Pressure Washing in Folly Beach, SC

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCIV) — Folly Beach is one step closer to a highly anticipated pedestrian safety project.

The City Council approved the first reading of next year’s $17 million budget Tuesday, most of which will help fund different "public works" projects to ensure safety for drivers and pedestrians.

Arctic Avenue is busy with cars, foot traffic, golf carts and bikes. As the city’s main drag before the beach, it’s an area that leaders have planned to make safer for years.

Now a start date for the project is closer in sight.

“The first five or six blocks is the most critical area– that's what gets the most use," said Mayor Tim Goodwin. "As this comes in, we'll be doing it in steps. It won't all be done in a year or two years or three years."

READ MORE: "Folly Beach renourishment project underway, promises more beach space and protection."

City council members gave the first green light for an improvement project to transform the street. It’ll move the road from two lanes to one and add raised crosswalks, while pedestrians and cyclists will have their designated paths.

They are considered simple solutions that will make a big impact.

“I was walking here the other weekend with my friend, and we were walking in the road and then on sidewalks," said Anne Nidiffer, who lives in the city. "It's not like a designated area for people to walk, so I think that would help."

READ MORE: "Folly Beach residents face footing the bill for erosion crisis following recent storm."

The city plans to spend $7 million to $10 million on the project.

For locals who’ve lived on the island for decades, they say the project shows leaders care.

“If you look behind you, look at the foot traffic, it's constant up and down,"said Andy McClellan, a longtime resident of Folly Beach. "I’m excited about anything they can do to make it safer."

Engineers are now looking into the design and permitting process. The project team is currently working on a grant application to secure funding.

No start date has been set.

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCSC) - Charleston County Parks has secured an off-road wheelchair for use on Folly Beach.

Nonprofit Waymaker Offroad Wheelchairs donated an all-terrain wheelchair to Charleston County’s Parks and Recreation Commission this month, granting a new level of accessibility to the Folly Beach County Park.

Officials say the chair, a Nomad All-Terrain electricity-powered chair, is available to be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations must be made in advance on the Waymaker website. After reserving, there will be an instructional video on how to use the chair. Guests will receive a confirmation email which they should then show at the park office to receive the chair.

This chair will allow users to safely ride through the sand and other more difficult-to-navigate areas of the county park.

The Parks and Recreation Commission’s chief operating officer and Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator, Steve Hutton, expressed excitement about the partnership with Waymaker.

“CCPRC is thrilled to partner with Waymaker Offroad Wheelchairs to provide a powered, all-terrain beach wheelchair available at Folly Beach County Park,” Hutton said. “This new chair will allow customers with mobility impairments to access the beach independently. Improving accessibility throughout our park system is one of our core values, and the addition of this Nomad All-Terrain powered wheelchair helps us meet that goal and continue to better serve our visitors with disabilities.”

Waymaker is a South Carolina based nonprofit that specializes in giving people with mobility impairments the opportunity to do more outdoors and do so with independence. They provide free access to their specialty wheelchairs for various state parks and locations in the state.

All other locations that offer these through a partnership with Waymaker, which include Edisto Beach State Park and Hunting Island State Park, are listed in this section of their website.

While Folly Beach is currently the only Charleston County Park with a Waymaker wheelchair, officials say standard TerraWheels beach wheelchairs are still available to be checked out at all CCPRC parks through a grant from the Christopher & Dana Reeves Foundation and may be checked out by visiting the park office upon arrival.

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCSC) - If you visited Folly Beach recently, you may have noticed a slight change in scenery.

The placement of a 30-foot metal pipe, six-foot piles of sand and bulldozers on both sides of the pier raised eyebrows for some beachgoers.

“That’s new, I don’t know. Someone told me it’s to hold the sand back, but it takes away from the appeal of the beach,” Visitor Mike Landau says.

“It was kind of confusing, on the beach we couldn’t go past that bridge,” Visitor Janiyah says.

Locals know it more as a common thread. The construction is part of a renourishment project through the Army Corps of Engineers.

“The storms we had last year really decimated the beach. There’s a nice beach even at high tide. It seems to be holding all the sand they’re putting in,” Homeowner Lynn Barnett says.

The storm risk management plan is funded by $25 million to heal erosion impacts from previous hurricanes or storm surges. This also includes additional awards and PED funding.

“The beach was eroded to the point where it could start damaging homes and infrastructure,” Project Manager Wes Wilson says. “To have this beach in place, the sand, the berm, the width, is really why we do this project.”

An up-close look at the construction zone presents a harsher environment than the typical beach day. Bulldozers fight against high sandy winds to pile transported sand onto the beachfront. A pipe opening sprays a mix of sand and water like a fountain into the reach of construction vehicles.

“It pulls sand from the river channel and borrow areas and pumps it all the way, five miles to this area. It looks mostly like water, but if you took it in your hands, you’d have a lot of sand. Almost a slurry mix,” Project Engineer Bradley Randolph says.

The project uses close to 2 million cubic yards of sand to stock the beach, starting with a 6-foot-tall pile that slowly erodes into a natural slope.

When it is first finished, there are “drop-off” spots, called escarpments, which have raised concern for some visitors. Project officials say this is normal and the ridges settle down with the tides after two or three weeks.

“A lot of people ask us: ‘Why are we doing the beach now? Why during the summer months?’ The reason is a peak hurricane season occurs in late August. We want to have the beach built to protect people and infrastructure,” Randolph says.

The goal is to copy the look of a natural beachfront that extends away from existing homes and businesses while preserving the wildlife in the area. The project specifically takes sea turtle habitats into consideration.

Each portion of the project focuses on 1,000 feet of shoreline, making the rest of the beach open to public access.

“We’ll all feel safer as Charleston residents having the beach renourished. We’re mitigating some of the potential for flood damage and storm damage. We have an active hurricane season predicted for us,” Randolph says.

Between projects, Wilson says they use supplemental methods, like fencing or grassing, to help build up dunes and hold them steady. Beachgoers from up North suggested rock jetties, like those lining Rockaway Beach, to keep the project in place.

“Retainment walls, similar things can be harsher on wildlife and increase beach erosion. We call this a ‘soft measure,’” Randolph says.

The Army Corps of Engineers aims to have the project completed by the start of peak hurricane season.

The coastal storm risk management plan has the support of federal participation until 2042, according to an infographic from the Army Corps of Engineers.

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCSC) - The City of Folly Beach is taking action to prioritize safety on the roads and city officials want community feedback.

In April, the City of Folly Beach approved a contract to develop a Safety Action Plan to improve infrastructure and access. Now, the city is working on developing this plan. The Department of Transportation defines a Safety Action Plan as a “comprehensive safety plan aimed at reducing and eliminating serious-injury and fatal crashes affecting all roadway users,” while utilizing, “data analysis to characterize roadway safety problems and strengthen a community’s approach through projects and strategies that address the most significant safety risks.”

Road safety continues to be an issue throughout the state of South Carolina, especially when it comes to pedestrians. The City of Folly Beach is looking at how safe road users in the area feel when driving, walking and biking throughout the city.

Katie Zimmerman is the executive director of Charleston Moves, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the safety of pedestrians and cyclists that is working with Folly Beach on the development of this Safety Action Plan. Zimmerman says this is a vital effort, as pedestrian and cyclist safety is such a present crisis throughout the entire state.

She says some things that could come out of this plan are improved crosswalks, intersections, new signals and a focus on road projects like the Complete Streets project, specifically on Arctic Avenue. Zimmerman believes that a major part of this Safety Action Plan will be to develop a Target Zero Plan in Folly Beach. This would set a goal to get the number of traffic fatalities down to zero by a certain year. She says they will also create a prioritized list of projects based on a cost-benefit analysis to decide where to put their focus to get the most safety at the best cost.

“The overarching goal of any safety plan is, you want to develop designs that are going to encourage motorists to drive slower. This doesn’t mean causing a huge amount of traffic congestion, but it just means getting drivers to naturally drive at a more humane speed so that you’ve got more of a people-oriented place that’s enjoyable and safe for everybody to get around,” Zimmerman says.

Zimmerman says she thinks the Safety Action Plan will take a few months to fully develop, based on her experience working with other municipalities.

Safety is the main priority of the plan, and Zimmerman says that one of the major motivations for completing the plan is that it will then make the city eligible to apply for federal funding so they can implement improvements discussed in the plan. She hopes that this is something that all the municipalities in Charleston County will eventually adopt.

“We’re really hoping to see this happening all over the county so that we’ve got all of these cohesive plans coming together. And then all of these municipalities are able to work toward actually constructing the improvements,” Zimmerman says. “Ultimately the end game would be a workable connected system for people to safely walk and bike all over the county.”

Thursday evening the city will be hosting a community meeting where they will have a first look at crash data findings that they have gathered and explain the process of the Safety Action Plan while also providing residents an opportunity to express their concerns. Zimmerman encourages everyone to come out and share their feedback and personal experiences. The community meeting will be drop-in style and will take place at the Folly Beach Community Center located at 55 Center Street. It is open for anyone to attend - both residents and those who frequent the area. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. but, City officials have an online survey for residents who are unable to make it to submit their feedback and that is linked here.

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCSC) - Folly Beach is having its 22nd Wahine Classic, where around 250 young girls and women will participate in a surf competition this weekend.

“The mission of the FBWC is to share the strength of surfer women of all ages and abilities through a fun weekend of surf competition and camaraderie,” Director of the Folly Beach Wahine Classic Nicole Elko says.

The Folly Beach Wahine Classic is the longest-running girls’ surf contest on the East Coast and South Carolina’s only all-female surf contest. Tents, vendors, families and friends flood the beach watching young girls and women compete.

The contest started at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday.

There were almost 20 divisions, one of them being the Goddess 50 and up class.

Barbara Corey, 74, has participated in 21 out of the 22 years the Folly Beach Wahine Classic has taken place.

“I’ve been to every contest except one because I had a heart attack and they wouldn’t let me,” Corey said.

She says even though she’s had a heart attack and got bitten by a shark, it’s all worth it.

“It’s too fun to quit, you know. I’m not the spryest person out there anymore. I really don’t care whether I win or lose. I do it to just do it. You know, I love it,” Corey said.

While she’s been surfing for over 60 years, Corey said she’s proud to see so many women start their surfing journey.

“There’s been a big difference, you know, especially with the short-board revolution,” Corey said.

Elko says it’s important for women to empower each other at The Washout, what she describes as “a male-dominated surf spot.”

“We had very few women in surfing 22 years ago, and today. In fact, today, we’re seeing women surfing at Teahupo in the Olympics,” Elko said. “It’s actually one of the sports that has come the farthest in the last 22 years.”

The competition continues at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday.

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.

We’re in the midst of beach season and as the temperatures continue to rise, the thought of being as close as possible to a body of water sounds delightful.

For those braving the traffic to head out to one of Charleston’s most popular beaches, the fun doesn’t stop on the sand at Folly Beach. After soaking up some rays and taking a dip, you can wander up the pier, along the main strip and even off the beaten path to discover some great places for cooling off with a refreshing beverage.

Just be sure to plan your ride home responsibly.

Here are 12 Folly Beach bars to visit.

BLUAn Ocean Potion or the frozen machine-swirling Italian ice will do you nice at this outdoor bar at The Tides that makes you feel like you’re drinking on the beach. It’s the only bar on Folly that gets you right up next to the sand, with views of umbrella rentals, the pier and the ocean in your direct line of sight. There’s usually live music on the patio and drinks flowing at the covered bar. Signature cocktails and frozen cocktails alike will ring up at $12, and you can pair with calamari fries, chicken sandwiches, a salmon salad or tacos a la plancha.

Bounty BarThe Royal American’s Folly Beach sister, Bounty Bar offers live music on weekends and a menu of stellar bar bites throughout the week. If you’re trying to hide from the sun, sink into this cave of a bar with its dim lighting and cozy booths. Staff meals and red-plate specials change up weekly, offering fun options (like the chicken and waffle tacos or chicken enchilada eggrolls) and good deals. Plus, you can never go wrong with the magic dust wings and shoestring fries. For the drinks, try the frozen punch flight, which offers up a selection of Royal’s favorite punches in icy form.

Chico FeoAn absolute favorite for locals on the island is this exclusively outdoor bar that offers a Songwriter’s Soapbox every Monday night and quirky decor that makes it decidedly Folly. The tacos (pork, chicken, Mahi or vegetarian) are nothing less than fantastic, or opt for a Cuban sandwich. You can scoop a Corona or variety of local beers and wines from the long bar before grabbing a stool or picnic table under the oaks and string lights.

Coconut Joe’sWith arcade games upstairs and options of inside seating, downstairs patio seating or upstairs outdoor seating with a bar and a view, Coconut Joe’s is a new island favorite. You might recognize the name because there’s also one on Isle of Palms. Try the piña colada with coconut flakes and sweet cream on top or one of seven other frozen cocktails that will cool you off. The Creamsicle Mojito or Flirty Flamingo are two options on the rocks. Pair with coconut shrimp, fried pickles, island nachos or a big beachside salad.

Jack of Cups SaloonSome of the best food from a rotating menu on the island can be found at Jack of Cups, which also serves up quality cocktails inside or on the outdoor fan-cooled patio. Right now, they’re featuring comfort plates like the Egyptian lentil and chickpea curry, Maafe African-style peanut stew, Kate’s red beans and rice, and Jack of Cups meatballs. The song-titled drinks include a Nothing Compares 2 U with tequila, dry curacao, hibiscus tea, lime, OJ and agave; the 99 Problems with mezcal, Americano, passionfruit liqueur, prosecco and lemonade; and the No Diggity with bourbon, blackberry syrup, lime and ginger bitters.

Loggerhead’s

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Slightly off the main strip, this locals’ bar has a big outdoor patio that features a wraparound bar, lime green umbrellas and an old retro truck with a surfboard in the back. The Lava Flow, half piña colada and half strawberry daquiri, is sure to cool you down. Try it with the shrimp margherita pizza, crab cake sandwich or chicken fingers and fries.

LowLife BarAnother slightly off-the-beaten-path hangout is LowLife, where you can choose to sit wrapped around the bar inside or outside or take a table in the main dining room. You order from the bar here, but the selection of drinks for the island are top-notch. The Farmer Tan, made with tequila, chipotle, strawberry, pineapple and lime, is a personal favorite. The Slowlife is another good one, with gin, raspberry, elderflower and lemon, while the Pluff Mudslide is for those looking for a dessert drink. Brunch here is served every day of the week from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., so if you’re off the beach early and want a midday bite, try the breakfast burrito, Lowlife B.E.C. (bacon, egg and cheese on a croissant) or chicken and waffles.

Pier 101

If you want to stay on the pier, and maybe wander up and down before or after your bite, then Pier 101 is the best bet for you. There is often a musician strumming an acoustic guitar outside, and yellow umbrellas are lined up by the outside bar that serves up drinks from a Sunburn (twist on a tequila sunrise) to the Folly Island Iced Tea with Firefly sweet tea vodka, Peach Schnapps and Deep Eddy lemon vodka, lemonade and coke. There are also six frozen cocktails to choose from, which you can enjoy alongside a lunch of seafood baskets, mini corn dogs or shrimp po boys. Top off with a slice of Key lime pie.

Revelry

Downtown’s Revelry Brewing is a favorite local brewery of mine, so of course I had to check out its sister on Folly during my last beach visit. Wander down an unassuming alleyway and you’ll pop up in this pristine, trendy courtyard that features an outdoor bar and seating stocked with pastel pillows and blankets for comfort. Industrial-sized fans rotate while you sip on a variety of Revelry craft beers in addition to canned THC drinks or seltzers. It’s pup-friendly, as well, and you can order from a few selections on neighboring Bounty Bar’s menu, which you pick up at an adjoining window.

Rita’s Seaside GrilleThis classic family-friendly restaurant with a mural on the side of a ‘50s-style bikini-clad woman with a drink in hand is one my family used to go to for lunches during summer vacation, sitting in a booth by vintage artwork or sometimes out on the patio if the weather wasn’t too hot. Here, you can eat a hearty lunch to rebuild some of the energy the sun zapped away — from a classic cheeseburger or hot dog to shrimp and grits, a pulled pork plate or steak frites. As for the drinks, the Guava Frosé with a mint leaf on top is a great summertime refresher. There are four other frozen options, mimosas, sparkling wines and signature crushes. Yum!

Taco BoyTwo stories of taco eating await at this indoor-outdoor restaurant and bar. The top floor will give you the best ocean view, while a bar on the second floor offers a coastal breeze and a giant octopus sculpture. Down below, a tropical forest of plants grows to welcome you up the colorful stairs. Choose from a variety of taco options on corn or flour toritllas, or go for the tortillas, burritos, quesadillas or salads. Pair with a margarita — your options include a house, spicy, skinny, pineapple, hibiscus, blood orange, frozen or matcha. Or try the spiked coconut water or a classic Tecate with lime.

The Washout

For live music outside at night, The Washout is a great spot to be on Folly Beach. Enjoy local bands while sipping on a Holy City Washout Wheat; a great combo. Or, if you’re going during the day, try a cocktail from the Day Drinkin’ section of the menu, from a Sand Between Your Toes to a Midsummer Mojito to a Banana Hammock. Handhelds to pair your sipper with include a flounder sandwich, buffalo Caesar wrap and classic burger.

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FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCSC) - Days after Debby, areas of the Lowcountry are still underwater, while others are moving forward with projects that were put on hold to ride out the storm— including the Folly Beach renourishment project.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the folks behind the project, say they saw minimal damage from Tropical Storm Debby and are moving forward with work.

“The island did see some flooding from the roadways, however, that was mainly rain-induced. It was not surge induced, as we typically see with these tropical storm systems,” Army Corps of Engineers Project Manager Wes Wilson says.

The $18 million contract, provided by the Charleston Army Corps District, allowed the installation of 1.3 million cubic yards of sand and the start of dredging projects. The sand amount can be explained as 130,000 dump truck loads.

The project will protect from future coastal storm damage, dredge the Folly River navigation channel and place material on Bird Key to protect the critical bird habitat.

Wilson says the town, state and federal partners are understanding of how the storm season impacts work, so they are all flexible and willing to work around any impacts. Thankfully, for this storm, the only real impact was time, since the work shut down while the storm hit for the safety of the crews.

“We’ve been through this dog and pony with them the past 9-10, years. I feel like dating back to 2015 with one storm after the next. So typically, after this, we will do a windshield survey, quick site assessment, determine if there was significant erosion, any dunes being breached. And rain staying on the road, it doesn’t seem like that was the case this time,” Wilson says.

With so many potential threats to South Carolina’s coast, Wilson and his team say this project is much needed ahead of the next potential storm. He credits the prior renourishments with protecting the beachfront homes when Hurricane Ian and other storms hit in the past three years.

“It’s not even hurricanes and tropical storms that cause a significant amount of erosion on beaches. If folks can remember the December 2023 storm, Folly Beach had 20 to 30 feet of erosion on their beach,” Wilson says.

He anticipates the project will wrap in about two or three weeks, putting an updated completion date near Labor Day weekend. The Army Corps offers a project update site with live beach area closures for work, click here.

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Charleston-area barrier islands reported less erosion than initially anticipated from Tropical Storm Debby as officials assessed the shorelines during a lull in the storm Aug. 7.

Charleston’s beach leaders expected severe erosion throughout the week from Tropical Storm Debby as meteorologists predicted the storm would bring powerful winds, potentially historic amounts of rainfall and catastrophic flooding that could last for days.

And while Debby did bring excessive rain and storm force winds, it appears that preparations taken by officials in Folly Beach, Isle of Palms and Kiawah, Seabrook and Sullivan’s islands ahead of the storm have paid off, at least so far.

Tropical Storm Debby is loitering in the Atlantic Ocean before making an anticipated second landfall along northern Charleston County's coastline late Aug. 7 or early Aug. 8.

The National Weather Service's Charleston office reported that the potential for "life-threatening flooding" has decreased but advised that South Carolina isn't quite out of the woods yet.

An additional 6 inches of rain are anticipated through early Aug. 10.

Hurricane Wire

Some erosion reported near Breach Inlet

Flooding persisted on Palm Boulevard and the side streets of Isle of Palms, spilling into lawns and sidewalks.

On 25th Avenue, where a possible tornado brought down tree limbs and shingles, neighbors had already begun clearing debris from the road and lawns.

Handmade signs with the directive "go slow, no wake," written on them urged drivers to cautiously navigate the street, which was still full of standing water at noon on Aug. 7.

Several of the public beach access points remain flooded from when the storm made landfall Aug. 5, with waterlogged boardwalks making it difficult to get onto the shore.

Isle of Palms Mayor Phillip Pounds said the city had weathered Tropical Storm Debby relatively well, noting that some erosion did occur on the beach.

Breach Inlet on Isle of Palms side was the worst hit, Pounds said. During high tide, water lapped at the base of eroded dunes near 3rd Avenue, leaving little room to traverse the beach.

"There's some decent erosion on the Breach Inlet, although it didn't completely wipe out all the work that we've been doing down there in the last year," Pounds said, referring to the ongoing sand scraping efforts to restore the dunes on this part of the beach.

In preparation for Debby, city staff placed sandbags on the northern side of the beach near Beachwood East. Pounds said the wall of sandbags held up well in the rain.

More sandbags are on order, Pounds added, which will be placed on the Breach Inlet side of the beach later this month until the upcoming Army Corps beneficial use project is complete.

Damage seen on Sullivan's Island dunes

Intermittent bands of rain misted the island, where portions of Sullivan's Island were still flooded on Aug. 7. Beach accesses and side streets near the lighthouse on Ion Avenue were closed off with bright green cones blocking the roadway.

The Station 21 beach access was flooded around 10 a.m. The ocean had broken through parts of the dune system here, the vegetation soaked in salty water.

Rebecca Fanning, the town's director of resilience and natural resource management, said town staff had begun documenting the state of the dune system with photos.

"We did notice that some of the dunes that are in the most vulnerable places did get cut into, but certainly it was minimal disturbance to the dune system," Fanning said.

The dunes near Station 19 and Station 20 had been eaten into, Fanning said, along with some near the Breach Inlet side of Sullivan's Island. This section of the beach was hit hard by the December nor'easter and is on track to get more sand via the Army Corps' beneficial use project.

"We've still got a couple of high tides to go through before this is all over, but I think the worst of it is behind us already," Fanning said.

Hurricane Wire

Folly Beach erosion not as bad as could have been

On Folly Beach, where a large-scale beach renourishment project is underway, the island saw some flooded roadways from Tropical Storm Debby.

Progress on the nearly complete renourishment project stalled ahead of Debby's arrival.

City staff completed a ride through of the beach on Aug. 7 to assess the storm damage, Mayor Tim Goodwin said.

"As of yesterday we've lost some sand, I know, just from seeing previous days, but not as much sand as I thought we were going to lose," Goodwin said.

Goodwin said the damage is far less than the island experienced last December during the nor'easter. Folly Beach officials reported up to 20 feet of erosion following the winter storm.

Save for a handful of power outages, a few fallen trees and flooded streets, the city of Folly Beach held up well throughout the storm.

"We've been lucky. There's just no other way to say it. We were just lucky with this storm," Goodwin said.

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCBD) – It’s a popular tradition that many participate in right here along the South Carolina coast – braving the cold ocean temperatures for a quick dip (and we mean quick) to welcome the new year.

One of the first polar bear plunges dates back to the early 1900s when the L Street Brownies in Boston took the plunge into the icy cold Dorchester Bay in 1904. The club has been celebrating the new year with a plunge ever since, according to NationalToday.com.

While many take the dip for fun, some plunge into freezing waters to raise funds for charities. It’s also believed the dips boost the immune system, activate endorphins, and reduce stress.

Dunleavy’s Pub on Sullivan’s Island organizes its polar bear plunge each year in support of Special Olympics of South Carolina. The organization provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in myriad Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Plungers will gather on the beach for the pub’s 29^th annual polar plunge at 2:00 p.m. on New Year’s Day. Dunleavy’s Pub is located at 2213 Middle Street on Sullivans Island.

Over on Seabrook Island, plungers will gather for the town’s polar bear plunge at North Beach near Boardwalk 1 at 10:30 a.m. Attendees can then warm up near a bonfire while sipping on some hot chocolate.

Finally, Folly Beach will host its 10th annual Bill Murray Look-a-like Polar Plunge on the beach New Year’s Day. Hundreds of people attend the Polar Plunge each year, many of whom come dressed as their favorite Bill Murray characters.

There is a costume contest that starts at 12:30 p.m., and the plunge takes place at 1:30 p.m. beachside at the Tides Hotel.

Ocean temperatures are currently at about 56 degrees in Charleston Harbor. The temperature along the beaches is expected to be around 58 degrees under a mostly sunny sky on Jan. 1

Listen I often give North and South Carolina beaches a little heat over the ocean water. Once I experienced clear blue water in the Bahamas, I just haven’t been a fan of the ocean here. It just always seems to have a gray almost dirty color. Sure, right where the waves break it might be clear. But if I can’t even be a few inches deep and not see my feet- it’s not for me. But apparently, weather conditions have led to a clear blue color of the Myrtle Beach South Carolina water right about now. Myrtle Beach WPDE Meteorologist Ed Piotrowski has shared some photos and videos of the clear blue, almost Caribbean like water at Myrtle Beach over the last few days.

In the caption of the video posted above Piotrowski explained some of the reasons for the “aqua and azure blues”. “With no big storms offshore and light winds near shore, there’s less ocean turbulence so sediment settles to the bottom of the ocean”, he wrote. This minimal amount of sediment allows us to see “more of the ocean’s natural color which is shades of blue.” He also attributes the color to the reflection of the sky and light reflecting off the ocean floor. Additionally, a lack of phytoplankton in the water allows more of this natural blue color. So I was kind of right in that the water is typically “dirty” filled with sediment and plankton.

Pietrowski has shared two other photos of the water in recent days. And while I’m still slightly skeptical that these haven’t been edited at all, it is truly gorgeous. I’d love to experience clear blue water on the South Carolina coast. But unfortunately, I had already booked a trip to see some on the gulf coast of Florida this weekend. I’m not sure how long this will last but hopefully, I will get to see it at some point.

This South Carolina Beach Is One Of The "Greatest Beach Towns In America"

If you grew up in the Carolinas chances are you have a favorite beach town you grew up going to. Or one you take your family to now. We have no shortage of fantastic seaside escapes. Even growing up in North Carolina I have to admit I’m typically a South Carolina beach person. While I tend to go to the general vicinity of the Myrtle Beach area (thanks to friends who have houses and free is for me). I’ve already read quite a lot of these types of articles and now have several other SC beaches on my must-visit list. Just need to find the time to get to them! Recently I came across yet another publication naming some of the best beach vacation spots. And my interest peaked like always. And of course, somewhere in South Carolina was included when Thrillist created a list of “The 20 Greatest Beach Towns In America”. But with so many fantastic destinations, which made the cut to be recognized?

The list compiled by writers at Thrillist details 20 of the nation’s beach towns in a variety of states. In addition to a general summary of the destination, they also make sure to let you know the must-eat spots and what you can’t leave without. You can read their full article here. Or keep reading to see which South Carolina town was named one of the 20 Greatest Beach Towns In America! And a couple of others that stuck out to me as personal favorites of mine or bucket list destinations!

Melanie Day is a graduate of North Carolina State University. She has worked for Beasley since 2012 in a variety of behind-the-scenes roles in both digital and promotions. Melanie writes about a diverse range of topics some of her favorites include travel, restaurants, Taylor Swift, and college athletics. When not at work you'll find her at a country concert or NC State sporting event.

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Revelry Brewing has opened a new beach bar down an alley on Folly Beach featuring hammocks, an open air bar, and long couches featuring blankets and pillows.

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Zoe Abrusia and Morgan Eldredge hang out at Revelry Brewing’s new Folly Beach location on Jan. 19, 2024.

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Rob Davey climbs up on a ladder to change the name of a beer on the tap list at Revelry Brewing’s new location on Jan. 19, 2024, in Folly Beach. Henry Taylor/Staff

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Beer glasses customized for Revelry Brewing’s new Folly Beach location sit on the bar on Jan. 19, 2024.

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A red bulb illuminates the interior of a straw lampshade decorating Revelry Brewing’s new location on Jan. 19, 2024, in Folly Beach. Henry Taylor/Staff

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Two small hammocks hang from the rafters in the corner of Revelry Brewing’s new location on Jan. 19, 2024, in Folly Beach. Henry Taylor/Staff

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Olivia Bogle and Luke Morgan hang out on a couch in the back corner of Revelry Brewing’s new Folly Beach location on Jan. 19, 2024.

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A keg sits on a stand in a small side building at Revelry Brewing’s new location on Jan. 19, 2024, in Folly Beach. Henry Taylor/Staff

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Blankets and pillows adorn the couch seating area a Revelry Brewing’s new location on Jan. 19, 2024, in Folly Beach. Henry Taylor/Staff

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Customers chat at the bar at Revelry Brewing’s new location on Jan. 19, 2024, in Folly Beach. Henry Taylor/Staff

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Guests hang out on the couches and snap selfies in Revelry Brewing’s new location on Jan. 19, 2024, in Folly Beach. Henry Taylor/Staff

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Two South Carolina communities made Southern Living’s 15 best places to go on spring break.

Spring break for adults that is.

The magazine suggested Folly Beach and Beaufort would be ideal for an adults-only getaway, calling spring break a school-year tradition they wouldn’t mind keeping.

Also naps.

“If you’ve got kids, give them a week of adventure at one of the South’s many camps, or better yet, send them to Camp Grandma.”

Top of the adult spring break list was St. Petersburg, Florida, where “you get the best of many worlds — gorgeous white-sand beaches, a charming historic district, vibrant art, and delicious food — in this classic old Florida city.”

Number 2 was Folly Beach, which Southern Living called “the true gem.”

“Skip the crowds congregating around (Charleston’s) Rainbow Row and set up your own personal oasis on Folly Beach’s sandy shores,” Southern Living said.

Here are the activities the magazine suggests: watch surfers, paddle tidal creeks, fish from the Folly Beach Pier.

“It stretches 1,000 feet into the ocean and gives Folly Beach its nickname as the Edge of America,” the magazine said.

Originally constructed of Palmetto logs, the pier has had many lives. Most recently, it was rebuilt with pre-stressed concrete piles and reopened the day after Christmas in 2022.

Of Beaufort, Southern Living says, “this part of the South is especially lovely in the spring.”

The draws for an adult-only break? Hunting Island State Park, oak-lined streets of historic homes, fresh seafood, stunning sunset over the marsh.

“You’ll be planning your return trip before you’ve even made it halfway through your stay,” the magazine said.

Also on the list are:

#3 New Orleans “brings the party”

#4 95-mile Crystal Coast, North Carolina and its wild horses

#5 Texas Hill Country “grown-up grape juice”

#6 Little Torch Key America’s only private island resort Little Palm Island Resort and Spa

#7 Jekyll Island, Georgia “nature filled”

#8 Louisville, Kentucky before the Derby, see rolling green hills, bourbon distilleries, and historic Whiskey Row

#9 Amelia Island, Florida “little slice of untouched heaven” just outside the traditional raucous spring break locales

#10 Asheville, North Carolina “everything a great mountain town should be — beautiful and bucolic with just the right amounts of quirk and artsy funk”

#11 Austin, Texas “hits the senses immediately with its musicians and cosmic cowboys, flashing neon and brightly colored murals, tacos and barbecue, and quite the rebellious streak”

#12 Bardstown, Kentucky Bourbon Capital of the World’s 11 distilleries

#13 The Florida Keys 44 islands connected by the 113-mile-long Overseas Highway from Key Largo to Key West tiki bars to snorkeling

#14 Ocean Springs, Mississippi “artsy little Coastal Mississippi beach town”

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCIV) — The City of Folly Beach is trying to figure out who deserves a short-term rental license.

City leaders are working on logistics to put a cap in place. There are currently 955 investment short-term rental licenses, but the city has to get that number to 800 after a vote in February.

For people wanting a license in the future, Mayor Tim Goodwin said there are a few different options.

Read more: "Isle of Palms residents to decide on capping short-term rental licenses in upcoming vote."

First is the option for an investment short-term rental license random lottery system. Second would be a first come, first serve system. Third is a preferential system -- taking into account certain criteria.

Goodwin said he prefers a hybrid of random and first come, first served.

"I thought everybody who wants to sign up, sign up," Goodwin said. "You do a lottery for the first however many names that is. What your position is on that lottery, and then after that, it's just whoever signs up next in line, you go down the list."

Read more: "New ordinances could affect number of short-term rentals on Folly Beach."

Other city council members said it is dependent on what ordinances are passed first. They believe, in some cases, it's fair to the taxpayers to use preferential considering things like account residency status, residency length, and family relationships.

Short-term rental license owners wanting to pass down their license to an heir or beneficiary are asking the city if it is still possible with the cap.

It's still up for debate, but the mayor proposed an idea.

Read more: "Isle of Palms residents rally for cap on short-term rentals: Referendum to hit upcoming ballot."

"You would get one, but that couldn't go any further," Goodwin said. "That was just one time to your heirs as listed in the control group of family members."

Right now, there are two license options: an owner short-term rental or an investment short-term rental.

The city is considering replacing owner licenses with something called limited short-term rental licenses.

Read more: "Short-term rental regulations in Mount Pleasant could become stricter."

"The people in the community keep saying where's the waitlist? Well, we have to know what you're gonna wait on before we create a waitlist," Goodwin said.

This new category would base a license on the number of nights the property would be rented.

In this new category, properties would be limited to 72 rental nights per year.

Read more: "Folly Beach residents argue whether or not to limit short term rentals."

If they do this, they’d have to go back and look at investment short-term rental licenses to balance things out.

"The references to lowering the cap number is to offset another potential of limited license that would be added, so that is kind of where we are," Goodwin said. "The 800 would go to some other number for unlimited licenses and to accommodate the limited licenses."

Leaders said this new license would be a compromise.

Read more: "Task Force Tackling Short-Term Rentals in Downtown Charleston."

However, many council members saw more cons than pros.

The city council will discuss the waitlist and other ordinances in a special workshop on Jan. 9.

Their goal is to vote before the next business license cycle at the beginning of March.