The best family beaches in Edisto Beach are Edisto Beach State Park, the town’s public accesses, the beach at access 35 near the marina and the boneyard beach at Botany Bay, and for a week with kids the state park is the one to make your base. It has some of the best shelling in South Carolina, shark teeth turn up along the sand, and there are restrooms, showers and an interpretive center with a touch tank. Note that no Edisto beach has lifeguards, so plan to be in the water with younger children. The town beachfront is quiet and lined with rental houses, and Botany Bay is a striking half-mile walk to bleached driftwood that is worth doing once.
| Beach Name | Key Amenity | Booking Options |
|---|---|---|
| Edisto Beach State Park | Restrooms & Showers | View Details → |
| Beach access 35 at the Marina | Calm still water | View Details → |
| Botany Bay Boneyard Beach | Nature preserve | View Details → |
| Edisto Beach public accesses | Public beach accesses | View Details → |
Edisto Beach State Park
Edisto Beach State Park is backed by a campground and an interpretive center, and it is the beach for shells.
- The Beach: Some of the best shelling in South Carolina, and fossil hunting here really does turn up shark teeth.
- Key Amenities: Restrooms and showers, the interpretive center, camping and nature trails.
Beach access 35 at the Marina
Beach access 35 at the Marina is on the St. Helena Sound side of the island, near the marina.
- The Beach: A small, quiet stretch facing the sound rather than the open ocean.
- Key Amenities: The marina nearby.
Botany Bay Boneyard Beach
Botany Bay Boneyard Beach is three miles of shoreline scattered with sun-bleached dead trees.
- The Beach: A half-mile walk from the car park. Striking rather than practical, and worth doing once during a week.
- Key Amenities: The nature preserve and its walking trail.
Edisto Beach public accesses
The Edisto Beach public accesses are the main town beachfront, lined with rental houses rather than hotels or shops.
- The Beach: Wide at low tide and very quiet compared with the rest of the South Carolina coast.
- Key Amenities: Public beach accesses along the town.
FAQs About Edisto Beach Beaches
Which beach is best with toddlers?
The state park, for the restrooms and showers and the shortest walk from the car. None of these beaches has lifeguards, so stay in the water with small children.
Do these beaches have lifeguards?
No. Edisto Beach State Park says there are no lifeguards on duty (South Carolina State Parks), and we found no lifeguard service on the town beach either. Plan to be in the water with younger children.
When is the best time of day to go?
Mornings. Parking is still easy and the sand has not had all day to heat up, which matters with small children.
Edisto Beach is one of the seven towns in our ranking of the best South Carolina beach towns for families.
More Family Travel Guides for Edisto Beach: