There are several South Carolina locations with sandy coasts, great seafood, gorgeous live oaks, and a slower-paced way of life. The best trip to experience is Edisto Island Trip. There are other South Carolina locations worth visiting. One specific one of the state’s quaint communities welcomes guests with a sense of calm and an additional helping of Southern friendliness.
Only one hour’s drive from the peninsula of the Holy City is the South Carolina Sea Island of Edisto, whose topography, history, and inhabitants have produced a vibrant cultural attraction. “Time has moved and is moving very slowly on Edisto Island. Thaddeus Daise, who was born and raised on the island and is a commissioner on the South Carolina African American Heritage Commission as well as a director of the Edisto Island trip Open Land Trust, claims that there are no traffic lights, high rises, or chain restaurants there. The locals are welcoming, kind, and accepting of everyone.
Even though it is a well-liked tourist spot, Edisto Island is nonetheless closely tied to the past. The 68-square-mile island, named for the Edisto Native Americans who lived there in the 1500s, has a history of displacement and resiliency. Former slaves returned to the region after the Civil War to work as free people, and Black leaders established cooperatives to eventually buy the land. Many of the Gullah Geechee people, who are descended from the West and Central Africans who were forcibly taken over the Atlantic to labor on the area’s plantations, now reside on Edisto Island.
Visitors should use the chance to learn more about the roles the island and its residents have played in American history over several centuries, in addition to engaging in the usual beach-related activities, which are plenty. According to Gretchen Smith, director of the Edisto Island Historic Preservation Society, “The Edisto Island Museum is chock-full of interesting history of the island, and we have a brand-new permanent exhibit celebrating the rich Gullah culture that is such an important part of Edisto Island.”
Accommodations in Edisto Island Trip
According to Chelsea Harrison, executive director of the Edisto Chamber of Commerce, “There are no hotels here; only vacation rental homes and condos, which adds to its quaint charm.” Search for short-stay accommodations on Airbnb or Vrbo if you’re hoping to spend the night on the island; we’ve compiled some of the best listings below.
Relaxing Water View Home
Rent out this three-bedroom, 3.5-bath home on the island with your family or a bunch of friends. There are eight beds in total, and there is also a balcony and patio for extra space (and the chance to eat outside).
Villa on the Marshfront in the Trees
At this three-bedroom villa, you’ll have complete 360-degree marsh views. The inside is characterized by vaulted ceilings and “jungle surf” decor, and there are various outdoor porches where you may take in the sights and sounds of a Lowcountry evening.
Creek House
Booking a rental like this will allow you to unplug completely. The two-bedroom cottage has a front porch that overlooks a tidal creek, and visitors have access to a communal dock.
Sulla Sabbia
Sulla Sabbia, a four-bedroom house with a wall of windows facing the ocean, is the epitome of “beachfront” living. Because it can accommodate larger groups, the property can sleep up to 10 people.
Junglelow
Junglelow is a two-bedroom cottage with an outdoor shower, a wide deck, and a big screened porch that was built in 2016. The house has a fish-cleaning station in the garage and an open kitchen, which is ideal for guests who enjoy cooking.
Best Things to Do on Edisto Island
On a day trip, visit Edisto Beach
The serene 4.5 miles of beach that make up Edisto Beach trip are located on the island’s southernmost point. Visitors must pay the $8 state park admission charge in order to access the beach. However, the expense is justified by the opportunity to enjoy fantastic shelling, fossil finding, and breathtaking sunrises. Harrison thinks that to round off the ideal day, “I would go to the end of our beach, where the sunsets are absolutely gorgeous, with dolphin sightings and all.”
Visit the Hutchinson House and Edisto Island Museum to learn more about the history of the island.
Depending on the season, the Edisto Island Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. from March through October. A souvenir shop and booklets about the Gullah Geechee people and the entire island are available in addition to the exhibitions.
A visit to the Hutchinson House is another chance to learn about Edisto Island’s past. According to Daise, the Hutchinson House is the oldest former slave residence on the island. The Edisto Island Open Landtrust (EIOLT) is currently restoring the home. While the home is undergoing its final stage of repair, visitors can stroll around the property. The EIOLT reports that the house will be open to the public in 2024.
Take a guided boat excursion, go bicycling, or go on a hike to explore the island
You’ll want to explore as much of the region as you can, whether on foot, on bike, or by boat, to get the whole Edisto Island experience. Harrison suggests taking a “scenic boat tour of [the] creeks and marshes to experience the beauty of the ACE Basin,” and Botany Bay Ecotours provides a number of tours, including Edisto’s African American Journey, Beachcombing Walking Tour, and the Dolphin Boat Ecotour.
Best Time to Visit Edisto Island
Although Edisto Island has lovely beach weather in the summer, the best time to visit is in the fall. The weather is still perfect for being outside, prices are lower, and the beaches are less crowded, according to Harrison. There is also “no shortage of things to do with a ton of local events going on,” she continues. The Cookin’ on the Creek BBQ Festival and the Edisto Plein Air Paint Out are two fall activities happening this year; you can find all the events happening on Edisto Island here.
However, travelers should be advised that it is hurricane season. Although the hurricane season lasts from June to the end of November, hurricane activity normally peaks from late August to early September.
How to Get There
You can avoid most of the traffic in downtown Charleston by driving to Edisto Island from Charleston International Airport (CHS) in about 50 minutes, and it will take you about an hour and 40 minutes to get there from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV). Daise explains that there is only one way on and one way off the island, hence a vehicle is required to access the island.
How to Get Around
“There’s a reason why it’s called EdisSLOW. No one here exceeds 35 mph… even a golf cart or a bicycle can carry you wherever you need to go, claims Harrison. You can rent a golf cart from Island Bikes and Outfitters or Infinity Cart Rentals if you can’t bring your own. If you do, we encourage you to visit our website for some advice on proper local golf cart behavior.
