group? We spent about that much for an oceanfront in Ocean Isle Beach (NC). several years ago.
It also may depend if you want oceanfront or not. If I'm going to the beach it's gonna be ON the ocean!! LOL

IOP has gotten ridiculously expensive - we haven't been comfortable with the value equation there for years, and sadly it seems that Folly has followed suit.

You may want to look at some of the towns south of Myrtle Beach or if willing to go a bit further north, Topsail in NC.

As Brian suggests, south of MB are Garden City and Surfside Beach. Maybe even Litchfield.
Does everyone stay in the same house?

I would agree that you are going to have to get away from Charleston. The south end of Myrtle Beach is very nice, but I wouldn't go much further north than Murrell's Inlet or you're going to get into a lot of congestion. Litchfield and Pawley's are ideal.

Yes, we all stay in one house.

How many bedrooms do you like to have. How many double up?

Check out Folly beach! It's very long and has so many restaurants along the shore! Isle of Palm beach is also super neet.

Our family grew up going to Ocean Isle Beach which has grown up a good bit by now but-- several years ago we rented an ocean front place for our 11 people. Here is an example.
Ocean Isle Beach Oceanfront Duplex | Valentine's Get Away: 430 East Second Street Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469 | Cooke Realty