Expedition Zone

Zone: The Coast

Grand Strand, Charleston & Sea Islands
  • Murrells Inlet
  • Edisto Island
  • Hunting Island
  • Hilton Head
  • Angel Oak

What Makes This Zone Special

Tidal creeks wind through salt marshes where dolphins feed at sunrise. Barrier islands like Edisto and Hunting Island offer some of the most beautiful and least crowded beaches on the Atlantic seaboard. Murrells Inlet, Pawleys Island, Beaufort, and Hilton Head each have their own character.
Zone at a Glance

28 adventure guides in The Coast

Adventures in This Zone

LVL 1 — First Steps

Wannamaker County Park

1 to 3 miles trails
1-3 hours
A large county park in North Charleston with paved trails, a water park, fishing, and a dog park. The best urban outdoor recreation option in the North Charleston area.
  • Wheelchair Accessible
  • Stroller-Friendly
  • Dog-Friendly (Leashed + Dog Park)
  • Paved Surface
LVL 2 — Easy Going

Murrells Inlet Kayaking Guide

3-6 miles (variable)
2-3 hours
Tidal creek paddle with dolphins. Murrells Inlet is the seafood capital of South Carolina and one of the best places in the state to paddle with bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat.
  • Guided Tours Available
  • Dog-Friendly
LVL 1 — First Steps

Angel Oak to Botany Bay: A Lowcountry Day Trip

0.5 miles at Angel Oak, 1-3 miles at Botany Bay
Half day to full day
Two of the most extraordinary natural experiences in South Carolina, 45 minutes apart. Angel Oak is a 400-500 year old live oak with a canopy that covers 17,000 square feet. Botany Bay is a ghost forest boneyard beach unlike anything else on the East Coast.
  • Wheelchair Accessible (Angel Oak)
  • Stroller-Friendly (Angel Oak)
  • Dog-Friendly (Angel Oak)
LVL 2 — Easy Going

Hunting Island State Park Guide

Various (beach walk, lighthouse climb, nature trail)
Half day to full day
South Carolina’s most visited state park. A 5,000-acre barrier island with a working lighthouse you can climb, miles of undeveloped beach, and a maritime forest that feels genuinely wild.
  • Wheelchair Accessible (beach boardwalk)
  • Stroller-Friendly
  • Dog-Friendly
  • Camping Available
LVL 2 — Easy Going

Cherry Grove Marsh Kayak Trail, North Myrtle Beach

3 to 6 miles
2-3 hours
Tidal marsh kayaking in the quieter northern end of the Grand Strand. Paddle through salt marsh channels with views of the Cherry Grove inlet and the barrier island. Dolphins are common on incoming tides.
  • Guided Tours Available
  • Dog-Friendly
LVL 3 — Moderate

Black River Paddle: Ancient Cypress & Dark Water

5 to 12 miles (varies by section)
Half day to full day
The Black River near Georgetown contains bald cypress trees dated to more than 2,000 years old. When these trees were saplings, the Roman Empire was still standing. Paddle right past them through tannin-dark water in one of the most atmospheric paddles in the Southeast.
  • Dog-Friendly
LVL 1 — First Steps

Georgetown Harborwalk & Sampit River

1 to 2 miles
30 minutes to 2 hours
Georgetown is the third-oldest city in South Carolina and its waterfront is one of the prettiest on the coast. The Harborwalk runs along the Sampit River through historic downtown, past shrimp boats, seafood restaurants, and views of the Georgetown Lighthouse.
  • Wheelchair Accessible
  • Stroller-Friendly
  • Dog-Friendly
  • Free Admission
LVL 4 — Challenging

Cape Romain NWR & Bull Island Paddle

3 to 6 miles (open-water crossing)
Full day
An open-water crossing to an uninhabited barrier island that is one of the most important loggerhead sea turtle nesting beaches on the East Coast. Bull Island has no development, no cars, and no crowds. Just beach, forest, and wildlife.
  • Guided Tours Available
LVL 1 — First Steps

Isle of Palms County Park Beach Guide

N/A (beach)
Half day to full day
The best public beach access near Charleston. Isle of Palms County Park has paved parking, accessible beach access, restrooms, and a lifeguarded swimming area. The beach is wide, clean, and less crowded than Folly Beach on weekends.
  • Wheelchair Accessible (boardwalk)
  • Stroller-Friendly
  • Dog-Friendly (off-season)
  • Lifeguarded Swimming
LVL 2 — Easy Going

Folly Beach Surf Guide & Morris Island Hike

1 to 3 miles (Morris Island walk)
Half day to full day
Charleston’s surf beach and the hike to Morris Island Lighthouse. Folly Beach has the best surf on the Charleston coast. At the south end, wade across to Morris Island at low tide and walk to a lighthouse standing in the surf.
  • Dog-Friendly (with restrictions)
  • Good for Kids (beach)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best beach in South Carolina?

Hunting Island State Park consistently ranks as one of the best beaches in South Carolina. The 5-mile undeveloped barrier island beach has no commercial development, a lighthouse you can climb, and a ghost forest of dead trees in the surf that is unlike anything else on the East Coast.

Where can I kayak with dolphins in South Carolina?

Murrells Inlet and the tidal creeks around Beaufort and Hilton Head are the best places to kayak with dolphins in South Carolina. Bottlenose dolphins are resident year-round in these estuaries and regularly feed in the tidal channels, especially on incoming tides.

What is the Angel Oak?

Angel Oak is a southern live oak on Johns Island near Charleston estimated to be 400-500 years old. It stands 66 feet tall and has a canopy that covers 17,000 square feet, making it one of the oldest living things east of the Mississippi River. It is free to visit and open daily.