Charleston could get a number of consideration — it’s been named Journey + Leisure readers’ favourite U.S. metropolis in our World’s Greatest Awards quite a few occasions —  however there are numerous different South Carolina spots with sandy shores, contemporary seafood, magnificent reside oaks, and a slower-paced lifestyle. Of the charming cities throughout the state, there’s one particularly that embraces guests with a way of tranquility and an additional dose of Southern hospitality. 

Edisto Island, one among South Carolina’s Sea Islands, is simply an hour south of the Holy Metropolis’s peninsula — and its panorama, historical past, and folks have created a wealthy cultural vacation spot. “Edisto Island is a spot the place time has moved and is shifting very slowly. We have now no site visitors lights, excessive rises, or chain eating places,” says Thaddeus Daise, who was born and raised on the island and serves as a commissioner on the South Carolina African American Heritage Fee and as a director of the Edisto Island Open Land Belief. “The residents are pleasant, caring, and accepting to all.”

Whereas a preferred place to trip, modern-day Edisto Island can be deeply related to its previous. Named after the Edisto Native People who inhabited the realm within the 1500s, the 68-square-mile island has a historical past of displacement and resilience. After the Civil Battle ended, previously enslaved people returned to the realm to work as free women and men; cooperatives have been organized by Black leaders to finally buy the land. Immediately, Edisto Island continues to be residence to many within the Gullah Geechee group, descendants of the West and Central Africans who have been forcefully introduced throughout the Atlantic to work on the realm’s plantations. 

Together with typical beach-related actions — of which there are a lot — guests ought to take the chance to study extra in regards to the roles the island and its inhabitants have performed in American historical past over a number of centuries. “The Edisto Island Museum is chock-full of attention-grabbing historical past of the island, and we now have a brand-new everlasting exhibit celebrating the wealthy Gullah tradition that’s such an essential a part of Edisto Island,” says Gretchen Smith, director of the Edisto Island Historic Preservation Society.

Whether or not you’re desirous about visiting for a weeklong seaside getaway or a fast day journey from Charleston, learn on to find the place you must keep, eat, and discover on Edisto Island. 

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The place to Keep on Edisto Island

“There aren’t any motels right here, solely trip rental houses and condos, which provides to its quaint allure,” says Chelsea Harrison, government director on the Edisto Chamber of Commerce. In case you’re seeking to keep in a single day on the island, search Airbnb or Vrbo for short-stay leases — we rounded up just a few of one of the best listings under. 

Stress-free Water View Dwelling

Seize your loved ones or a gaggle of mates and lease out this three-bed, 3.5-bath residence on the island. It sleeps eight complete, and there’s even a deck and patio for additional room (and the chance to dine al fresco). 

Marshfront Villa within the Bushes 

If you would like 360-degree marsh views, you’ll get them at this three-bedroom villa. Vaulted ceilings and “jungle surf” decor outline the general appear and feel of the inside, and there are a number of outside porches the place you possibly can take in the sights and sounds of a Lowcountry night. 

Creek Cottage

That is the kind of rental you guide to actually unplug. The 2-bedroom cottage is outfitted with a entrance porch dealing with the tidal creek, and friends can entry a shared dock. 

Sulla Sabbia

It doesn’t get extra “beachfront” than Sulla Sabbia, a four-bedroom residence that includes a wall of home windows overlooking the ocean. The property is right for bigger events, as it might sleep as much as 10 folks. 

Junglelow

In-built 2016, Junglelow is a two-bedroom cottage that boasts a big screened porch, an outside bathe, and a large deck. Excellent for guests who like to prepare dinner, the house additionally options an open kitchen in addition to a fish-cleaning station within the storage. 

Greatest Issues to Do on Edisto Island

Spend a day at Edisto Seaside.

On the southern finish of the island, you’ll discover Edisto Seaside and its 4.5 miles of peaceable shoreline. To entry the seaside, guests have to pay the $8 entrance charge to enter the state park. The price is price it, although, as you will have the prospect to expertise wonderful shelling, fossil searching, and unimaginable sunrises. “To spherical out the proper day, I might head to the tip of our seaside the place the sunsets are completely attractive, outfitted with dolphin sightings and all,” says Harrison.

Dive into the island’s historical past on the Edisto Island Museum and the Hutchinson Home.

The Edisto Island Museum’s hours range based mostly on the time of yr, however from March by October, it’s open Tuesday by Saturday from 12 p.m. to five p.m. Together with the exhibitions, there’s additionally a present store and books on the Gullah Geechee group and the island in its entirety. 

One other method to study Edisto Island’s previous is to go to the Hutchinson Home. “The Hutchinson Home is the oldest residence of a former slave on the island,” says Daise. “The home is presently being restored by the Edisto Island Open Landtrust (EIOLT).” There’s a path across the grounds that guests can discover whereas the home undergoes its remaining part of restoration, and, in keeping with the EIOLT, the plan is to open the home to the general public in 2024. 

Head to Botany Bay, the island’s nature reserve.

“The highway resulting in [Botany Bay] is among the most photographed on the island,” says Smith. Throughout the 4,600 acres of the Botany Bay Plantation Wildlife Administration Space, there are two former plantations in addition to a number of outbuildings, freshwater ponds, a seaside, and a maritime forest. “The seaside is usually known as ‘Boneyard Seaside’ as a result of [of] the fallen timber which were bleached out by the solar and climate,” says Daise.  

Deliver the entire household to the Edisto Island Serpentarium.

Combining training and journey, the Edisto Island Serpentarium homes greater than 20 grownup American alligators, many several types of turtles, venomous and nonvenomous snakes, and three completely different lizard species. “The Serpentarium is nice for youths and adults who like snakes, gators, and so forth. They do a very nice job, particularly with their shows on snakes. They do one on gators, too, together with [daily] feedings,” says Smith. 

Discover the island by mountaineering, biking, or taking a guided boat tour. 

To get the total Edisto Island expertise, you’ll wish to see as a lot of the realm as doable, whether or not by foot, bike, or boat. Harrison recommends a “scenic boat tour of [the] creeks and marshes to expertise the fantastic thing about the ACE Basin,” and Botany Bay Ecotours gives a wide range of applications, together with Edisto’s African American Journey, Beachcombing Strolling Tour, and the Dolphin Boat Ecotour. 

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Greatest Eating places on Edisto Island

Ella & Ollie’s

Ella & Ollie’s, or “E & O’s,” seems on most Edisto Island guides — and with good purpose. “They use native contemporary seafood and produce as a staple on the restaurant,” says Daise. Led by Brandon and Katherine Speeding, the restaurant’s dinner menu options objects like tomato pie, shrimp and grits, and she-crab soup. 

Briny Swine

The Rushings additionally personal Briny Swine, a smokehouse and uncooked bar restaurant that is “equally price trying out,” in keeping with Daise. Buttermilk hoe desserts and buffalo blue cheese fried oysters are served alongside ribs, wings, and pulled pork sandwiches. Simply ensure that to avoid wasting room for the dessert choice, which incorporates Southern classics like coconut cake and banana pudding. 

Whaley’s Retailer

In a constructing that after served as a gasoline station and comfort retailer, Whaley’s serves up seafood and dive bar meals to each island locals and guests. Burgers, fried mahi-mahi bites, fried dill pickle chips, and oysters are all on deck. Whaley’s additionally hosts karaoke on Monday nights in addition to reside leisure all year long. 

Edisto Seafood and Flowers Seafood Firm

In case you don’t wish to eat at a restaurant, there’s another choice. “Our two native seafood retailers, Edisto Seafood and Flowers Seafood Firm, promote shrimp contemporary out of the ocean so that you can put together your self,” says Harrison. “Attempt it in a Lowcountry Boil if you wish to eat just like the locals.”

The SeaCow Eatery

For what Daise calls the “very best breakfast on the island,” make your method to The SeaCow Eatery. Open for greater than 25 years — though it’s modified arms just a few occasions — The SeaCow is the place you go for a considerable breakfast. “Moo La La” French toast, “Moo Mania” residence fries topped with eggs, mushrooms, onions, and sausage gravy, and the six-egg John’s Omelet are equally as scrumptious as they’re unforgettable. 

Greatest Time to Go to Edisto Island

Summer time could have lovely seaside climate, however fall is one of the best time to go to Edisto Island. “Temperatures begin to cool however the climate continues to be nice for getting outdoor, charges are decrease, and the seashores are much less crowded,” says Harrison. Plus, she provides, “There isn’t a scarcity of issues to do with a ton of native occasions happening.” This yr, fall occasions embody the Cookin’ on the Creek BBQ Competition and the Edisto Plein Air Paint Out; all Edisto Island happenings might be discovered right here. 

Vacationers ought to, nevertheless, pay attention to hurricane season. Hurricane exercise usually peaks from late August to early September, however the season runs from June by the tip of November. 

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The way to Get There

Charleston Worldwide Airport (CHS) is a couple of 50-minute drive from Edisto Island — you’ll skip a majority of the downtown Charleston site visitors — and the drive from Savannah/Hilton Head Worldwide Airport (SAV) will probably be round an hour and 40 minutes. “It’s a technique on and a technique off,” says Daise, which implies you’ll want a automobile to get on the island itself. 

The way to Get Round

“We name it ‘EdisSLOW’ for a purpose. Nobody goes over 35 mph right here… and you may get anyplace you have to in a golf cart or [by] bike,” says Harrison. Whilst you can’t carry your individual golf cart, you possibly can lease one from Island Bikes and Outfitters or Infinity Cart Leases. “Please try our web site for some tips about native golf cart etiquette in the event you do,” she provides.