Beautiful beaches, low-country comfort, no distraction
A visit to Pawleys Island in the spring combines the best of new beginnings with a treasured past. This charming island on the southern end of the Hammock Coast is one of the oldest resort areas on the Atlantic Coast. For today’s vacationers, it is also one of the most memorable. Here, visitors have the time and space to make the kind of memories they’ll cherish for years to come.
Pawleys Island is a special place with unique waterfront lodging and no mundane trappings or distractions. No businesses dot the island other than its two historic inns which stand alongside a collection of beach homes. Staying on Pawleys Island is truly a getaway. Whether the aim is to explore the history of this coastal retreat or to make vacation history of their own, visitors here experience a beachfront escape like no other.
In April, this barrier island off Waccamaw Neck begins to come alive, just as it has for generations. The beach houses and historic inns on Pawleys have long been coastal retreats for those in need of an escape from inland cities or, more recently, from the hustle and bustle of the Hammock Coast. Classic beach houses, with their comfortable porches and dune walkovers are set amid the natural beauty of the island. They offer comfort and variety for parties of all sizes and with a range of budgets.
The two unique inns on the island offer the ideal getaway for those looking for an authentic Pawleys Island experience, combining exclusive comfort and classic low country style. The Sea View Inn is open April through November and portrays the true character of the island. Built in the 1930s, this beautiful structure features 20 private guest rooms amid common areas, all in keeping with the island’s “arrogantly shabby” personality. Porches overlook the ocean and the private pier is the perfect spot for dropping a line. The inn’s large dining room is a gathering place for enjoying three homemade meals each day.
The Pelican Inn, open Memorial Day through Labor Day, has been welcoming guests for more than 150 years. This eight-bedroom beach house exudes low country elegance. And as one of a few original homes on the island today, the Pelican Inn holds a special place in local history. Built as a family summer home generations ago, the inn sits behind the highest dune on the island, which has protected it from harsh sea storms over the years. Today, the surrounding oaks and protective dunes provide a picturesque setting for those who come back year after year to relax on the porch and listen to the ocean.
One of the earliest of South Carolina’s summer beach settlements, Pawleys Island remains true to its history through the stewardship of its natural resources and the preservation of its character. Fishing and crabbing have long been favorite pastimes here. With the ocean to the east and the Waccamaw River and its tidal marshlands to west, this is still the perfect spot for doing both, as well as exploring the area waters. Many take to the water for kayak adventures or nature cruises. Some choose to spend the day relaxing on the beach or in a rope hammock, the beloved invention of a Pawleys Island riverboat captain in 1889.
For those who choose to break the spell of Pawleys’ seclusion, nearby attractions relay the region’s rich stories of plantations, rebellions, shipwrecks and more. Others offer options for new adventures, both on the water and off. From gardens and grand historic homes to fishing charters and scenic tours, there are many ways to explore beyond the beach.
Just a short drive from the action-packed Hammock Coast resorts, Pawleys Island offers a welcome spring respite. Exclusive comfort and quality time in a beautiful setting. Couples, families and generations of vacationers continue to make memories here. Memories to take home and treasure forever.