Destinations › Folly Beach vs Sullivan's Island
Folly Beach and Sullivan's Island sit about 10 miles apart in a straight line. Here they are side by side on getting there, parking, beach dog rules, free things to do and events, each from the towns' own pages.
Plan It in Three Lines
Pick Folly Beach
Folly Beach is a barrier island the visitor bureau calls The Edge of America, with colorful cottages, year-round surfing and a fishing pier. The visitor bureau puts Folly Beach 13 miles from downtown Charleston and 20 miles from Charleston International Airport, with 49 public beach access points.
7 things to doPick Sullivan's Island
Sullivan's Island is a barrier island about two and a half miles long, mostly residential, with historic sites and beaches. The town says the island was settled in the late 17th century by Captain Florence O'Sullivan, who was stationed there as a lookout, and was the site of the Battle of Sullivan's Island in the Revolutionary War.
10 things to do
Side by Side
| Folly Beach | Sullivan's Island | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Charleston County, Lowcountry | Charleston County, Lowcountry |
| Population (2024 est.) | 2,084 | 1,948 |
| Getting there | From downtown Charleston: leave Calhoun St. onto SC-30 W, turn left onto State Hwy 171, then right onto W Arctic Ave (distance and drive time not listed on that page; the bureau's beaches page lists 13 miles). | The Ben Sawyer Bridge is the main access, reached from Mount Pleasant via Highway 703 (Coleman/Ben Sawyer Boulevard); the second access is the Breach Inlet crossing on Jasper Boulevard from Isle of Palms. |
| Parking | East Arctic Ave on-street paid parking (through 5th St E): $3/hr | Public right-of-way (beach parking): No paid parking found on pages read |
| Things to do on our list | 7 (1 free) | 10 (0 free) |
| Dogs on the beach | Dogs are not allowed on the beach from 10 am to 6 pm, May 1 to Sept. 30. At all other times, dogs must be leashed and under control. Owners must pick up waste. No pets are ever allowed on the pier. | May 1 to Sept 30 (summer): 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. dogs may be off leash and must respond to voice command (ordinance text: leash in hand, no longer than 10 feet); 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. dogs are not permitted on the beach; 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. dogs permitted and must be leashed. Winter (Oct 1 to Apr 30): 5 a.m. to noon off leash, noon to 5 a.m. on leash. At all times dogs need a current Town dog permit and badge (visitors too), owners must clean up waste, and dogs must not chase shorebirds or disturb turtle nests. (not confirmed on the official page) |
More beaches: which South Carolina beach to pick.
FAQ
Is Folly Beach or Sullivan's Island better for a weekend?
It depends on what you want. Compare parking, dog rules, free things to do and events in the table, then open each guide.
How far is Folly Beach from Sullivan's Island?
About 10 miles in a straight line between the town centres (Census points); driving is farther.
Sources
- City of Folly Beach Rules & Regulations
- City of Folly Beach Parking & Maps
- City of Folly Beach History
- City of Folly Beach Bark Park
- City of Folly Beach Pier
- City of Folly Beach County Park
- Town of Sullivan's Island home
- Town of Sullivan's Island Administrator's Message May 2026
- Town of Sullivan's Island beach handicap access and parking
- Town of Sullivan's Island parks and protected areas
- Town of Sullivan's Island transportation
- Town of Sullivan's Island visitor page
Read on October 26, 2026. How we check: editorial standards; spot a mistake? Tell us.
Cite this page: It's South Carolina, “Folly Beach vs Sullivan’s Island”, itssouthcarolina.com/destinations/folly-beach-vs-sullivans-island/ (updated ). By the It's South Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.