8th St. (TRI-066)

Photo by Carly Hill

8th Street has direct access to Folly Beach, although it is not ADA accessible. There is a small lot with hourly parking next to the access point for $2/hour with a $10 daily limit. Street parking is available, but not guaranteed. Trash cans and a water spigot are located at the entrance to the beach. 8th Street is less busy than other parts of Folly, so if you’re looking for a more quiet beach experience, this is the place to go!

Located on former Bohicket tribal land, Folly Beach is a 6-mile stretch of sandy beach that locals call the “Edge of America.” Once used as a strategic base by the Federal Army for the battle to take Fort Sumter, Folly Beach is now a beautiful, laidback, surfer-friendly beach that is home to 2,400 residents and countless numbers of visitors each year! With ample parking lots and street parking (keep all four tires off the road!), fantastic restaurants, bars, and beach supply shops, Folly has everything you need to have a great time at the beach. Folly Beach is open from 8AM-10PM. Do not to litter, walk on the sand dunes, bring plastic/glass containers, or consume alcohol on the beach. Dogs must be leashed at all times and are not allowed on the beach from 10am-6pm May 1 through September 30. Look out for common wildlife such as brown pelicans, laughing gulls (given the chance they will steal your food!), fish crows, hermit crabs, horseshoe crabs, sand dollars, loggerhead sea turtles, Atlantic dolphins, and much more!

Visit https://www.follybeach.com for more information on regulations and rentals.

If you want more information on the City of Folly Beach and its history, check out https://www.cityoffollybeach.com/about-folly/.

Get directions to this beach

COVID-19

Keep your distance from other people.

Practicing social distancing is still essential. Only go to the beach if you are able to keep 6 feet or 2 meters away from others. Follow the instructions provided by your local health authorities. If your community has asked that you remain indoors and away from others, do so. Spending a day in any crowded place is the worst thing we can do for our most vulnerable right now and will counter our efforts to curb the virus’s spread.

Water Quality

Passed water quality tests at least 95% of the time
Historical Status
This status is based on the latest sample, taken on September 8th, 2022. Charleston Waterkeeper updates the status of this beach as soon as test results become available. These results were posted to Swim Guide on September 12th, 2022 at 2:00 PM.

For water quality icon legend, click:

Current Weather

19°C

Clear

Report Pollution

Monitoring Frequency

Source Information

Through its Beach Monitoring Program, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) monitors the level of enterococcus bacteria at 122 sites along South Carolina’s coast. Testing is conducted during the beach season from May 15th to October 15th. Monitoring levels of enterococcus bacteria is the best way to determine whether disease-causing pathogens may be present in ocean water.

DHEC monitors 27 sites at our local beaches (Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, Folly Beach, Kiawah, and Seabrook). Monitoring sites are located near public access points to ensure the public’s safety. DHEC monitors our local beaches twice a month. When sample results are published on the Program’s website, Charleston Waterkeeper updates Swim Guide.

A “Green” site = test result of 103 MPN/100 mL or lower OR a test result between 104 and 500 MPN/100 mL followed by a test result the next day of LESS than 104 MPN/100 mL

A “Red” site = a test result of 500 MPN/100 mL or higher OR a test result between 104 and 500 MPN/100 mL followed by a test result the next day of 104 MPN/100 mL or GREATER

A “Gray” site = no test result

Water Quality Graph