This Quiet Beach Was Named the Best within the U.S. South—and It’s Well-known for Its Sunsets, Dolphin Sightings, and Pristine Gentle Sand

The larger Charleston space is way from missing in seashores. From the relaxed vibes and browsing waves of Folly Beach to the jaw-dropping beachfront houses alongside Sullivan’s Island, a number of top-tier stretches of coast tempt native Charlestonians and guests alike. One of these seashores additionally occurs to be one of the best seashore within the South, in response to Dr. Beach himself.

Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, in any other case often known as “Dr. Beach,” is a scientist, creator, professor, and director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University. His experience and his curiosity in seashores led him to create his official seashore rating system, which he then makes use of to curate his annual America’s Best Beaches listing. While Coopers Beach in Southampton, New York, acquired high honors this yr, Beachwalker Park on Kiawah Island was the highest-ranked seashore within the South, coming in at No. 6.

Most of Kiawah is a gated non-public neighborhood, however Beachwalker Park, on the west finish of the island, is open to the general public. “This is a nature-lovers’ coast, so visitors can bring their canoes and kayaks to paddle through the tidal inlets. It is also fun to walk or bicycle down the fine-grained sand beach to Captain Sam’s Inlet to see thousands of birds,” Dr. Beach acknowledged. “The water is not clear, but it is clean and provides fantastic seafood.”

In order to search out the perfect seashores, Dr. Beach evaluates every coastal vacation spot utilizing 50 completely different standards, together with noise, trash and litter, entry, and “intensity of beach use,” that means how crowded or uncrowded it’s throughout peak season. Beachwalker Park is way from an undiscovered gem, but it surely’s sometimes much less crowded than different Charleston seashores in the summertime—thanks, partly, to the truth that it’s a couple of 45-minute drive from downtown. Notably, that drive will be even longer throughout peak season.

Along with providing a traditional seashore day, Beachwalker Park is a superb spot to see dolphins feeding or watch the sundown. Walk all the way down to Captain Sam’s Inlet, previous the tip of the park, at low tide; it’s an space that’s additionally conducive to kayaking or standup paddleboarding.

There is a snack bar at Beachwalker Park in the course of the summer season. However, in order for you a extra substantial seashore lunch—otherwise you’re visiting within the low season—swing by Freshfields Village earlier than establishing your chairs and umbrella. The open-air purchasing heart has a grocery retailer, espresso store (Java Java), a connoisseur deli (The Station), and a grab-and-go seashore bodega (The Co-Op).

Read the unique article on Travel & Leisure