Folly Beach, South Carolina Area Information

No one knows Folly Beach like the locals.  We live here, on Folly Beach and have compiled a complete resource of local Folly Island information... giving you everything a potential home buyer may want to know.  Whether you plan to move here, buy investment real estate property or simply a seasonal home, you won't want to miss reading this important page.

On This Page You Will Find the Following Pertinent Folly Beach Information:
Click on an item in the list below to view it ... or scroll down through the page to see all the Folly Beach area information.

• Folly Beach Demographics
• Folly Beach Public Services (Schools, Hospitals/Healthcare, Local Government, Airports, Banks)
• Folly Beach Recreation (Beaches, Parks, Golf Courses)
• Folly Beach Culture (Theater, Museums, Festivals, Churches)
• Interactive Map of Folly Beach and Surrounding Geographic Areas

Folly Beach Demographics

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Folly Beach Public Services

• Schools
  The local schools for Folly Beach students are part of the James Island Constituent District of Charleston County. The schools offer elementary, middle and high school education. There is also a Corporate Academy.
   

  Harbour View Elementary School 1576 Harbour View Road Charleston, SC 29412-3223	Principal: Mr. Keith Mason Phone: (843) 762-2749 Fax: (843) 762-6207
  James Island Elementary School 1872 Grimball Road Charleston, SC 29412	Principal: Ms. Cathy Coleman Phone: (843) 762-8240 Fax: (843) 762-8250
  Murray-LaSaine Elementary School 691 Riverland Dr. Charleston, SC 29412-2724	Principal: Ms. Lara Latto Phone: (843) 762-2765 Fax: (843) 762-6203
  Stiles Point Elementary School 883 Mikell Dr. Charleston, SC 29412-5042	Principal: Mr. Stephen Burger Phone: (843) 762-2767 Fax: (843) 762-2773
  Fort Johnson Middle School 1825 Camp Road Charleston, SC 29412-3599	Principal: Mr. David Parler Phone: (843) 762-2740 Fax: (843) 762-6212
  James Island Middle School 1484 Camp Road Charleston, SC 29412-4059	Principal: Mr. Gary McDonald Phone: (843) 762-2784 Fax: (843) 762-6209
  James Island Charter High School 1000 Ft. Johnson Road Charleston, SC 29412-8898	Principal: Mr. Robert Bohnstengel Phone: (843) 762-2754 Fax: (843) 762-5228
  Septima P. Clark Corporate Academy 1929 Grimball Road Charleston, SC 29412	Principal: Mr. Kevin McClelland Phone: (843) 762-2774 Fax: (843) 762-6218

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• Hospitals / Healthcare
  The closest hospitals to Folly Beach are the Charleston Memorial Medical University of South Carolina and the Roper Hospital. Healthcare facilities in Folly Beach include an emergency physician, dentists and a chiropractor.
   

  Emergency Physician
  	Dr Toni Manos PO Box 49 Folly Beach, SC Phone: (843) 284-4911
  Dentists
  	Frank Beylote DDS 1010 E. Erie Ave. Folly Beach, SC 29439 Phone: (843) 588-0006 Christy Richardson DDS 110 East Cooper Ave. Folly Beach, SC 29439 Phone: (843) 588-0044
  Chiropractor
  	Dr. Deena Fawn Smith 83 Center Street Folly Beach, SC 29439 Phone: (843) 588-1230

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• Local Government
  Local government is administered by the City of Folly Beach Council with an annual budget of just over $3million and 34 employees. These employees include nine police officers and fourteen volunteer fire fighters. The City Administrator is Toni W. Connor-Rooks (phone number (843) 588-7006).
  
  For more details about the City Council’s activities and services, see www.cityoffollybeach.com.
  
   
• Airports
  Charleston International Airport lies just 17 miles from Folly Beach and provides around 63 flights daily to destinations such as Atlanta, Boston, Detroit and Orlando. Other public-use airports close to Folly Beach include;

  • Charleston Executive (5 miles)
  • East Cooper (20 miles)
  • Summerville (35 miles)

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• Banks
  The nearest banks to Folly Beach are just a short distance away in James Island, straight up Folly Road.  There are also ATMs in Folly Beach located at Bert’s Market, the BP Gas Station, City Hall and Holiday Inn.
   

  Bank of America
  	315 Folly Road James Island, SC 29412
  First Federal
  	1185 Folly Road Charleston, SC 29412
  South Carolina Federal Credit Union
  	1317 Folly Road Charleston, SC 29412

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Folly Beach Recreation

• Beaches
  Folly Island has six miles of beautiful beaches that are ideal for water sports, swimming, sunbathing and fishing.
  
   

  Folly Beach County Park Beach
  	Folly Beach County Park lies at the far west of Folly Island. The beach here is spectacular and includes amenities such as outdoor showers, restrooms and a seasonal snack bar. During the summer season, you can hire chairs, umbrellas and bicycles. Safety is also assured with the presence of lifeguards (summer only).
  Center Street Beach
  	The Center Street Beach extends either side of the Edwin S. Taylor Fishing Pier and lies in front of the Holiday Inn. The beach offers rental boogie boards and jet skis and is a popular location for tourists and locals. And if you are in the mood for a walk, the pier will take you more than 1045 feet into the Atlantic Ocean!
  Folly Beach Washout
  	For those who enjoy surfing, the Folly Beach Washout at the eastern edge of the city is a favorite. Check the local surf report and head to the beach for a wonderful day.
  Morris Island Lighthouse Beach
  	Continue east beyond the Washout and you come to the Morris Island Lighthouse. The lighthouse is no longer operational but is worth visiting to experience its idyllic setting just off the beach.  This beach is ideal for walking in the sand or shore fishing.

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• Parks
  As well as its excellent beach, Folly Beach County Park located at the southeast end of the island, offers riverside walks, seasonal retail outlets and a picnic area.  James Island County Park, on the other hand, is just a short drive from Folly Beach and has a range of family activities together with 643 acres of unspoiled beauty. The activities include a children’s playground, an off-the-leash dog park, a seasonal Splash Zone Water Park and a climbing wall. It is also possible to rent pedal boats, kayaks and bicycles.
   
• Golf Courses
   

  Charleston Municipal Golf Course
  	Located in James Island, this is the closest golf course to Folly Beach and one of the oldest in the Charleston area.
  Charleston National Country Club and Learning Center
  	Charleston National is a championship golf course set in an area of natural lagoons and marshland.
  Oak Point Golf Course
  	Set amongst the wetlands and creeks of Johns Island, Oak Point Golf Course is known as a Scottish-American style course suitable for inexperienced as well as veteran players.
  Ocean Course
  	Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course is renowned as a challenging experience. Ten of its holes run alongside the Atlantic and provide great views – and exposure to strong winds.

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Folly Beach Culture

• Theater
  Folly Beach has a vibrant theatrical scene. This is thanks to its resident professional theatre company, the Actor’s’ Theatre of South Carolina, who perform regularly at the Fine Arts Center.
   
• Museums
   

  Children’s Museum of the Low country
  	Boasting eight interactive exhibits, this museum is a hands-on learning environment for children aged three months to twelve years (and their families!)
  The Charleston Museum
  	Founded in 1773, the Charleston Museum has the distinction of being America’s oldest museum. Here you will find exhibitions that reflect South Carolina’s history and culture.
  USS Yorktown Naval and Maritime Museum
  	Situated at Patriots Point, Mount Pleasant, the USS Yorktown is a National Memorial to Carrier Aviation as well as the Congressional Medal of Honor Museum.

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• Festivals
  Besides fishing tournaments held regularly throughout the summer from May to September on Folly Beach Pier, the year is filled with festive events.
   

  April
  	Sun and Sand Festival, Centre Street
  May
  	Salsa Under the Stars, Folly Beach Pier For all those who love Salsa dancing. This event, like all the other dancing scheduled for the Pier, is in the open air and has a limited attendance of 550.
  June
  	Moonlight Mixer, Folly Beach Pier Dancing on the Pier to golden oldies and the latest beach sounds.
  July
  	Moonlight Mixer, Folly Beach Pier
  August
  	Moonlight Mixer, Folly Beach Pier Big Kahuna Fishing Tournament, Folly Beach Pier Gather at the Pier for the big fishing tournament of the season.
  September
  	Moonlight Mixer, Folly Beach Pier
  October
  	Salsa Under The Stars, Folly Beach Pier Children’s Halloween Party, Folly Beach River Park Experience spookiness and fun for the whole family at the park on Halloween.
  November
  	Annual Holiday Festival of Lights, James Island County Park This festival is a three mile drive through a wonderland of 2 million lights.  Lasts until January
  December
  	Christmas Parade The Christmas Parade is a tradition for everyone, tourists and locals, to enjoy.

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• Churches
   

  Folly Beach Baptist Church
  	77 Center Street PO Box 50 Folly Beach, SC 29439 Phone: (843) 588-9414
  Our Lady of Good Council Catholic Church
  	Corner of Center Street and East Indian PO Box 1257 Folly Beach, SC 29439 Phone: (843) 588-2336
  Folly Beach United Methodist Church
  	118 W. Indian Avenue Folly Beach, SC 29439 Phone: (843) 588-9174

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Maps of Folly Beach and Surrounding Geographic Areas

• Folly Beach
• James Island
• Charleston
• Johns Island
• Kiawah Island
• Mt Pleasant (north of Sullivan's Island)