Chimney Sweep in Folly Beach, SC

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FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCIV) — Sea turtle nesting season arrived earlier than normal this year.

Trained volunteers with the Folly Beach Turtle Watch program located a loggerhead nest Tuesday morning while walking the beach. The volunteers are part of a team of over 1,500 volunteers and biologists that regularly patrol South Carolina's beaches through the fall to count, monitor and protect local sea turtle nests.

"With warmer winter conditions and increased observations of loggerheads being reported in our waters, there was some expectation that nesting would begin soon," said biologist Michelle Pate, who oversees the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources' sea turtle nesting program.

"We ask that beachfront residents and visitors recreating on our coast turn off lights at night as sea turtles begin this annual ritual of nesting."

READ MORE | "South Carolina Aquarium and Coast Guard release five Kemp’s ridley sea turtles into ocean."

May 1 traditionally marks the beginning of sea turtle season in South Carolina, but recent sea turtle activity indicates nesting might begin early this year. Seabrook Island has already seen the first two ‘false crawls’ of the season, made by loggerhead females who came ashore but returned to sea without successfully nesting.

Other early nest years include Garden City on April 29 last year, Kiawah Island on April 26 in 2019, and Folly Beach on April 29 in 2002.

Nesting requires significant energy for female sea turtles, scientists have discovered. The typical result is a pattern of nesting that fluctuates from year to year.

Overall, sea turtle nest numbers across the Southeast have trended up over the past decade, making biologists across the region optimistic that these threatened reptiles are beginning to recover after several decades of conservation efforts.

South Carolina Sea Turtle Nest Numbers:

Sea turtle clutches average 120 eggs and hatch after approximately 60 days.

Four sea turtle species nest on South Carolina beaches: loggerheads, greens, Kemp’s ridleys, and leatherbacks. All four species are classified as endangered or threatened and are protected under the Endangered Species Act in addition to state law.

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCSC) - The City of Folly Beach is working hard to finalize its 2026 budget.

On Tuesday, the city council held a work session and reviewed the proposed budget. Federal funding cuts have made this year more of a challenge, but the mayor says they’ve come out with a balanced budget without increasing taxes.

Folly Beach Mayor Tim Goodwin says finalizing the budget is always a challenge, but especially this year.

“We have been saving all along for rainy days, and it rained on us,” Goodwin said.

The city has been affected by federal funding shifts. The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program, previously used for stormwater drainage projects, has been cancelled, and $1.8 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency funding for the redundant water main is in jeopardy. This means they’ll have to dip into general funds they’ve been saving up for years.

“We have built that up over the years wisely, so we had the money we could go get this year,” Goodwin said.

Staff members are seeking alternate funding and communicating with representatives about local fiscal impacts. A big topic at the work session was the Center Street project. By upgrading stormwater drainage systems, they hope to alleviate flooding on the busy street.

“Essentially, Center Street is going to be torn up one piece at a time to put in a bigger drain system,” Goodwin said.

The mayor said you should expect a busy construction season there this summer. The council is prioritizing the completion of existing capital projects, but Mayor Goodwin says they always have to be prepared for the unknown.

“You might find some Civil War relics, bombs, who knows, they wash up all the time on the ends of the beaches. I think we had two occasions of that last year, where people found old cannon balls, and then you have to go through a whole process of making sure they’re not going to explode. When you start digging up around here, you never know what you’re going to find,” Goodwin said.

Maintaining tourism-related facilities and the beach is one topic many locals feel passionate about prioritizing.

“Especially with the amount of people continuing to travel here over the years since we’ve been here, which is only 10 years, I can see how there is much more of a greater importance of keeping the city clean and the beach clean more than anything else,” James Island resident Julian Riani said.

James Island resident Stephen Fletcher has been surfing here for decades, and he says the council should be incorporating more for beach cleanups in the budget.

“They should buy some beach rigs and make an effort, particularly in the Center Street area, where the tourists are. To have this beach that nasty looking and junk on the beach, those guys in golf carts can’t handle that. Someone needs to have two beach rigs like they have down in Florida, and let’s clean the place up,” Fletcher said.

Goodwin said they’ve come to a balanced budget again without tax increases. Goodwin is hopeful they’ll get some grant money back. If you want to give your input before the budget is finalized, you can go to public hearings in May and June.

You can find the latest upcoming meetings here.

Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Folly Beach is making a significant comeback this beach season, thanks to a multi-million dollar renourishment project in collaboration with the Army Corps of Engineers. April 22, 2025. (Jason Tighe/WCIV)

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FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCIV) — Folly Beach is making a significant comeback this beach season, thanks to a multi-million dollar renourishment project in collaboration with the Army Corps of Engineers.

The project, which costs around $18 million, aims to widen the beaches for both storm protection and recreation.

"The beach looks great today. The renourishment project really helped," said Nicole Elko, the City of Folly Beach's Coastal Management Consultant. Elko reflected on the progress made so far, noting that last year's efforts brought more than 100 feet of sand to the beach, addressing the dangerously low sand levels caused by various weather events.

This year's focus is on reinforcing the six miles of beachfront dunes. "The contractor should be here with new sea grasses, and other plants that will go in along the dune system here," Elko said. Planting vegetation is expected to restore the health of the dunes, which have been damaged or destroyed by recent storms.

"During the last several hurricanes, many of Folly's dunes were eroded. So, there are some parts of the community that have seawalls exposed, or they did prior to the renourishments. So they're dunes are completely gone. So, building the dunes back with the sand that's available on the beach is a high priority of the project," Elko explained. The restoration work will help the upper part of the beach manage major flooding issues.

READ MORE | "Lowcountry Land Trust expands conservation with 254-acre acquisition"

Elko emphasized the importance of these protections for Folly Beach's way of life. "The economic benefit of the beach is critical for a community like Folly. They essentially can't operate without the beach," she said. Additionally, the project supports wildlife, including critical species that rely on the beach and dunes as their habitat.

This includes turtles, which nest in the dunes to protect their eggs. Turtle nesting season officially begins next month.

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The planting on the dunes represents a small portion of the overall project's cost, but it is a crucial step in ensuring the long-term health and sustainability of Folly Beach's coastline.

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We asked our readers to vote for their favorite spots for fresh catch and local shrimp in the Palmetto State—here are their picks.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in South Carolina, find the nearest seafood dive and tuck into a platter of fried shrimp—preferably one served with an ice-cold beer and an unobstructed view of the water. While you can take to Google or a guidebook to determine where to go for steamed oysters or shrimp and grits in the Lowcountry, we decided to consult the folks who care about good Southern seafood as much as we do: our readers. Here are the 10 best seafood spots in South Carolina, as voted by Southern Living readers.

Lee's Inlet Kitchen

When you’ve been around for more than 75 years, you’re bound to be doing something right. At this beloved institution in the fishing village of Murrells Inlet, try not to load up on the hot hush puppies they bring to the table on arrival—though it's awfully tempting. There's still so much more to savor, like the hand-peeled, cold-boiled shrimp pulled from the waters of nearby McClellanville or the thin and crispy onion rings—Lee’s is as famous for those as it is for the seafood.

Order: The Shrimp Salad ($28.95), made with boiled fantail shrimp and Duke's mayo, is another house specialty.

4460 US-17 Business, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576; leesinletkitchen.com

explore Murrells Inlet

Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks

It doesn’t get much fresher than this Hilton Head Island mainstay, where 90% of the seafood served comes directly from the surrounding waters. Because of its enviable position on the edge of Port Royal Sound, guests can watch a local fishing fleet (one of only two on the island) unload the day’s loot, which could include anything from white shrimp to soft-shell crab.

Order: From September through April, opt for the steamed local cluster oysters in the shell ($12 for a half bucket); the restaurant farms and harvests them.

1 Hudson Road, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29926; hudsonsonthedocks.com

Bowens Island Restaurant

Should you find yourself in the Holy City, make the worthwhile dirt-road detour to this family-owned restaurant that’s been a rambling fixture along Folly Creek since 1946. With its graffitied walls and worn-in wood floors, it doesn’t beg for attention, and it doesn’t need to. Deemed an American Classic by the James Beard Foundation in 2006, the Lowcountry seafood joint shovels fresh-steamed oysters onto trays September through the first half of May and dishes fried shrimp and hush puppies year-round. It’s all delicious—and it's made even more so if you snag a seat on the waterside deck.

Order: The shrimp (served boiled or fried) and fried fish platter is served with the seafood-dive-side-dish trifecta: french fries, hush puppies, and coleslaw.

1870 Bowens Island Road, Charleston, SC 29412; bowensisland.com

The Crab Shack

Situated on the main drag of the freewheeling beach town just 12 miles from buttoned-up Charleston, The Crab Shack is as family-friendly and flip-flop casual as its surrounds. Start with the the she-crab soup, but save room: The value seafood baskets—which you can order with flounder, shrimp, or scallops (or a combination of all three)—are generously portioned. Catch them at another location in Charleston as well.

Order: The marquee offering, The Charleston Steamed Seafood Bucket, includes two snow crab clusters, large domestic shrimp, and steamed oysters (market price).

26 Center Street, Folly Beach, SC 29439 and 8486 Dorchester Rd, Charleston, SC 29420; crabshacks.com

explore charleston

Leon’s Fine Poultry & Oyster Shop

Housed in a reimagined garage on Upper King Street, the Brooks Reitz-helmed restaurant turned 10 in 2024, but it’s been a neighborhood favorite from the start, thanks to a menu of mouthwatering fried chicken, expectedly fresh oysters, and surprisingly craveable salads. Add to the clever mix soft-serve ice cream and buckets of Miller High Life ponies, and you’ve found yourself one of the best meals in this restaurant-proud town.

Order: Even the bivalve-averse crowd may develop a taste for oysters after sampling Leon's char-grilled take, which swim in a melty swirl of lemon and butter and are topped with a generous sprinkle of parmesan. The "old-school" scalloped potatoes are also not to be missed.

698 King St, Charleston, SC 29403; leonsoystershop.com

The Sea Shack

Don’t let inevitable line out the door during summertime scare you off. This treasured counter-service spot with just 40 seats is an area favorite thanks to its wide array of offerings, from conch fritters to flounder sandwiches. It’s all made to order and to your liking—fried, grilled, or blackened. Wash it down with a glass of what they declare to be the best sweet tea on the island, and finish with a slice of strawberry Key Lime pie (when it’s seasonally available) or a cup of banana pudding.

Order: Hearty appetites should try the Shack Attack Combo ($17.95 for lunch, $19.95 for dinner), which combines a crab cake, fish, shrimp, scallops, and oysters on a giant paper platter. Homemade tartar sauce is the traditional accompaniment, but we think the brandy-infused gator sauce makes an even better platter slather.

6B Executive Park Road, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928; seashackhhi.com

explore hilton head

Sullivan’s Fish Camp

With its lofted ceilings, lacquered-wood booths, and commitment to retro branding, this Sullivan’s Island joint feels like it’s been there forever. In reality, it’s a newcomer—a spring 2022 top-to-bottom overhaul of a restaurant that had called the same spot home for 30 years. And while the nostalgically striped, umbrella-shaded patio is painfully charming, the takeaway window makes a strong case for a to-go lobster roll savored on the beach just a few blocks away.

Order: The shrimp fried rice ($24) puts a fresh coastal twist on a takeout mainstay. We also love the Key lime pie.

2019 Middle Street, Sullivan's Island, SC 29482; sullivansfishcamp.com

explore Sullivan's Island

The Wreck of the Richard and Charlene

So named for the trawler that was tossed ashore on the same spot during Hurricane Hugo in 1989, this dinner-only, no-reservations establishment on Shem Creek shrugs off formalities in favor of its dynamite views and deliciously simple seafood. The best seat in the house belongs to the wooden dockside bar, where sunset views and local craft beers are just an arm’s length away.

Order: Complete with red rice, coleslaw, a hush puppy, and a fried hominy square, the shrimp platter (from $17.95) is a true taste of the Lowcountry. The deviled crab is also worth a try.

106 Haddrell Street, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464; wreckrc.com

Shrimp Shack

This family-owned lunch spot has been an island institution since it first opened its doors in 1978, and its magic belongs to its simplicity. They're only open for lunch, and you order through a carry-out window—though you don't have to take your food home. Snag one of the picnic tables on the porch for an especially satisfying alfresco dining experience.

Order: Given the restaurant's name, it's obvious you can't go wrong with shrimp here, but the shrimp burger ($9.30), served on a bun with tartar sauce and mayo, is a true crowd favorite.

1929 Sea Island Parkway, Saint Helena Island, SC 29920; facebook.com/shrimpshacksc

Mr. Fish Restaurant

There’s something for everyone on the extensive menu at this landmark Grand Strand restaurant and seafood market owned by a fisherman father and his culinary school-trained daughter. Choose a South Carolina classic, like the Lowcountry boil, or make the most of the raw bar and order a sushi roll or two. Stretch mealtime into a full-fledged Mr. Fish experience by reserving a ride to and from dinner in the Mr. Fishmobile, a bright blue school bus that hits all the nostalgic high notes.

Order: The seafood tacos ($15) are made with your choice of mahi, tuna, or shrimp and are topped with chipotle-lime sauce.

6307 North Kings Highway, Suite B, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572; mrfish.com

Explore Myrtle Beach

Charleston is a peninsula surrounded by water, but it isn’t necessarily a beach town, per se. If you’re after the best Charleston beaches, you’ll need to plan ahead to drive to visit one of the sea islands that flank the city. The decision will pay dividends, however, as each beach offers wide views to the horizon, the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, and plenty of space to enjoy both. Most on this list come with a “beach town,” to boot, from Edisto’s sleepy seafood shacks to live bands at the Windjammer as the sun sets on Isle of Palms.

Whatever you’re after, pack some sunscreen and keep these tips in your back pocket for assured fun in the sun: The later in the day you arrive, the more crowded it will be. If you are picky about your place on the sand, then go to Charleston beaches early. The combo of tourists who generally have later starts to the day plus locals who like to knock off work early to get a few hours of beach time equals an increase in traffic and a decrease in towel real estate nearest peak sunshine. Note that each beach has its own rules for parking, from Folly’s “wheels off the road” rule to Isle of Palms’ city operated lots. It’s a delicate dance between livable beach communities and visitor pressure, so respect and patience keep public access palatable for all.

Heads-up: drinking and smoking on most Charleston beaches is a big no no, and can cost you big time. It’s a rule that is consistently enforced, and most locals know someone (or have been someone) who came with beer or other alcoholic beverages in a beach tote and left with a tan and a fine of up to $1000. Also, note that vibes vary from beach to beach. Each one of Charleston’s beach towns has its own culture. While Folly Beach is a free-stylin’ hippie, Edisto is a genteel country cousin, and Isle of Palms a fun-loving student on spring break. This is, of course, a simplification, but can help with deciding which to-the-water trek most fits your interests.

Read on for our complete Charleston city guide, which includes: