Pawleys Island named among America’s Best Places to Live on the Coast

Pawleys Island named among America’s Best Places to Live on the Coast

Pawleys Island on South Carolina’s Hammock Coast® is beloved for its beautiful scenery and relaxed atmosphere.

It’s that family-friendly attitude that has helped the historic island a spot on Coastal Living Magazine’s Top 10 “Best Places to Live on the Coast.”

The article by Tracey Minkin states when it comes to beaches, local life, climate resilience, and straight-up beauty, the list compiled the best areas that cozy up to the water’s edge, from East Coast to West, the Great Lakes to the Gulf.

In the article’s description of Pawleys Island, with the heading, “The slow life in South Carolina,” Minkin says, “Pawleys Island is all about the water from crabbing to kayaking. Small and close-knit, the community turns out for town meetings, works to protect its heritage trees, and cherishes its non-commercial zeitgeist.”

It’s certainly not the first time Pawleys Island has earned accolades. In fact, USA Today/10 Best has named it the Best Beach in South Carolina two years in a row – in 2024 and 2025. Southern Living, Garden&Gun, Travel+Leisure and a host of other publications have all heaped praise on Pawleys Island.

Mayor Brian Henry said he was thrilled but not surprised that Pawleys Island made this prestigious list. He noted that Pawleys is the only South Carolina location listed.

“My wife, Sassy and I moved here 23 years ago from Atlanta and not one day goes by that we regret that decision,” he said. “It seems that the rest of the world has figured out that Pawleys Island is a fantastic place to live and work.”

Henry said Pawleys offers a laid-back lifestyle with all the comforts of life, including restaurants, shopping, grocery stores, and recreation nearby on the mainland.

Minkin also wrote about the beach on Pawleys, noting that the island has been named Best Beach in South Carolina by USA Today and that it has four miles of oceanfront beach with plenty of public access.

Henry said that Pawleys is also known for relaxing on creek docks, enjoying a spectacular sunset with a favorite beverage, or rocking on a breezy porch overlooking the ocean and enjoying a book.

As far as beauty goes, Minkin said, “Pawleys has been a restorative escape for visitors since the 18^th century, and that history is reflected in picturesque historic homes and cottages amid the natural splendor.”

Henry said he would also include picturesque sunrises and squadrons of pelicans flying in formation when talking about the beauty of Pawleys.

“Pawleys Island is a very small town with a national brand,” he said. “It is true to its roots, unpretentious, and great place to unwind.”

Other coastal communities listed in the article are Saugatuck, Michigan; Navarre and Navarre Beach, Florida; Old Saybrook, Connecticut; Lincoln City, Oregon; Fernandina Beach, Florida; Oak Island, North Carolina; St. Simons Island, Georgia; Carpinteria, California; and Greenport, New York.

Pawleys Island is one of six communities that make up South Carolina’s Hammock Coast. In addition to Pawleys Island, the Hammock Coast communities are: southern Garden City, Murrells Inlet, Litchfield Beach, Andrews, and historic Georgetown, South Carolina’s third oldest port and town.

Pawleys Island is one of America’s oldest and most appealing summer resort communities. Tracing its origins to the early 1700s, when rice planters first settled along the area’s nearby rivers, Pawleys Island is now a refuge for vacationers in search of a trip that provides relaxation, natural beauty and an escape from the frantic pace of modern life.

Reasons for the area’s appeal extend far beyond its highly ranked pristine beach, casual charm and laid-back vibe. Pawleys is home to an abundance of eco-activities, including crabbing, fishing and kayaking, and just across the causeway are some of Pawleys Island’s Best golf courses and an array of restaurants that are a foodies dream.

By Clayton Stairs / tourism manager for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce