Only 40 Minutes from Myrtle Beach Airport and 4 hours from Greenville, South Carolina by car, this teeny-tiny city is a key destination along South Carolina’s 2,870 miles of coastline for one reason: peace and quiet. Fewer tourists visit and even fewer rental spaces are available. In fact the whole island itself is void of commercial development. This low country treasure is a haven for wildlife, a shell and shark-teeth collectors paradise, and super close to MANY other cities bursting with activities like mini golf, dolphin tours, and restaurants. 

My family decided to take our Sunday dinner plans to the coast and book a private home one block from the water. We spent 6 days exploring the area, basking in the quiet, and meeting friendly neighbors. During our explorations, I looked at a ton of nearby Airbnb and local inns, finding three I really liked and feel confident to recommend. 

Of course, found a few I do NOT feel confident to recommend as well, like homes located on the wrong side of the marsh, where you have to drive each time you want ocean access. And certain inns relying on their historic names, like Pelican inn, known for its history but lacks decent southern hospitality and is quite rude, and a couple homes that were rundown and not represented correctly in their photos online. Here are the few options I thought were great. Keep in mind prices vary depending on the season and how many nights you plan to book. 

1. This home is RIGHT next to where we stayed, only one block away from the beach and sleeps 9+. It is very private and quiet with access to less-crowded beachfront, less traffic, in a very friendly and safe neighborhood. Click HERE to see more. 

2. This beachfront home has its own private access to sand and waters and sleeps 15+. It would be perfect for family reunions, wedding groups, or big birthdays. Located on a very private and quiet street with marshland access and dock behind as well. The greatest option if you want ALL the amenities without the crowds. Click HERE to see more. 

3. The most affordable route is to stay in an inn. There are a few in the area, though one of the better ones I found was in Litchfield, right next to Pawleys Island, with beach access and pool access. This may be the smartest if you’re trying to stay within a budget. Click HERE to see more. 

Pawleys Island has so many free, creative activities and a few awesome paid activities close enough to explore off the island. If you’re looking for free, try….

-Sharks Teeth Hunting. This is easiest when the tide is going out as you can find them strewn across the freshly exposed sand. Many shells will LOOK like teeth, so the best way to test it is to try and break it. If you can break it, it’s not a prehistoric sharks tooth. 

-Crabbing at night. Take a flash light to the beach after dark and watch the ghost crabs run for cover. They are hard to catch, think you’re fast enough?

-Swim. Of course. Just be mindful of the riptide as the waves shift.

-Walking the marshlands at low and high-tide to see the wildlife around you. 

-Biking down the historic roadways and reading all the plaques that explain everything from the first settlers to the former slave responsibilities in the area. 

-Attend church at Pawleys Chapel during high season. 

A couple activities that are too good to pass up are…

-Exploring Hammock Shop Villages, which is free to visit, but you’ll definitely walk away with -actually affordably priced- fudge or a nicknack or two. 

-Wandering the grounds at Atalaya Castle which is just a couple bucks to enter.

-Walk around Brookegreen gardens which is $25 per adult.

-See the wildlife and walk the lands at Huntington Beach state park for a small -under $10- fee

More adventurous activities a bit further off the island could be…. 

-Tubing near Myrtle Beach for $34 a person. This would be great for antsy kids and parents that just need a break. Takes about 3 hours and includes a nice pontoon ride to open the trip. Check it out HERE.

-A beautiful intracoastal cruise from Myrtle Beach on a 70 foot wooden riverboat with catered dinner and views for $69 per person. Check it out HERE. 

-A dolphin-siting cruise in Myrtle Beach. Takes about 1.5 to 2 hours and is great for kids. And yes, it is shaded. Check it out HERE. 

For food in Pawleys Island, there are quite a few options. If you are staying in a private home, my number one recommendation is to stock-up on groceries from Food Lion or Publix with normal food costs. If you want to explore other eating options, here are a few: 

For ice cream, check out Gilbert’s Ice Cream, Paradice Homemade ice cream, Island Treats, or Pawleys Island Creamery. 

For sit-down meals, check out Applewood Pancake House, Bisqit, Chesters Pit Stop, or Quigley’s Pint & Plate.

Don’t forget you can always DoorDash groceries to your home away from home as well. 

Pawleys Island really is a special place, as long as you remember sunscreen, shade for the beach, and a cooler with waters, the rest will fall into place. Nothing beats the sound of waves on a shoreline or the feel of warm water crashing on your toes. 

For a quick video on the top 5 Hidden Gems in Pawleys Island, Click Here. 

To read a very brief summary of the Top 10 Beaches in South Carolina, Click Here and tap into my instagram reel caption.