CocoaCarolina
South Carolina beach at sunrise with golden light

Sun, Sand & Soul

The Carolinas' Most Beautiful Beaches

From the wild dunes of the Outer Banks to the Gullah Sea Islands of South Carolina — these shores have always been ours.

Sacred Ground

The Gullah Geechee Sea Islands

The Sea Islands of South Carolina and Georgia are home to the Gullah Geechee people — descendants of enslaved West Africans who preserved a rich culture of language, food, art, and spiritual tradition. These islands are not just beautiful beaches. They are living history.

What to Know Before You Go

  • Visit the Penn Center on St. Helena Island — one of the first schools for freed enslaved people in the US, now a National Historic Landmark.
  • Support Gullah artisans selling sweetgrass baskets in Charleston's City Market — a tradition passed down for generations.
  • Take a guided Gullah heritage tour rather than exploring independently — your dollars support the community and you'll learn far more.
  • Try Gullah cuisine: red rice, frogmore stew, benne wafers, and shrimp perloo are all rooted in West African cooking traditions.
Explore Gullah Heritage Tours
Gullah Geechee Sea Islands coastal marsh South Carolina

Beach by Beach

Hilton Head Island
Polished & Peaceful
Family-FriendlyGullah HeritageLuxury

Hilton Head Island

South Carolina

Wide, flat beaches with hard-packed sand perfect for biking. The island has deep Gullah Geechee roots — explore the Mitchelville Freedom Park, the first self-governed freedmen's town in the US.

Cocoa Pick: Mitchelville Freedom Park for history, then Coligny Beach for the sunset.

Folly Beach
Laid-Back & Lively
NightlifeSurfingBudget-Friendly

Folly Beach

South Carolina

Charleston's beloved 'Edge of America' — a funky, unpretentious beach town with great surf, cold beer, and the best fish tacos in the Lowcountry. Easy day trip from downtown Charleston.

Cocoa Pick: Sunrise at the Folly Beach Pier, then brunch at Lost Dog Café.

Myrtle Beach
Festive & Fun
Family-FriendlyNightlifeBudget-Friendly

Myrtle Beach

South Carolina

The Grand Strand stretches 60 miles of Atlantic coastline. Myrtle Beach has historically been a beloved destination for Black families — the legacy of Atlantic Beach, the 'Black Pearl,' lives on nearby.

Cocoa Pick: Visit Atlantic Beach (just north of Myrtle) — the original Black beach resort town, founded in the 1930s.

Outer Banks
Wild & Untamed
NatureHistoryRoad Trip

Outer Banks

North Carolina

A 200-mile chain of barrier islands with wild horses, the Wright Brothers Memorial, and some of the most dramatic coastal scenery on the East Coast. Corolla and Duck are the quieter, more upscale ends.

Cocoa Pick: Drive to Corolla at dawn to see the wild Colonial Spanish mustangs on the beach.

Wrightsville Beach
Clean & Classic
Family-FriendlyWater SportsUpscale

Wrightsville Beach

North Carolina

Consistently ranked one of the cleanest beaches in the US. Crystal-clear water, excellent kayaking and paddleboarding, and a charming beach town feel just minutes from Wilmington.

Cocoa Pick: Rent a paddleboard from Wrightsville Beach Supply Co. and explore the Intracoastal Waterway.

The Cocoa Packing List

  • SPF 50+ sunscreen — yes, melanin needs protection too
  • A wide-brim hat for that golden-hour glow
  • A cooler stocked with Gullah red rice and sweet tea
  • Your CocoaCarolina tote (obviously)
  • A waterproof Bluetooth speaker for the playlist
  • Cash for Gullah artisan vendors — they rarely take cards

Ready to Hit the Shore?

Download our free Coastal Carolina guide — beach-by-beach breakdowns, Black-owned restaurants nearby, and the best times to visit.

Get the Coastal Guide