South Carolina’s Hammock Coast features miles of beautiful, pristine beaches across southern Garden City, Murrells Inlet, Huntington Beach State Park, Litchfield, Pawleys Island and DeBordieu Colony. Repeatedly ranked among the nation’s best by venerable platforms like Southern Living, Condé Nast Traveler, Tripadvisor, and USA Today/10Best, these shorelines offer a truly relaxing beach getaway. You’ll love our unspoiled coastline that are void of the crowds and chaos of so many other beach destinations. Even during peak summer months, you’ll always find a peaceful, uncrowded beach on the Hammock Coast.
Every stretch of sand along our coast has a distinct personality and ways to enjoy it. Fish, collect seashells, surf, body surf, build sandcastles with the kids, or simply pick a spot in the sand to relax. The best part is that most of our accommodations, including private vacation rental homes and historic bed & breakfasts, are just steps from the sand, so you can easily enjoy the shoreline your way.
To ensure a safe, relaxing experience for everyone, visitors are asked to observe local guidelines designed to protect our pristine environment and wildlife. Click the drop-down below to review the essential rules for our shorelines before you head out to the sand.
Litter: No littering. Depositing refuse on the beach or in the water is unlawful.
Alcohol & Glass: No alcohol or glass containers are permitted on the beach.
Vehicles: Motorized vehicles are strictly prohibited on the beaches and dunes.
Obstructions: No obstruction of free access is allowed. No personal property is permitted within 25 feet of any emergency beach access.
Overnight Gear: No tents, cabanas, or other items may be left overnight. Items left past dusk will be considered abandoned and may be removed.
Loitering: No loitering on designated beach accesses.
Pets: Dogs must be leashed from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dogs that are not leashed during other hours must be under strict voice control, and owners must be able to demonstrate voice control to a law enforcement officer, if asked. But, for your pet’s safety, it’s always a good idea to keep them leashed at all times. Remember you’re all in an unfamiliar environment, and your furry friends can become overly stimulated and confused.
Horses: No horses are allowed on the beach from March 1 to October 31.
Safety & Conduct: Public nudity and sleeping on the beach from midnight to sunrise are prohibited. Fishing that creates unsafe conditions is unlawful.
Beach Fires: Fires are allowed in unincorporated areas, though some specific communities restrict open burning. In the unincorporated areas of Georgetown County, visitors must follow these strict fire guidelines:
With its quiet Lowcountry charm, Litchfield Beach is widely recognized as one of the most stunning beaches in the region. It offers a peaceful atmosphere that feels worlds away from the noise of the modern world, yet sits just minutes from local shopping and dining.
The Litchfield area is also a dream destination for golfers, featuring courses included on the Hammock Coast Golf Trail. Just minutes from the ocean, visitors can tee off at the historic Litchfield Country Club, River Club, Tradition Club, or the beautiful Willbrook Plantation golf courses.
Just north of Litchfield, Huntington Beach State Park is a coastal world of its own. As one of the most unique beaches in South Carolina, this state park offers three miles of completely undeveloped, natural coastline. It is highly celebrated for its wide stretches of sand, exceptional birdwatching, diverse wildlife, and nearby landmarks like the historic Atalaya Castle. While there are no commercial hotels directly on the park’s protected grounds, an exceptional campground offers rest and relaxation under the stars.
Park Hours: Open daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (extended to 10 p.m. during Daylight Saving Time).
Admission: Park admission is $8/adult; $5/ S.C. Senior; $4/youth age 6-15; free for children 5 and younger.
Alcohol: Strictly prohibited on all state park grounds.
Pets: Dogs are allowed on the south end of the beach but must remain on a leash at all times. They are not permitted on the north beach or inside the Atalaya castle grounds. Please clean up after your pet.
Wildlife: Do not feed, harass, or approach any wildlife.
As one of America’s oldest and most appealing summer resort communities on the East Coast, Pawleys Island is a secluded, historic barrier island known for its leisurely, slow-paced lifestyle. Because of the island’s unique, narrow geography, the beautiful beachfront vacation rentals often boast rare dual views—showcasing the Atlantic Ocean to the east and serene salt marsh creek to the west. It’s a special kind of paradise where generational families return year after year to gather, relax, and reconnect.
This stunning landscape carries over to the mainland portion of Pawleys Island, which is home to five award-winning golf courses on the Hammock Coast Golf Trail. The courses are framed by sweeping marshfront views, winding creeks, and ancient live oaks draped in Spanish moss.
Lifeguards: No lifeguards are on duty; swim at your own risk.
Pets: All dogs must be on a leash from May 1 through September 30 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Please pick up after your pets.
Overnight Gear: No tents or umbrellas can be left overnight. Camping or overnight sleeping on the beach is prohibited.
Conduct: No soliciting or vending is permitted on the strand. No man-made holes can be left unfilled. No fireworks are allowed.
Fires: Open flames and free-standing barbecues are prohibited. However, you may obtain a permit at Town Hall for a beach fire pit under strict conditions: charcoal fires only, contained within a dug sand hole.
Located just north of Georgetown, DeBordieu Colony is a private, upscale gated community that offers an extraordinarily coastal lifestyle. While day access to the community is restricted to the general public, visitors can experience this stunning, quiet slice of paradise by booking one of the luxury vacation rentals within the Colony, granting access to a beautiful, peaceful beach.
The southern tip of Garden City is one of the most unique stretches of sand along the Hammock Coast. Situated on a narrow peninsula, this distinct area offers a dual-water perspective you won’t find anywhere else—boasting peaceful views of Murrells Inlet to the west and the vast Atlantic Ocean to the east. It is a fantastic, family-friendly beach zone that balances a quiet neighborhood with easy access to local dining and attractions.
From historic Pawleys Island to peaceful Garden City, the Hammock Coast offers an authentic beach experience that simply can’t be replicated on more commercialized, crowded shores. If you’re ready to find true relaxation, it is time to start planning your next generation of vacation memories.
To help you prepare for the ultimate coastal getaway, we’ve gathered answers to the most frequently asked questions.
No, public beach access along our coastal towns and islands is completely free! The only exceptions are Huntington Beach State Park, which requires a standard park admission fee per person to enter the state park grounds.
Absolutely! The beaches of the Hammock Coast — especially the southern points of Pawleys Island and the natural shores of Huntington Beach State Park — are famous for shelling. Look along the low-tide lines for scotch bonnets, whelks, olives, fossilized shark teeth, and the “Pawleys Shell,” which will bring you good luck if found.
Yes. The state of South Carolina requires a saltwater recreational fishing license for shore, surf, and wading recreational fishing. You can easily purchase a temporary or annual license online through the SC Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR).
During the peak summer months (June through August), ocean water temperatures along the Hammock Coast are comfortable, typically ranging from the upper 70s (°F) to low 80s (°F).
