There is nothing quite like a summer vacation on Pawleys Island. It’s a memory-making escape when you while away long days relaxing on the coast. But there is no shortage of attractions to keep you busy during your Pawleys Island stay.
Seven Top Attractions for a Pawleys Island Vacation
First, our beaches top that list of attractions. On the south end of Pawleys Island, discover the largest free public beach access lot in Georgetown County. Eight beach access areas are located on the island, so pick a favorite and make it your own. Let VayK Gear set you up with beach chairs and umbrellas.
The Atlantic Ocean and inshore inlets are the Hammock Coast’s second biggest attractions. Book a fishing charter with Harvest Moon Fishing to enjoy a family-friendly day of fishing our local waters. Capt. R.C. Ferdon is a Pawleys Island fishing guide who specializes in reds, specks, flounder, tarpon, and more. He launches from Winyah Bay and will put you on the fish.
Take a Tours of Sandy Island guided trip to dive into the rich Gullah culture of the South Carolina coast. The two-and-a-half-hour tour starts at the Sandy Island boat landing on Pawleys Island. A boat ride takes participants to Sandy Island, where they board a bus to tour the island and visit some historic sites.
Nature lovers will enjoy a visit to Huntington Beach State Park, where the salt marshes meet the sweeping Grand Strand beach and jetties. Visitors find plenty to keep them busy with 2,500 acres, 300 species of birds spotted, and three miles of beach for swimming and fishing. The Nature Center is filled with exhibits displaying local birds and marine life, along with a touch tank with local marine life. Admission to the Park is $8 for adults/$4 for kids 6-15 and free for children 5 and under.
While at Huntington Beach, visit Atalaya Castle, a National Historic Landmark. The Castle, with an additional $2 admission fee, is a Moorish-style home in the park.
Step away from the beach and head to Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet. Peruse the Botanical Gardens, American Sculpture Garden, and Low Country Zoo, all set on a gorgeous 9,000 acres. Brookgreen also has miles of trails where over 2,000 species of life can be observed in their natural habitats.
Take a self-guided tour of the Pawley Island Historic District. Almost a dozen sites dating to the early and mid-1800s make up this district, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Many of the homes have been restored.
What did we miss? Do you have a favorite place to visit on a Pawleys Island vacation?