Do’s and Don'ts of Charleston Beaches

With our coastal location, there are a lot of options for beachgoers in the Lowcountry. Whether you’re popping by Folly via boat or driving over the connector to get to the Isle of Palms, each beach has its own set of rules. In order to help you stay safe and out of trouble, we put together a basic list of rules for you:

Folly Beach

Alcohol
No possession or consumption of alcohol allowed on beach
Dogs
Dogs are not allowed on the beach from 10 am to 6 pm from May 1st to Sept 30th, all other times they must be on a leash
Dogs are prohibited on the pier at all times
Surfing:
May 15th to Sept 15th- surfing is prohibited from 10 am to 6 pm from 2nd Street East to 3rd Street West
Sept 16th to May 14th- surfing is allowed in any area
Surfing is prohibited 200 feet from the pier
Watercrafts
Can be stowed on beachfront for 12 hours without a permit
All watercrafts must be removed from the beach if winds or tides are expected
Sand Dunes
Stay off the dunes! Use public walkovers to access the beach
No glass, plastic, balloons, or Styrofoam are allowed on the beach
No open fires or fireworks allowed at any time
No littering

For more information click here.

Sullivan’s Island

Alcohol
No possession or consumption of alcohol allowed on the beach
Zero tolerance for any alcoholic beverages on sidewalks, boardwalks, streets and beaches. Fines of $40 can be issued for each open container.
Dogs
Dogs are allowed on the beach, but must have a valid Sullivan’s Island permit
[insert link to Sullivan’s Island Permit process]
Leash Hours
Summer months: From May 1- Sept 30th
No Dogs allowed from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Dogs must be on a leash from 6:00 PM to 5:00 AM
Dogs can be off-leash from 5:00 AM to 10:00 AM,
Winter months: From October 1st to April 30th:
Dogs can be off-leash from 5:00 AM until noon
Dogs must be on a leash from noon until 5:00 AM
No open fires or fireworks allowed at any time
Sullivan’s has no facilities on their beach (changing rooms, showers, restrooms)
No littering