Charleston area beach rules

Ready or not, the weather’s warming up, the waves are crashing, and the sand from last season’s beach trip is everywhere.

Before grabbing your Yeti, leashing up Buddy + packing your Shibumi’s, scroll down for the lowdown on our Lowcountry beach rules broken down beach by beach.

Folly Beach

• No alcohol or smoking is allowed on the beach.
• Dogs are not allowed on the beach from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., May through September. They must be leashed at all other times. Dogs are never allowed on the pier.
• Glass and plastic bags are not allowed on the beach.
• Lifeguards are on duty from May through Labor Day.
• When parking on the street, don’t block driveways or crosswalks, and make sure all four tires are off the road. Read all parking rules.

Photo by @lukescraftpizza

Sullivan’s Island

• No alcohol or smoking is allowed on the beach.
• Dogs must have a license from town hall. Your furry friend can be off leash before 10 a.m. and on leash after 6 p.m., May through September.
• There are no lifeguards on duty.
• When parking on the street, all four tires must be off the road.
• The beach closes at 11 p.m.

Isle of Palms

• No alcohol or smoking is allowed on the beach.
• Dogs are allowed year-round. They can be off leash between 5-9 a.m., April 1 through September 14.
• Glass bottles are prohibited.
• On-street paid parking stations are operational between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Paid parking is enforced from March through October. Read all parking rules.

Kiawah Island

• The public can access the beach at Beachwalker Park only.
• No glass containers allowed
• The beach is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., May through Labor Day.
• Dogs are allowed year-round and must be leashed from March 16 to October 31. There is a designated year-round dog off-leash area — learn more.
• Lifeguards are on duty from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Parking is $15-$20.

Edisto Beach

• Glass containers are not allowed.
• Dogs are allowed at all times and must be leashed May 1-October 31.
• Leaving holes on the beach is prohibited.
• No bonfires allowed.
• No lifeguards are on duty.
• Parking is allowed at beach accesses from 6 a.m.-10 p.m.

Before you go, view the SC Dept. of Health and Environmental Control beach guide and check our beach bag suggestions.