Top5 Best Islands Of South Carolina You Must Visit There

In this article we will explore some best islands of South Carolina. South Carolina offers travelers a warm, inviting experience marked by coastal breezes and a relaxed pace. The state’s appeal lies in its historic streets and tranquil beaches, showcasing beauty in understated ways. Local culture is evident through friendly conversations, soulful music, and traditional food. Nature welcomes visitors with moss-covered oaks and sunlit shorelines. Leaving South Carolina feels less like finishing a trip and more like leaving a cherished moment behind. So let’s begin.

5) Daniel Island

One of the best islands of South Carolina is Daniel Island, is an award-winning 4,000-acre masterplanned community located between the Kooper and Wando Rivers. It is not a standalone town but a distinct island community within Charleston, fully annexed by Berkeley County. The land was once owned by the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation, which mainly used it for farming, ranching, and private hunting. The island has a rich history, as it once hosted original Charlestonians who lived off fishing and trading.

4) Hilton Head Island

One of the best islands of South Carolina is Hilton Head Island. Vacationers from around the world visit Hilton Head Island every year for its beautiful beaches and top-notch golf courses. The island is small, measuring just 12 miles long and 5 miles wide, yet it features over 100 miles of bicycle trails. Cycling is a popular way to explore the area, which is home to fewer than 40,000 year-round residents but attracts 2.5 million visitors each year. Historical records indicate that two dozen plantations once produced Sea Island cotton here, but this term now refers to large resort communities. 

Until 1956, access was mainly by boat, the same year Charles Fraser began developing Sea Pines Plantation. The well-known red and white striped lighthouse in Harbor Town is actually a gift shop, and despite initial criticism, it is now a cherished symbol of the island. The geography of the island resembles a foot, leading locals to describe locations by the toe, heel, or ankle, and the Gula culture adds unique foods, language, and art to the island’s charm.

3) Sullivan’s Island

One of the best islands of South Carolina is Sullivan’s Island, is a narrow barrier island that is 3 miles long and less than a quarter mile wide at its widest point. The island features beautiful sandy beaches, lush maritime forests, and calm salt marshes. It is home to the historic Fort Moultrie, which was built from sand and palmetto logs. These materials helped absorb cannonballs during a critical battle in 1776, leading to South Carolina being known as the Palmetto State. 

Furthermore, the island has a rich literary connection. In 1827, a soldier named Edgar A. Perry, later known as Edgar Allan Poe, was stationed at the fort. The island’s wild surroundings inspired him, becoming the setting for his story, The Gold Bug, and possibly for his poem, Annabelle Lee. Additionally, the Charleston Light, built in 1962, stands 162.5 feet tall and is the last major lighthouse constructed by the federal government. It is the only U. S. lighthouse with a working elevator and central air conditioning.

2) Kiawah Island

One of the best islands of South Carolina is Kiawah Island, is located 25 miles southwest of Charleston and is a narrow piece of land where the Atlantic Ocean meets Emerald Marshes. Its name comes from the Kawa people who lived there, and their chief helped early English colonists in 1670. In 1699, Captain George Raina took control of the island, adding to its history. 

Previously a cattle farming estate, Kiawah Island is now a well-preserved area featuring maritime forests and brackish ponds. The island is known for strand feeding, where bottlenose dolphins herd fish onto the shore to eat. There is a lights out ordinance from May to October to protect loggerhead sea turtles, and over 600 alligators inhabit its waters. Local rules, like the Sandhole Ordinance, help preserve the delicate environment.

1) Morris Island Lighthouse

One of the best islands of South Carolina is the Morris Island Lighthouse, is 161 ft tall and is the tallest lighthouse in South Carolina. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Located near Charleston, it is a popular landmark and is often photographed, though it is no longer accessible by land. The lighthouse was built in 1767 to help ships navigate the harbor. The original wooden structure decayed quickly, but it was replaced by brick and powerful lights that can send signals visible up to 20 miles out to sea. 

Its distinctive red and white spiral stripes make it easily recognizable from a distance. Morris Island is historically significant as it was a strategic point for Union bombardments during the Civil War and the site of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry’s assault on Fort Wagner, portrayed in the movie Glory. Today, coastal erosion poses a major threat, having moved the lighthouse 1,500 ft offshore, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. Relocation efforts were too costly, leading to a focus on preservation authorized by the South Carolina legislature in 1999.