Folly Island, South Carolina: "The Edge of America"

Folly Island, located just a few minutes from Charleston, SC., is affectionately called 'The Edge of America" by locals and with just one trip to this barrier island, visitors will agree with the moniker. It is a barrier island sandwiched amongst James Island, John Island, Daniel Island and Charleston Harbor. It's entire 6.5 miles length is exposed to the Atlantic Ocean with the northern tip harboring a view of the historic and nationally preserved Morris Island Lighthouse while the southern tip is host to the Folly Beach County Park. Folly Beach is only a ½ a mile wide but in that ½ mile it supports many wonderful eateries, nightclubs, hotels, a library, and many tourist shops or craft street vendors.

Folly Beach is a delightful result of repeated sand deposits from the Longshore Current, which constantly flows into Folly Island from the northeast. The island and its wildlife co-exist within a natural cycle of erosion and sediment deposition. The centuries have seen the coastline morph and undulated as the sediment erodes into the ocean or deposits to the island are made from the ocean. Folly Island also has natural dunes, vegetated terrains, maritime forest and a network of swamps and estuaries.

By following either state highway 17 or interstate highway 26 and connecting to Folly Beach Blvd., visitor can find parking for as cheap as $6.00 per day and easy access to a variety of activities.

Activities:

Bicycling--visitors can rent bikes called "beach cruisers." These bicycles have wide tires and 3 gears, making them ideal for a leisurely ride on the sandy terrain of the beaches. Bicyclers can ride around Folly Beach County Park and the Folly Beach Edwin S. Taylor Fishing Pier.

Boating--chartered trips can take visitors through waters and marshes around Folly and nearby islands. Some activities to charter are: family fishing, dolphin watching, touring Morris Island Lighthouse, crabbing and fishing, sunset cruises, shelling and bird watching. Historic boat-rides and deep-sea fishing can also be chartered.