3 Aug Incredible late summer activities on the Hammock Coast to do before the season ends Summer on South Carolina’s Hammock Coast® doesn’t end when the calendar says so. Some of the best late-summer activities of the summer can be found in August and September, when the ocean is still bath-warm and there’s a little more room to breathe on the sand. It’s the sweet spot locals quietly look forward to all year — all the sunshine and warm-water swimming of peak season, but with a slower, more-relaxed pace. Late summer on the Hammock Coast is truly a magical time. What are the best things to do on the Hammock Coast in late summer? Exploring the Charm of Late Summer on the Hammock Coast Late summer — roughly August into September — is one of the best times to visit the Hammock Coast. Ocean temperatures still hover around 80°F, the peak-season crowds thin out once schools return after Labor Day, but the charm of the Hammock Coast’s pristine beaches and local communities still remain. Don’t miss out on experiencing late summer on the Hammock Coast! Here are seven of the best things to do on the Hammock Coast in late summer, no matter what kind of traveler you are. The beach on Pawleys Island is lovely in late summer. (File photo) 1 – For Beach Lovers – Take Advantage of Beach Days Without Peak Crowds Here’s the secret locals know: some of the best beach days of the year happen after summer break ends. The ocean is still warm, parking is easier to find and you won’t need to stake out your spot quite so early. With miles of sandy shoreline along the Hammock Coast, on Pawleys Island, in Litchfield, North Litchfield, Huntington Beach State Park, and Garden City, there’s always room to spread out in late summer. Bring a chair, a good book and enjoy soaking up all the sunshine and warm-water swimming that make summer at the beach so special. 2 – For Couples – Take a Sunset Cruise Through Murrells Inlet As summer begins its slow fade into fall, the sunsets only get better. Book an evening cruise through Crazy Sister Marina or explore options through Express Watersports or Visit Murrells Inlet to experience the marsh at its most beautiful, with golden-hour views of wildlife, fishing boats and winding tidal creeks. Stick around afterward for waterfront dining, live music and a stroll along the famous MarshWalk. Enjoy a sunset cruise in Murrells Inlet, like this one that departs out of Crazy Sister Marina. (Photo courtesy of Crazy Sister Marina) 3 – For Adventure Seekers – Ride the Waves While the Water Is Still Warm One of the Hammock Coast’s best-kept secrets is that ocean temperatures stay surprisingly comfortable — hovering around 80°F — well into September. Book a jet ski adventure with Express Water Sports, soar above the coastline with Parasail Express, or captain your own mini speedboat through the inlet with SeaKart Adventure. Better yet, you’ll spend less time waiting and more time making memories as peak summer crowds begin to thin. 4 – For Culture Lovers – Spend a Day at Brookgreen Gardens When you need a break from the beach, Brookgreen Gardens offers a completely different side of the Hammock Coast. Founded in 1931 and spanning some 9,000 acres, it’s home to the largest collection of American figurative sculpture displayed outdoors anywhere in the world. Wander beneath centuries-old live oaks, explore beautiful Lowcountry landscapes and take in the artistry at your own pace. It’s peaceful, inspiring and especially enjoyable once peak-season crowds begin to thin. Brookgreen Gardens is a wonderful option year-round for people that enjoy nature and art. (Photo courtesy of Brookgreen Gardens) 5 – For Golfers – Book a Tee Time During Golf’s Sweet Spot Ask local golfers when they like to play, and many will point to late summer. Courses are still lush from the growing season, mornings are comfortable and many visitors have already headed home. With 11 premier courses making up the Hammock Coast Golf Trail, it’s easy to see why the area is known for some of the best courses in the country — and late summer is the perfect time to tee it up. The Hammock Coast Golf Trail features award-winning courses playing through moss-draped oaks and gently flowing tidal rivers. The trail includes Caledonia Golf and Fish Club, Founders Club, Litchfield Country Club, Pawleys Plantation, River Club, Tradition Club, True Blue Golf Club, and Willbrook Plantation Golf Club in Pawleys Island; and Blackmoor Golf Club, Tournament Players Club, and Wachesaw Plantation East in Murrells Inlet. The Hammock Coast Golf Trail will allow golfers to package the area’s best courses, restaurants and accommodations in one unforgettable trip. Experience fresh steamed oysters on the Murrells Inlet Marshwalk, like these at Drunken Jack’s. (Photo courtesy of Drunken Jack’s) 6 – For Foodies – Find Your Favorite Waterfront Seafood Spot Late summer and fresh seafood go hand in hand. Grab a table overlooking the water at Murrells Inlet Marshwalk restaurants like Wicked Tuna, Drunken Jack’s, or Dead Dog Saloon and settle in for an evening of local catches, coastal cocktails and sunset views. Other MarshWalk restaurants include The Claw House and Wahoo’s. Whether you’re dining along the MarshWalk or near the oceanfront, this is the season to slow down and savor it. 7 – For Beer Lovers – Discover Myrtle Beach’s Craft Beer Scene Warm evenings, live music and a cold local beer are a winning combination this time of year. Spend an afternoon brewery hopping across some of the area’s favorite taprooms: Pawleys Tap House and Grill and Qjuigley’s Pint & Plate, both in Pawleys Island. Choose from a wide variety of craft beers at Pawleys Tap House and Grill. (Photo courtesy of Pawleys Tap House and Grill) About the Hammock Coast South Carolina’s Hammock Coast is one of the Palmetto State’s top tourist destinations. Generations of visitors have made Georgetown County their preferred vacation spot. Buoyed by its large selection of vacation rental condos and homes and wide-open, pristine beaches, Hammock Coast beaches routinely make the best-of lists from various media outlets. In addition to the beaches, people are drawn to the Hammock Coast for its nature-centric pastimes such as fishing, boating, kayaking, birding and more. Historic sites, such as Hopsewee Plantation just south of historic Georgetown and Brookgreen Gardens and Atalaya Castle at Huntington Beach State Park in Murrells Inlet, are also popular must-do activities for visitors of all ages. The Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce operates two Visitor Centers — one at 531 Front St. in Georgetown and the other at 28 Wall St. in the Litchfield community of Pawleys Island and located just outside the gate access to the Litchfield By the Sea resort. By Clayton Stairs / tourism manager for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce and South Carolina’s Hammock Coast® 0 Hammock-All
