In Charleston SC there are a variety of watersports you can choose from such as surfing, sailing, kiteboarding, windsurfing, paddle boarding, kayaking, fishing, boating and jet skiing, wakeboarding, waterskiing, etc.

• The most popular surf spot is definitely The Washout on Folly Beach SC, where you can find decent waves on some days.
• The Folly Beach Surf Cam is a great way to check the current surf conditions.
• Click this link for the surf report- http://www.swellinfo.com/surf-forecast/folly-beach-south-carolina.
•  Occasionally there are a few spots on Sullivans Island Public Beach and Isle of Palms SC where you can surf, but those beaches are much more ideal for kiteboarding and windsurfing.

• Go to 281/2 station on Sullivan’s Island on a windy day for a great place to watch hot babes boost up in the air with kites and windsurfing sails.
• Beware of strong rip currents, especially in or around Breaches Inlet, which is between Isle of Palms SC and Sullivan’s Island Public Beach.  Many people have drowned there!

Click on the name of each beach to find links to a few companies that offer a variety of activities, tours, and rentals.

Kayaking Charleston SC & Paddle Boarding Charleston:

1. Charleston SUP Safaris
2. Charleston Outdoor Adventures
3. Charleston Paddler

• There are so many places that are great to go paddle boarding and kayaking all over the Charleston area.   If you’re looking for a place to go barhopping while cruising, I recommend Shem Creek.
•  Otherwise, you can cruise any of the water ways, or even bring the boards to the beach and try to catch some waves.
• Be careful!  There are lots of crazy currents, tides, and riptides all over the place, make sure it’s safe where you plan to go.

Jet Ski RentalS & Boat Rides in Charleston SC

• • Yacht Rental Charleston SC
  • Booze Cruise Charleston SC
  • Fishing Charters
  • Sailing Excursions
  • Sunset Cruises + Dolphin Sighting

Isle of Palms SC:

• • http://www.tidalwavewatersports.com/
  • http://coastalexpeditions.com/

Sullivans Island SC:

• • http://www.coastalexpeditions.com/index.php?page=rentals
  • http://sealandsports.com/

Folly Beach SC:

• • http://www.charlestonoutdooradventures.com/
  • http://www.follybeach.com/kayaking.php
  • http://www.charlestonsurflessons.com/
  • http://www.fbwatersports.com/4kiteboardingcharleston.html

On a good day, you should be able to get to any of these beaches from downtown within 20-30 minutes. However, in the peak summer months you can expect a 20 to 40-minute delay due to heavy beach traffic if you go at peak times which is usually between 10 am - 2 pm.

In recent years the law has changed and it’s no longer legal to drink on any of the Charleston beaches.  Officers patrol up and down the beach all day.

• If you decide to bring alcohol anyway (which many people do,) be discreet! Never have an open beer can or bottle of liquor in view.
• Your alcoholic drink needs to be in either a solo cup- or more ideally a reusable insulated cup or canteen like a Yeti cup or a hydro-flask.
• Getting an open container ticket makes a beach day a little less sunny, and you can be fined up to $1,090.00
• Also, don’t forget that liquor stores are closed on Sundays in Charleston, which means you can only purchase beer or wine, so be sure to stock up on Saturdays (before 7:00 pm!)

All beaches have free street parking in some areas- but be sure to read the parking signs because some areas only allow parking for residents, while others have limited time slots.

• You may even have to pay for parking like one section of Folly called “The Washout,”  in which you have to buy a parking ticket and display it in your car.
• Very important-  You’ll definitely get a ticket if all 4 wheels of your car aren’t completely off of the road, or if your car is facing the wrong direction, or blocking someone's driveway.
• Sullivans and Isle of Palms have free parking along the streets as well. If you want to avoid paying for parking where you have to park a few blocks down the street, away from the meters, and just walk.
• Roller coolers and beach wagons are a great idea.

You can only bring pets to certain Beaches at certain times of day, and they must be wearing a leash most of the time. You can get fined up to $1,000 for breaking these regulations, which are active between Memorial day, and September 30th:

• Folly Beach SC
  • Folly Beach is one of Charleston's more pet-friendly beaches. Dogs are allowed on the beach any time from October 1 to April 30. Between May 1 and September 30, dogs are not allowed on the beach from 10:00 am-6:00 pm. Dogs must be leashed at all times, no matter the time of year.
• Sullivan’s Island SC
  • ALL dogs must have a permit which you can pick up from town hall for $35, ($25 if you’re a local.)  Dogs are allowed on the beach and off leash from 5-10 am, and on a leash from 6 - 5 am. No dogs between those times.
• Isle of Palms SC
  • Pets are allowed but must be on a leash at all times, except between 5-8 am.
• For the most up-to-date info check this website, it's the best resource I could about pet laws on each beach:  https://www.bringfido.com/attraction/beaches/city/charleston_sc_us/

  • Dog Friendly Beaches in Charleston, SC

    There are 3 dog friendly beaches in Charleston. Use the links below to get an overview of each one, see pictures, print directions, and even read reviews from other dog owners. Coming from out of town? Get a discounted rate on pet friendly hotels in Charleston, SC, or call 877-411-FIDO to speak with one of our pet travel experts!

All three beaches have a variety of fun bars and restaurants to check out.  As stated before, Folly Beach would be my first choice for places to party, then Sullivan’s, then Isle of Palms. Click on each beach to find links to recommended spots.

• Isle of Palms
  • Windjammer http://www.the-windjammer.com/wp/
  • Banana Cabana http://www.thebananacabanasc.com/ordereze/default.aspx
  • Coconut Joe’s http://www.coconutjoes.biz/ordereze/default.aspx
• Sullivans Island
  • Hometeam BBQ http://www.hometeambbq.com
  • Poe’s Tavern  http://www.poestavern.com/
• Folly Beach
  • Taco Boy http://tacoboy.net
  • Loggerheads www.loggerheadsbg.com/
  • Surfbar http://surfbarfollybeach.com/
  • Snapper Jacks snapperjacks.net
  • Rita’s Surfside Bar and Grill
  • Blu Oceanfront http://www.blufollybeach.com/