Pool Repair in Folly Beach, SC

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCSC) - Leaders on Folly Beach are reviewing recommendations meant to help better preserve the city’s marshes amid rising sea levels.

The city is hosting a review of its five-year update to its marsh management plan Tuesday night. Experts studied the land and changes they recorded before making their recommendations.

Click here to learn more about Folly Beach’s marsh management plan.

Elko Coastal Consulting President Nicole Elko and her team worked to map all 7 miles of Folly Beach’s winding marsh shorelines to track changes over time.

“It does take us probably a month of solid working to get along the entire shoreline,” Elko said.

They use real-time kinematic GPS.

“It’s kind of like your navigation in your car, where it knows exactly where you are. We’re collecting information at different points along the marsh front and then mapping that,” Elko said.

Elko said the marsh front has evolved considerably since the last plan was published, and they’ve had several findings.

“Climate Change, increased flooding that we’ve seen along the marsh front,” Elko said.

They surveyed the marsh front to determine where the critical line exists. After that, the city implemented a 15-foot setback from that critical line, meaning nothing can be built within 15 feet of the marsh. New marsh-front recommendations include considering restoration options like living shorelines and thin layer placement.

“If you can imagine it as beach nourishment but within the marsh where we are broadcasting just a little bit of mud or sediment along areas of the marsh that might be sinking to kind of help them keep up with sea level rise,” Elko said.

Elko said the majority of marsh front property along Folly is privately owned.

“It’s difficult for the city to kind of manage the marsh front when they have to rely on a public-private partnership,” Elko said.

While Leonard Spann does not live along Folly’s shoreline, he works there every day. He believes the city should continue to prioritize preserving the natural beauty of the area.

“There’s good wildlife, nature out here,” Spann said. “I feel like they should focus on that.”

Elko said in South Carolina, the beaches have been measured and monitored for about 50 years, but marshes have been a bit overlooked until recently. Experts are now working to educate people about the need for more focus on marshes because that’s where a lot of flooding comes in.

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If you’re looking for a long weekend getaway that checks all the boxes — beaches, mountains, cute towns, great food — the Carolinas are hard to beat. And with Memorial Day weekend coming up, now’s the time to plan a trip that feels like the official kickoff to summer.

Here’s how to spend three laid-back yet adventure-packed days across North and South Carolina either solo or with family and friends.

Start your trip in the fresh, cool air of the North Carolina mountains. The weather is ideal this time of year. It’s warm in the sun and crisp in the shade. Not to mention the scenery is unbeatable.

Stay in: Blowing Rock, NC

This Blue Ridge town is small but packed with charm. It’s got indie shops, scenic hikes and cozy cabins that feel a world away from city life.

What to do:

In the morning, hop in the car and drive southeast to the South Carolina Lowcountry. It’s a bit of a haul (about 5 hours), but the route is truly beautiful and will give you a true feel for the Carolinas. Bonus: You’ll arrive just in time for golden hour.

Head to: Beaufort, SC

This coastal gem is often overlooked in favor of Charleston, but it has all the charm without the crowds. Think waterfront views, moss-draped oak trees and amazing seafood.

What to do:

No Memorial Day weekend is complete without some beach time. From Beaufort, you’ve got easy access to some of the most relaxed, crowd-free stretches of sand in the state.

Beach picks:

Or, if you’re in the Charleston area:

This long weekend isn’t about checking off a bunch of boxes, it’s more about slowing down, breathing in the mountain air, sinking your feet into the sand and enjoying some good food and sunshine along the way. Remember the best of the summer is yet to come.

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCBD) – Officials are expected to present the Folly Beach safety action plan to city council Tuesday, after a year in the making.

The city has been working with consultants at Kimley-Horn since June 2024, to address growing safety concerns on the island. The transportation and traffic safety action plan highlights four main goals – encourage safer speeds, maintain the city’s culture, improve communication and coordination, and serve a diverse population.

“This is the first time we’ve had a comprehensive plan that shows the areas we need to target on the entire island – to make the island safer,” Jenna Stephens, zoning administrator of Folly Beach, said.

The engineers analyzed data from 2017-2023 and found the city averages around 85 crashes per year. According to the study, a majority of the crashes included pedestrians and bicyclists. Though most of them were non-fatal, the city plans to address this issue.

Folly Beach held two public input meetings open to residents and people who visit the island regularly. Around 250 people participated, with many saying they felt uncomfortable traveling around by foot or on a bike. Transportation advocacy groups like the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments (BCDCOG) and Charleston Moves also attended.

In a support letter sent to the city, Katie Zimmerman, executive director of Charleston Moves, said the organization supports the plan and two resolutions to adopt it.

“Charleston Moves has appreciated the opportunities to participate in both the development of the City’s Safety Action Plan, as well as the stakeholder meetings and data collection for the Arctic Avenue Plan,” Zimmerman wrote. “Our region is one of the deadliest in the nation for vulnerable road users, with disproportionate impacts to senior citizens and Black communities. We support your efforts towards a safe and healthy city with a goal of eliminating fatalities and severe injuries from traffic collisions.”

City council will vote to approve the safety action plan and to amend a contract to scope out the Arctic Avenue project. The next steps will include applying for the federal “Safe Streets For All” grant.

“The problems is funding – this plan allows us to qualify for some federal grants and that is the plan right now. To use the safety action plan to apply for the ‘Safe Streets For All’ grant and to help fund some of our Arctic Avenue infrastructure proposals,” said Stephens.

City council will meet at 7 p.m. on June 10. They are expected to vote on two resolutions involving the safety action plan.

And it offers lots of amenities for sun seekers too.

In This Article

Any time spent at the beach is sure to put you in a vacation state of mind. And while there are many important things to consider when planning a trip, blue waters and white sand beaches always earn bonus points. The good news is that if you're heading to South Carolina with family or friends this summer, the beaches are all truly magnificent so there's no wrong decision.

The Best Girlfriend Getaways In South Carolina To Plan Now

The Bluest Water In South Carolina

Coligny Beach on Hilton Head Island is where you should head for the bluest waters. Hilton Head is famous for its beaches, so it’s no surprise that the waters here are extra beautiful. While a good amount of Hilton Head is home to high-end resorts with private beach access, Coligny Beach is open free to the public, which makes it one of the most popular places on the island. Read on to learn more about this spectacular spot.

What Makes Coligny Beach’s Water So Blue?

The sand on Hilton Head Island is bright white, blissfully soft, and very fine, and the water is shallow, especially at low tide. Both of these qualities can make the water appear sparkling blue. When the ocean is relatively calm and shallow, there is also less plankton, sand, particles, and other materials constantly churning in the waves, which gives the water a clearer appearance.

There’s a scientific reason as well, of course. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, this phenomenon occurs when light passes through water and absorbs colors in the red part of the light spectrum, leaving colors on the blue end of the color spectrum.

How To See Coligny Beach’s Water

Coligny Beach, the most popular public beach on Hilton Head Island, is a local favorite for more than its aquamarine waters. It’s easy to access, thanks to a beautifully designed park that includes a pathway and boardwalk that leads you straight onto the sand.

The Coligny Beach Park also has lots of amenities too: gazebos with swings, a fountain with synchronized jets, seating areas (including rocking chairs), beach matting for wheelchair access, outdoor showers, and a free parking area. The Breeze, which is Hilton Head's free public trolley, makes stops as well. (Just be sure to check the seasonal schedule.) It’s truly a beach that everyone can appreciate—for the magical color of the ocean, and more.