If you’ve never been to Pawleys Island, here’s what you need to know before you go: it doesn’t try to compete with Myrtle Beach. That’s the whole point.
Located just 25 miles south of the lively Grand Strand, Pawleys Island offers a relaxed atmosphere. With no stoplights, neon signs, or crowded boardwalks, visitors enjoy expansive, uncrowded beaches, serene marsh views at low tide, and activities that help you unwind. Families return year after year because the island naturally encourages slowing down, even for kids.
Whether you’re planning a long weekend or a full week, this guide covers the best things to do in Pawleys Island, from wildlife tours and world-class golf to the kind of shopping you won’t find at any strip mall.
Brookgreen Gardens
📍 1931 Brookgreen Garden Dr, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
Plan to spend at least half a day here; most people end up staying longer than they expect. Brookgreen Gardens spans more than 9,000 acres and features more than 2,000 sculptures by American artists, set along walking paths shaded by live oaks draped in Spanish moss. It’s the kind of place where you turn a corner and find a bronze figure you weren’t prepared for, surrounded by blooming gardens and the sound of nothing in particular.
Beyond the sculpture gardens, you’ll find a Lowcountry Zoo where you can get up close with river otters, American alligators, and a variety of South Carolina-native birds. Families with curious little explorers will love the Children’s Garden and the SC Brookgreen Detectives program, which makes exploring the grounds into a fun, interactive scavenger hunt.
The land itself has a fascinating story to tell. It was once part of the old rice plantation system that shaped this beautiful stretch of South Carolina coast, and the guided tours openly share that history. It really adds a meaningful layer to what might otherwise be just a lovely walk.
Huntington Beach State Park
📍 16148 Ocean Hwy, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
If you want the beach without the crowds, Huntington Beach State Park is where you go. The park sits just across the highway from Brookgreen Gardens, and the two make an easy full-day combination.
The beach here is wide and clean, backed by dunes rather than condos, with calm enough surf for kids but enough open water to make it feel wild. Birdwatchers consistently rank it among the best spots on the East Coast. The marshes and freshwater lagoons attract over 300 species throughout the year, and alligator sightings from the boardwalk trail are genuinely common.
Inside the park, you’ll discover Atalaya Castle, the cozy winter retreat of sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington. This charming Spanish-style building is quite unique for the Carolina coast, and exploring it offers a warm glimpse into who the Huntingtons were and why they cherished this special piece of land. Best of all, your park admission covers the cost of entering Atalaya.
True Blue Golf Club
Pawleys Island sits in what’s widely considered one of the top golf destinations in the country, with nearly 75 courses within driving distance. True Blue Golf Club stands out for its design, a Tom Doak layout that works with the natural landscape rather than forcing dramatic elevation changes. Wide fairways, waste bunkers, and native vegetation make each hole feel distinct, and the pace of play tends to be more relaxed than what you’d find closer to Myrtle Beach’s tourist corridor.
If someone in your group is new to the game, the Steve Dresser Golf Academy, based here, offers private lessons and multi-day schools for all skill levels. It’s a legitimate operation, not a gift shop add-on.
While you’re in the area, be sure to check out some other fantastic courses! The Caledonia Golf and Fish Club is a charming plantation-style course that often makes Golf Digest’s top 100 courses you can play, and Pawleys Plantation Golf and Country Club features a stunning Jack Nicklaus signature design, beautifully nestled among 200-year-old moss-covered oaks.
Experience Guided Eco-Tours in Pawley’s Island
You can see Pawleys Island from the beach, or you can see it from the water. The water version is better. Pawleys Island Guide Service runs kayak and boat tours through the inlet and creek systems that surround the island, putting you in the middle of habitats that most visitors never reach. On any given tour, you might spot bottlenose dolphins, loggerhead turtles, egrets, herons, or schools of fish moving through the shallows. The guides know this ecosystem well; they grew up on it, and they’re the kind of people who actually enjoy answering questions.
Fishing trips are available for everyone, whether you prefer inshore or nearshore adventures, so you can enjoy the water in a way that suits you best. If you’re visiting during the fall, be sure to ask about seasonal options; it’s an especially beautiful time to experience the inlet, which transforms completely by October.
Pawleys Island Chapel
📍 Reserve Marina, 20 Marina Dr, Pawleys Island, SC 29585
The Pawleys Island Chapel is a cozy wooden church on the marsh, welcoming visitors with its warm atmosphere since the late 1940s. It hosts non-denominational services every Sunday morning from June to August. Its weathered wood and open windows offer a peaceful view of tidal waters, creating a welcoming environment.
You don’t need to attend a service to enjoy a peaceful walk around the grounds. Many visitors stop by to sit quietly, reflecting Pawleys Island’s special atmosphere. It’s also popular among couples planning intimate weddings for a ceremony connected to the place, not just rented for the occasion.
Hammock Shops Village
Hammock Shops Village has been operating since the 1930s, and the Original Hammock Shop still weaves rope hammocks by hand, the same way it always has. Watching the process takes about five minutes and explains why a handmade rope hammock costs what it does. Most people who watch it end up buying one.
Beyond the hammocks, the Village offers more than 21 charming shops, including jewelry, clothing, local art, specialty food, and a few cozy restaurants nestled among the brick paths and majestic oak trees. It truly doesn’t come across as just a shopping center; it feels like a warm neighborhood that simply happens to have some delightful stores. If you’re looking for a nice spot to rest and enjoy a good meal, Rustic Table is a trusted lunchtime choice inside the Village.
Night Heron Park at Litchfield
Many visitors to Pawleys Island pass by Night Heron Park, missing a wonderful experience. It’s a peaceful nature haven just a short drive from the beach, with charming walking and biking trails through coastal habitats. You might see great blue herons, snowy egrets, and turtles along the trail edges. The loop takes under an hour and includes benches for relaxing and enjoying the water views.
Feel free to bring your bikes if you have them, or a book if you’d prefer something cozy to enjoy. This is a lovely time in the afternoon when you’ve had your fill of the sun but aren’t quite ready to head back to the rental yet, a perfect moment to relax and unwind.
Where to Stay in Pawleys Island?
How you stay in Pawleys matters almost as much as what you do here. The island doesn’t have big hotel chains or resort complexes, and that’s by design. The best way to experience Pawleys is from a beach house or coastal cottage, somewhere you can sit on the porch in the morning before anyone else is up, cook dinner together after a day on the water, and feel like you actually live somewhere rather than passing through.
Top picks for this area include Rays of Glory, a charming cottage with a breezy porch perfect for morning coffee; Big Bear Coastal Cabin, ideal for larger families looking for extra space and a private pool; and Clodhopper, which blends rustic charm with modern comfort for a peaceful island escape.
Whether you need two bedrooms or six, there’s something for every crew, and every stay comes with the kind of comfort and location that lets you truly slow down and enjoy Pawleys Island the way it’s meant to be.
