Information to South Carolina’s Hammock Coast

Whereas Charleston and Myrtle Seaside have the title recognition with regards to waterfront locations in South Carolina, they’re not the one locations you could find attractive seashores, recent seafood, and a typically laid-back environment. In actual fact, the world between the 2 coastal cities was deemed the “Hammock Coast” in 2010, harkening again to its relaxed nature and its historical past; a Nineteenth-century boat captain, Joshua John Ward, created what’s now referred to as the Pawleys Island Hammock, a snug rope hammock that’s nonetheless made within the space right this moment. 

The Hammock Coast is made up of six distinctive communities. Together with Pawleys Island, there’s Backyard Metropolis, Murrells Inlet, Litchfield, Georgetown, and Andrews. Although every has its personal attraction, all of them have one factor in frequent: waterfront views. “Understandably, most individuals face east towards the salt marsh and Atlantic Ocean once they come right here. That is nice—it is the seaside, in spite of everything. However what they do not all the time understand is that we have this huge, stunning, historic river system to the west,” says Hastings Hensel, proprietor of River Reader Kayaking. “The land right here is de facto only a skinny ribbon between two huge our bodies of water, and two very completely different (however equally stunning) ecosystems.”

Whether or not you’re venturing to this a part of the Palmetto State for the rivers or the ocean, right here’s how one can plan a visit to South Carolina’s Hammock Coast. 

Greatest Inns and Resorts

The Pelican Inn

“The Pelican Inn on Pawleys Island is a historic gem with entry to each tidal marsh and oceanfront views. It’s extraordinarily particular,” says Judith Puckett-Rinella, proprietor of Wicklow Hall, a boutique bed-and-breakfast in Georgetown. Open seasonally (Memorial Day Weekend by means of Labor Day), the eight-room property is housed in one of many barrier island’s authentic buildings; it dates again to the 1840s. The visitor rooms accommodate between two and 4 folks, and charges embrace a family-style breakfast and lunch for 2.

The George Resort

Opened in 2024, The George Hotel shortly grew to become one of many high locations to remain in Georgetown. “It has good design, an impressive restaurant in The Independent, and an ideal location proper on the water,” says Puckett-Rinella. Every of the 56 rooms is decked out in gorgeous colours, patterns, and all the fashionable facilities you can want, together with Malin + Goetz tub merchandise, cozy robes, and a espresso and tea station.

Sea View Inn

“The Sea View Inn is one thing proper out of a dream. It is basic Pawleys Island—a clapboard salt-worn inn with a seaside porch for dawn and a marsh dock for sundown,” says Hensel. “You may spend all morning within the sand and waves earlier than they ring a bell for his or her family-style lunch, and then you definately retreat to your room for a field fan nap, solely to get up in time for a day stroll earlier than a breezy BYOB blissful hour.” The property additionally comes really useful by Bruce and Corinne Taylor, house owners of the neighboring Pelican Inn.

Cities to Go to

Backyard Metropolis

Technically, solely the southern portion of Backyard Metropolis is a part of the Hammock Coast. Right here, you’ll discover trip leases, seaside entry, Marlin Quay (a full-service marina), and the Gulf Stream Cafe. The latter is an establishment within the space, serving up shrimp, oysters, and a each day native catch. 

Murrells Inlet

“Murrells Inlet has all the time been referred to as a bit of, close-knit fishing city. As many surrounding areas proceed to develop and develop, the inlet has developed whereas sustaining its distinctive, small-town, Southern allure,” says Katelin Lindrose, advertising director at Crazy Sister Marina. “The Murrells Inlet salt marsh is without doubt one of the few true salt marshes on the jap seaboard,” provides Hensel. “That’s, no freshwater rivers empty into it—the marsh is completely fed by the ocean—so the salinity is excessive. This makes our oysters a few of the tastiest and our barstool views a few of the prettiest.” 

Murrells Inlet additionally claims the title of the “Seafood Capital of South Carolina,” so that you’ll undoubtedly need to enterprise to this a part of the coast for at the least one or two meals throughout your journey. 

Litchfield Seaside

South of Murrells Inlet is the group of Litchfield Seaside. Named certainly one of 2025’s best places to retire, it is a vacation spot that’s all about leisure—lounging on the seaside, {golfing}, taking a leisurely bike trip, or immersing your self within the pure great thing about Huntington Beach State Park, which sits on to the north. 

Pawleys Island

“What units Pawleys Island, the place we dwell and function The Pelican Inn, other than different elements of the Hammock Coast, is that it’s a quiet residential seaside that has tried arduous to take care of its long-time title of arrogantly shabby,” the Taylors share. “Life slows down whenever you cross the causeway onto the island.” The barrier island is about 4 miles lengthy and, for probably the most half, one home huge. The outlets and eating places generally related to Pawleys are literally positioned on the mainland, which is linked to the island by two causeways. 

Georgetown

“Georgetown is uniquely located immediately on the waterfront, and that entry is open to everybody,” says Puckett-Rinella. The third-oldest metropolis in South Carolina can also be house to the Gullah Museum, which highlights native Gullah tradition, and hosts the annual Georgetown Wooden Boat Show in October.

Andrews

The city of Andrews, South Carolina, is miles away from the ocean, but it surely attracts in kayakers and anglers as a consequence of its proximity to the Black River.

Issues to Do

Have a seaside day at Pawleys Island or Litchfield Seaside.

One in all Puckett-Rinella’s favourite actions is a “day journey to the white-sand seashores of Pawleys Island,” including that you simply “may even e-book a surf lesson with David from South End Adventures.” There are a number of public seaside entry factors on the island, however you’ll discover probably the most parking at the South End.

Get out on the water. 

“One factor guests shouldn’t overlook is the water. You should definitely work it into your plans, whether or not it’s a ship journey, an eco kayak tour, a guided fishing outing, or just a seaside day,” says Puckett-Rinella. “Nevertheless you select to expertise it, the water is the soul of this area. You’ll be grateful you made it a part of your journey.” Along with his firm, River Reader Kayaking, Hensel takes guests on historical past, sundown, and nature excursions alongside the Waccamaw River and thru the Murrells Inlet marsh. 

Loopy Sister Marina additionally presents dolphin-watching excursions, fishing charters, and sundown cruises, amongst different excursions. “When you’re there, it’s also possible to cease by any of the scrumptious eating places on the MarshWalk for lunch or dinner, get pleasure from some dwell music, and take within the breathtaking views,” says Lindrose.

Discover Huntington Seaside State Park and Brookgreen Gardens.

“Huntington Beach State Park is a favourite of mine. It’s a nature lover’s paradise the place you possibly can simply spend a day with the household. The park presents pristine seashores, a number of mountaineering trails, an opportunity to see the alligators alongside ‘Alligator Alley,’ and the chance to go to the historic and exquisite Atalaya Citadel,” says Lindrose. The park is canine pleasant, and admission is $8 for adults (plus an additional $2 to see the fortress).

The Taylors additionally advocate Brookgreen Gardens, describing it as a “stunning and academic respite.” The sculpture backyard and wildlife protect is only a few minutes from the state park, so you possibly can simply try each in the identical day.

Stroll alongside Georgetown’s historic Harborwalk.

“After dinner, there’s nothing higher than a stroll alongside the historic waterfront,” says Puckett-Rinella, referring to the Harborwalk in Georgetown. There are a number of entry factors to the 10-foot-wide, four-block-long boardwalk that sits between the harbor and Entrance Avenue, and it offers option to some fairly wonderful views of the Sampit River.

Greatest Purchasing

Georgetown

Entrance Avenue in Georgetown is house to a number of outlets that come really useful by locals. Puckett-Rinella favors Indigo Mercantile, noting that the shop “carries domestically sourced the whole lot, from artwork to specialty Carolina meals merchandise like grits, rice, honey, sizzling sauce, and even domestically made charcuterie packing containers.” “We additionally adore Wildflower & Whiskey Clothing Co., additionally on Entrance Avenue. It’s enjoyable and fashion-forward, with playful items and a welcoming employees,” she provides. The Taylors additionally recommend Sara & Beth Gifts and Rice Birds on Entrance Avenue. And for those who want a brand new seaside learn? Pop into Waterfront Books.

Pawleys Island

When you’re in a procuring temper, head to Hammock Outlets Village in Pawleys Island, the place you’ll uncover greater than 20 shops. Snag a Pawleys Island rope hammock at The Original Hammock Shop, a brand new pair of sandals at Pawleys Island Shoes, or a bottle of artisanal olive oil at Pawleys Island Olive Oil.

Greatest Eating places

Georgetown

“For dinner, 631 Frank’s on Front has a full of life, fashionable crowd. We particularly love that they welcome pets. Lots of our visitors staying in our cottages and cabins, that are canine pleasant, get pleasure from alfresco eating with their fur infants on Frank’s again deck proper on the water,” says Puckett-Rinella. Whereas 631 is the official title, locals fondly check with the restaurant as “Frank’s on Entrance,” a reference to the house owners’ eating places; Frank’s and Frank’s Outback are positioned on Pawleys Island.

“For lunch, we love Thomas Café in Georgetown. It has that small-town allure and delivers true native fare: fried inexperienced tomatoes, shrimp and grits, and candy tea on each desk. Their each day po’ boy, whether or not it is shrimp, oysters, or whiting, is all the time excellent,” says Puckett-Rinella.

Pawleys Island

“Our favourite eating places are Chive Blossom, Frank’s, and Bistro 217 in Pawleys,” the Taylors share. However for those who’re after an incredible burger, they’ve two can’t-miss spots: BisQit and the Pawleys Island Tavern (The PIT).

Murrells Inlet

“Because the space boasts a robust fishing tradition, now we have earned the title of the ‘Seafood Capital of South Carolina,’ so you will be sure you discover a few of the freshest seafood choices up and down the coast. The meals is scrumptious, the views from the outside eating areas can’t be beat, and the dwell music at most of the eating places actually creates that excellent coastal vibe,” says Lindrose. Though there are a handful to select from, begin your restaurant tour with The Claw House or Russell’s Seafood Grill.

Or, you possibly can comply with Hensel’s recommendation: “This is the transfer: Seize a espresso from Brown Fox in your option to Perry’s Bait & Tackle, the place you purchase a dip-net, some hen necks, a hand-line, and a six-pack. Catch some crabs within the salt marsh at Oyster Touchdown, then purchase a number of kilos of shrimp from Seven Seas Seafood to throw within the pot with them. Get your potatoes, corn, onion, and andouille sausage from Lee’s Farmers Market. Voila—you have obtained all you want for our best native dish, a Lowcountry Boil, with all of your substances bought from small, family-run companies.”

Greatest Time to Go to

“There really is not any dangerous time to go to the Hammock Coast, however I all the time encourage guests to verify us out through the spring and fall. Throughout that point of the 12 months, the climate is sort of all the time excellent because it is not too sizzling or chilly, the fish are biting, and the seashores are stunning,” says Lindrose. “It is a good time to hire a ship and discover, constitution a fishing journey, or get pleasure from a calming cruise earlier than the summer time crowds hit.” Whereas Hastings agrees with the suggestion to go to through the shoulder seasons, he additionally notes that winter is “underrated.” “It does not get so chilly that we will not get pleasure from being out on the water, and the entire place is a bit more relaxed with out the summer time crowds,” he says. 

When you do go to in the summertime—and you may deal with the South Carolina humidity—you’re in for a deal with. The Taylors share that together with the warmth and humidity comes “ocean breezes and recent seafood.”

Methods to Get There

Myrtle Seaside Worldwide Airport (MYR) is the closest airport to the cities alongside the Hammock Coast; it’s a few 20- or 30-minute drive to Backyard Metropolis and Murrells Inlet, respectively. MYR is served by most main U.S.-based airways, together with American, Delta, Southwest, and United. Flying into Charleston Worldwide Airport (CHS) can also be an choice; it’s about 75 miles from the Hammock Coast. There’s additionally the choice to journey to the area by boat, as there are a selection of docks and marinas in Georgetown and Murrells Inlet.

Methods to Get Round

A number of the Hammock Coast cities are walkable, just like the downtown areas of Georgetown and Pawleys Island, however, for probably the most half, you’ll need to drive or hire a automotive. When you’ve arrived at your vacation spot, you possibly can select to get round on two wheels. Hire a motorcycle from Pawleys Island Beach Service, Myrtle Beach Bicycles (positioned in Murrells Inlet), or Cyclopedia.