This Quiet Beach Was Named the Best in the U.S. South—and It’s Famous for Its Sunsets, Dolphin Sightings, and Pristine Soft Sand

The greater Charleston area is far from lacking in beaches. From the relaxed vibes and surfing waves of Folly Beach to the jaw-dropping beachfront homes along Sullivan’s Island, several top-tier stretches of coast tempt local Charlestonians and visitors alike. One of those beaches also happens to be the best beach in the South, according to Dr. Beach himself.

Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, otherwise known as “Dr. Beach,” is a scientist, author, professor, and director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University. His expertise and his interest in beaches led him to create his official beach ranking system, which he then uses to curate his annual America’s Best Beaches list. While Coopers Beach in Southampton, New York, received top honors this year, Beachwalker Park on Kiawah Island was the highest-ranked beach in the South, coming in at No. 6.

Most of Kiawah is a gated private community, but Beachwalker Park, on the west end of the island, is open to the 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 stated. “The water is not clear, but it is clean and provides fantastic seafood.”

In order to find the very best beaches, Dr. Beach evaluates each coastal destination using 50 different criteria, including noise, trash and litter, access, and “intensity of beach use,” meaning how crowded or uncrowded it is during peak season. Beachwalker Park is far from an undiscovered gem, but it’s typically less crowded than other Charleston beaches in the summer—thanks, in part, to the fact that it’s about a 45-minute drive from downtown. Notably, that drive can be even longer during peak season.

Along with offering a classic beach day, Beachwalker Park is a great spot to see dolphins feeding or watch the sunset. Walk down to Captain Sam’s Inlet, past the end of the park, at low tide; it’s an area that’s also conducive to kayaking or standup paddleboarding.

There is a snack bar at Beachwalker Park during the summer. However, if you want a more substantial beach lunch—or you’re visiting in the off-season—swing by Freshfields Village before setting up your chairs and umbrella. The open-air shopping center has a grocery store, coffee shop (Java Java), a gourmet deli (The Station), and a grab-and-go beach bodega (The Co-Op).