Refrigerated Trailer for Rent in Kiawah Island, SC

From celebrated golf courses to unspoiled beaches, these destinations have it all.

South Carolina is often referred to as the Palmetto State, so named for the abundance of the trees in the area, but it could just as easily be dubbed the Barrier Island State. With 34 barrier and tidal islands peppering its shoreline (more than any other state except for Florida), South Carolina spills over with natural wonders, beautiful beaches, and unique destinations to explore. In our 2024 South's Best awards, readers voted on some of the very best of them. Here are the best islands in South Carolina, according to our readers.

The South's Best 2024

01 of 10

Hilton Head Island

With 12 miles of public beaches, more than 24 championship golf courses, and around 250 restaurants, Hilton Head's numerical stats alone prove why it's one of the state's most beloved islands. But the real magic, of course, belongs to its community—a mix of transplants and born-and-breds who are sure to make you feel right at home, whether you're sampling local oysters at Hudson's on the Docks or watching the boats come in at Shelter Cove Marina.

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02 of 10

Isle of Palms

There’s nothing sleepy about this mile-wide destination just a short drive from downtown Charleston, where the activity and restaurant offerings belie its small size. Catch a concert at beachfront venue The Windjammer, play golf or tennis at nearby resort Wild Dunes (where you can book a stay in one of the property’s two inns or numerous vacation rentals), or shake out your towel on a sliver of the island’s six miles of sandy beaches for a leisurely day in the sun.

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03 of 10

Kiawah Island

While much of this tree-shaded barrier island is accessible only to those staying at Kiawah Island Golf Resort (either at The Sanctuary hotel or in one of their many rental properties), Beachwalker Park on the island’s west end is home to one of the state’s most beautiful beaches. Here, you’ll find both ocean-fronting shoreline and river views and can rent chairs and umbrellas for a no-fuss beach day. On your way, pick up deli sandwiches from The Station, an old-school convenience store in Freshfields Village, for an easy picnic.

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04 of 10

Edisto Island

This sea island about an hour’s drive from Charleston feels like a throwback in all the best ways. You won’t find high-rise hotels here, and the wildest nights are Tuesdays and Thursdays from the end of May through the beginning of August when the Edisto Island Lions Club hosts bingo (no booze allowed). For seasonally driven fare made with locally sourced ingredients, settle in for a meal at Ella and Ollie's (pictured above). The area’s crowning jewel is Botany Bay, a 4,600-acre nature preserve with nearly three miles of unspoiled shoreline, where erosion has left dead trees in its wake, resulting in a beautiful, otherworldly span referred to as the “boneyard beach.”

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05 of 10

Sullivan’s Island

Just two-and-a-half miles long, Sullivan’s is a secret that Charleston locals are keen to keep. First settled in the late 17th century, the island can claim an embarrassment of riches when it comes to both historical significance and natural beauty. The wide beaches are pristine, and there’s nary a trace of touristy kitsch on Middle Street, the town’s main drag—just a handful of memorable eateries (we’re partial to The Obstinate Daughter’s house-made pastas) and well-curated shops (visit Sandpiper Gallery to peruse the work of local artists). The bitty beach town is big on curb appeal too: thoughtfully maintained historic homes and storybook cottages with flower-swamped trellises line the streets that crawl toward the beach.

06 of 10

Folly Island

About a dozen miles from downtown Charleston, this 12-square-mile barrier island is best known for being home to Folly Beach, a laid-back surf town that departs from the Holy City’s tucked-in approach in favor of flip-flop casual. With the Folly River on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other, there’s no shortage of opportunities for waterfront fun: Paddle through tidal creeks with a local outfitter, stretch out on the sand (there are six miles of beachfront here), or cast a line from the historic Folly Beach Pier, which recently reopened after extensive renovations.

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07 of 10

Hunting Island

Just a 25-minute drive from downtown Beaufort, explore the seaside charmer's wilder side at Hunting Island State Park (South Carolina's most popular state park). Here, five miles of unspoiled beaches unfurl along the Atlantic and sandy trails wind through dense maritime forest.

08 of 10

Daufuskie Island

As the crow flies, the southernmost of South Carolina’s barrier islands is just miles from Savannah and Hilton Head, but it might as well be worlds away. Daufuskie is accessible only by boat (the official ferry offers four shuttles from Bluffton a day, five on Fridays), which is likely one of the reasons its 500 or so residents have been able to so carefully preserve its natural environment and its rich Gullah history. And while the island remains untouched in many ways, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to see or do here: Tour the island with sixth-generation Daufuskie native Sallie Ann Robinson for an education in Gullah culture; go for a horseback ride on the beach; shop indigo-dyed goods at Daufuskie Blues; and cap off the day with a plate of deviled crab at Old Daufuskie Crab Company.

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09 of 10

Fripp Island

About 20 miles from Beaufort, Fripp Island is a 3,000-acre designated wildlife sanctuary, home to more than 175 species of birds, plus endangered loggerhead turtles who use its beach as a nesting ground. The private island is accessible only to homeowners and those staying in vacation rentals, but once you're here, there's plenty to do, from guided kayak eco-tours to pickleball and golf.

Right next door to Kiawah Island, Seabrook has stunning saltmarsh vistas and celebrated golf courses, along with a full-service equestrian center that offers guided horseback rides. Its nearly four miles of beaches are private, accessible only to residents and those renting, though Bohicket Marina (just before the property’s gates) welcomes anyone and everyone to enjoy its river views. Snag a table on the upper deck of Salty Dog Cafe to tuck into fresh seafood with one of the area’s most memorable sunsets.

After almost two decades of legal wrangling over development plans, the state of South Carolina now has an offer on the table to ensure that Captain Sams Spit, the southernmost mile of Kiawah Island and one of South Carolina’s few pristine beaches accessible by car, is owned by all of us, as it should be. It’s important for state and local leaders and conservation players to cooperate and seize this moment to forever protect this remarkable place.

As The Post and Courier’s Toby Cox recently reported, Kiawah Partners, which owns the spit and has been trying to develop it without success, has offered to sell the property and the adjacent Beachwalker Park to the state for $40 million.

We do not underestimate the challenge in pulling off this purchase, not only because of the sizable price tag but also because any such sale should involve a lot of partners, as it would benefit not only the state but also Charleston County and the towns of Kiawah and Seabrook and all who value conservation and protecting wildlife habitat. Ideally, all those governments as well as private philanthropy would contribute toward the purchase price so no one entity bears too big a burden. Indeed, it would be inappropriate for the state to cover the entire cost of a purchase.

But the difficulty of putting together a consortium of purchasers should not provide an excuse for our leaders to reject the offer.

The owners long have argued that by enforcing its 1988 Beachfront Management Act, the state has rendered their property undevelopable and, under U.S. Supreme Court precedent from a 1992 S.C. case challenging that law, owes them compensation. That ignores the fact that the town of Kiawah Island has made substantial concessions to the partners, which own additional property in the town; some would argue these concessions, which have included zoning and land development changes to benefit the partners, effectively constitute compensation for the spit and would mean the state has not in fact taken the property without compensation.

That’s one of many reasons a court victory by the owners is no sure thing. What is a sure thing is that without a deal, the legal fighting will continue to waste state resources and our time. A deal would put an end to the costly legal wrangling, which benefits no one.

What would benefit everyone is for government leaders and the conservation community to engage in meaningful negotiations that put everything on the scale in search of a deal, recognizing that any such agreement is unlikely to satisfy either side.

One of the biggest challenges could be determining who ultimately would own and regulate the property. The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission still has 51 years left on its 99-year lease for Beachwalker Park, and it’s possible a discussion about that could become contentious in its own right, as government seeks to strike the right balance between public accessibility, which can involve boardwalks, restrooms and other structures, and protecting the landscape, which would involve leaving the land in as natural a state as possible.

The southern end of Kiawah is one of our state's few remaining pristine, publicly accessible sandy beaches (the others being Hunting Island and Huntington Beach state parks), and it should be in public hands. The environmental community has done important work in fighting misguided efforts to develop the spit, but it's time to take a new approach. We need more, not less, access to our limited beaches.

It will take leadership to bring all players to the table to secure the long-term future of Kiawah Island's southern end, but we should expect no less.

KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - The Town of Kiawah is continuing its fight to protect Captain Sams Spit, a sandy inlet that’s stirred a legal battle over development rights for years.

Officials became aware that Kiawah Partners, the owners of the land in question, have now offered to sell the land to the state. An agreement between Kiawah Partners and the town recently expired, prompting the town to look for options to keep the land untouched.

Kiawah Town Council discussed what action to take in the executive session this week after they got word of the possible sale. Council members authorized their legal counsel to send a note to South Carolina Attorney General Emory Smith regarding Captain Sams Spit.

Executive Director of the South Carolina Environmental Law Project Amy Armstrong explained that it’s unknown what state ownership would mean.

“The state hasn’t said what it would do, who would actually hold it, or what they would do with it,” Armstrong said. “It’s not necessarily assured that just because the state buys it that it’s going to stay exactly how it is today.”

The letter includes three attachments, one of which is the town’s demand letter to Kiawah Development Partners, dated Jan. 8, 2024, and it lays out obligations that were outlined in the contract between the town and developer that recently expired, that the developer did not fulfill.

One concern is that money will be wasted if the state agrees to purchase the land because Kiawah Partners should have already placed a conservation easement on the Spit, recorded a no-development covenant, and conveyed portions of the spit to the island’s Home Owners Association.

“The public doesn’t see why public funds need to be added to the cost of locking down what was supposed to be locked down by an agreement,” Kiawah property owner and land development lawyer Tim Hazel said. “So, in our opinion, it seems that we’re looking at potentially a waste of public funds to get to the point where we should be anyway.”

Kiawah town officials said in part, “The Town of Kiawah Island has a duty to ensure the developer honors its obligations under the development agreement.”

Island property owner and land development lawyer Tim Hazel said while this back-and-forth battle is extremely frustrating, he’s glad that the town is on the same side of this as residents.

Hazel said while this back-and-forth battle is extremely frustrating, he’s glad that the town is on the same side of this as residents.

“It’s funny because we’re not aligned on some of the issues involving development on Kiawah Island but this issue in particular, I think to the credit of the town council and the mayor, there is an effort to enforce what the town had negotiated in 2013,” Hazel said.

Armstrong said it’s encouraging that permanent protection for Sams Spit is potentially closer, but she’s keeping a cautious eye out for what comes next.

“If the community association owns part of the land and then there’s a conservation easement on the other part that the Kiawah conservancy holds, then that assurance that there’s not going to development out there and that would be a favorable outcome,” Armstrong said.

Kiawah councilmember Brad Belt said he could not comment on pending legal issues, but that “As has been noted at public meetings, the Town’s goal is to both preserve the access the public currently has to Beachwalker Park and the beach areas of the Spit and to protect the highlands area of the Spit, which is critical habitat for bobcats, nesting sea turtles and migrating shorebirds, from any development.”

Kiawah Partners declined a request for comment.

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Find the perfect stay for the South Carolina beach trip of your dreams.

South Carolina’s coastal towns are not only full of charm, they offer beaches and hotels to suit every type of traveler. From bustling Myrtle Beach with its shops, restaurants, and attractions for all ages, to peaceful and pristine spots like Pawley’s Island, you can plan a beach trip here that’s just your speed.

Finding the right hotel is key, especially if you’re looking for activities and amenities beyond having the ocean steps away from your door. South Carolina is home to lavish resorts (and even a private resort island) that offer championship golf courses, spas, and just about every customized experience you could ask for, from falconry lessons to kayak trips. If you’re looking for something more simple, we have suggestions for old-fashioned beach bungalows and hotels for a fun and nostalgic beach trip. And for those traveling with kids, there are family-friendly resorts and hotels aplenty—one even has two waterparks.

One thing all of these stays have in common is that you’ll be located right on the beach. So whatever you choose, you really can't go wrong!

Surfside Beach: Surfside Hotel

Located on the “Grand Strand” between Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island, Surfside Hotel is a laid-back stay that will remind you of the simple beach vacations of your childhood. This property isn’t packed with luxurious amenities, but it has everything you need for a fun and relaxing stay. There’s a pool and a hot tub, rooms and suites with ocean views, and private beach access. Plus, you can head right next door to Scotty’s Beach Bar for tropical cocktails (and lunch and dinner) on an outdoor patio.

surfsideoceanfronthotel.com; 15 South Ocean Boulevard, Surfside Beach, SC; 843-238-4444

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Folly Beach: Tides Folly Beach

If you’re looking for a laid-back beach trip that only requires you to pack one pair of flip flops, Folly Beach fits the bill. And Tides Folly Beach is a comfortable and convenient place to rest your head while you’re there. Each room has an ocean view and either a private balcony or patio. There’s a heated oceanfront pool, a tiki bar, and pets are welcome. When you’re ready for a break from the beach, the hotel is within easy walking distance of plenty of shops and restaurants.

tidesfollybeach.com; 1 Center Street, Folly Beach, SC; 843-588-6464

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Isle of Palms: Wild Dunes Resort

Whether you’re traveling with a group or just the two of you, Wild Dunes is a massive resort complex on the Isle of Palms that offers just about every type of accommodations you could imagine, plus amenities including multiple pools (for kids and adults), a spa, and two Tom Fazio-designed golf courses. Sweetgrass Inn, the resort’s newest addition, offers beachfront rooms and suites, as does The Boardwalk Inn. Or, for more privacy, rent a vacation home or condo within the property.

destinationhotels.com/wild-dunes; 5757 Palm Blvd, Isle of Palms, SC; 866-359-5593

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Myrtle Beach: Marina Inn at Grande Dunes

A stay at Marina Inn at Grande Dunes comes with private beach access, but that’s just one of many perks that this hotel offers its guests. Enjoy spacious indoor and outdoor pools, the Hibiscus Spa, on-site dining options, a fitness center, and more. The hotel provides guests with beach umbrellas, chairs, and towels. The location is great, too. The Marina Inn is right near The Marina Parkway trails for walking and running, Myrtle Beach Water Sports where you can rent jet skis and pontoon boats, and the 18-hole Grande Dunes Resort Course.

marinainnatgrandedunes.com/beachclub; 8121 Amalfi Place, Myrtle Beach, SC; 843-913-1333

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Myrtle Beach: Dunes Village Resort

If the words “lazy river” make you instantly feel relaxed, head to Dunes Village Resort. The property, which bills itself as “Myrtle Beach's favorite waterpark resort,” has two indoor water parks with slides, whirlpools, fountains, and swimming pools for everyone. There are four on-site dining options, a fitness center, and plenty of activities for kids. And, of course, the beach is just outside the hotel’s doors, once you’ve had your fill of waterslides.

dunesvillage.com; 5200 North Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC; 855-340-7301

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Hilton Head Island: Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort

This beautiful Hilton Head property offers the perks of a resort, with all the comforts of home (and more). Three miles of sweeping ocean views offer plenty of room to spread out and soak in the sun. And with multiple restaurants, a full-service marina, two lakes, a lagoon, a tennis center, and three golf courses, you can be as busy or as relaxed as you’d like at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort. Choose from a villa, condo, or house rental—many come with their own pools. All the lodging options offer more privacy and space than a hotel, making them ideal for families or groups.

palmettodunes.com; 4 Queens Folly Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC

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Hilton Head Island: Omni Hilton Head

This family-friendly hotel is ideal for travelers who like to stay active. Choose from 25 tennis courts, three pools (one is adults-only), volleyball, kayaking, canoeing, and access to Palmetto Dune’s 54-hole golf course. And that’s not even counting the beautiful white sand beaches. If you do find that you need a little downtime, the on-site spa offers massages, facials, body treatments, and more. With the Omni’s six dining options, you’ve got everything you need for an unforgettable vacation under one roof.

omnihotels.com/hiltonhead; 23 Ocean Lane, Hilton Head, SC; 843-842-8000

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Hilton Head Island: Disney Hilton Head Resort

You probably don’t associate South Carolina with Disney, but the famed company actually has a resort in Hilton Head that’s as family-friendly as the theme parks themselves. Situated on 12 miles of beach, the property is inspired by a “1940s hunting and fishing lodge.” Kids will love the enormous pool with a waterslide, old timey general store, and dolphin-watching boat tours. Grown-ups will appreciate the cozy Live Oak Lodge, golf course, and fitness center. Rooms have views of the woodlands or the ocean, and range from studios to two-bedroom villas.

hiltonhead.disney.go.com; 22 Harbourside Lane, Hilton Head, SC; 843-341-4100

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Pawley’s Island: Sea View Inn

This old-school, family-run stay calls itself “a barefoot paradise since 1937.” The Sea View Inn isn’t as fancy as other lodging options along the South Carolina coast, but it is a special one. With just 20 rooms, Lowcountry cooking (breakfast and dinner is included for guests), and the beach just steps away, this is the kind of place where you can really get away from it all.

Choose from three types of rooms: oceanside, oceanfront, or cottage rooms. With quilts on the beds and wooden floors and walls, rooms at this inn are like stepping back in time in the best way.

seaviewinn.net; 414 Myrtle Avenue, Pawleys Island, SC; 843-237-4253

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Kiawah Island: The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort

Open since 2004, this grand four-story hotel is a luxurious getaway. Obviously, golf is a major draw here—there are five beautiful championship courses on the property—but that’s not all this resort has to offer. Get pampered at The Spa at The Sanctuary, explore nature with a guided kayak tour, take a swim in one of two pools (one is reserved for adults only), or stroll the pristine coastline. There are three restaurants–a steakhouse, a Lowcountry-inspired restaurant, and a poolside grill–plus a cafe, ice cream shop, and bar.

There are four ways to stay here: The Sanctuary Hotel (with 255 rooms), private villas and homes, and the Cottages at the Ocean Course. Each option is decorated in Lowcountry coastal style and furnished with everything you could ever need. (And if not, a concierge is never far away.)

kiawahresort.com; One Sanctuary Beach Drive, Kiawah Island, SC; 800-654-2924

KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - Residents on Kiawah Island are keeping a close eye on presented plans to fix an issue they say they had to point out in the first place. The issue is not enough parking for a development currently being built called “The Cape.”

The developers recently submitted a site development revision for “Cape Point parking and emergency access,” but it’s intended to address only part of the parking deficiency, as they have yet to submit revised plans for the rest of the parking issues. This follows the town and planning director telling them they must do so, only after residents discovered the original plans were approved with a significant lack of parking.

Residents fear the lack of transparency of the plans will continue.

“We’re worried as a community that the planning director will overlook once again, so the community has gotten involved, and we are watching very closely,” Kiawah property owner and land development lawyer Tim Hazel said.

The community feels like they aren’t involved enough in what gets approved and says decisions are made behind closed doors by the planning director alone, and not with the commission as a whole.

Town of Kiawah Planning Director John Taylor Jr. explained the approval process is straightforward.

“Developers will submit plans to the town, we will review those plans and issue comments and work back and forth until the developer addresses the comments and once that is addressed, we will be able to issue approval,” Taylor said.

Hazel said he’s never experienced the doors being open for developers but closed to the community.

“There’s a general sense that the mayor and council want nothing to do with discussions as to community input, the developer isn’t doing a very good job of including the community’s input on these plans so it’s very frustrating,” Hazel said.

Taylor said they have heard from the community throughout this process and have received “tons of emails.”

“The town has responded and listened in,” he said. “We’ve brought in a third-party engineer to review Beachwalker projects which I thought was a positive and a request by the planning staff to do that just to give the community comfortability in our review standards and processes.”

It was told that the town council may be considering changes to the development review process at their next meeting.

Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.