The 15 Best Things To Do On Edisto Island, South Carolina

Where Southern charm meets beautiful natural surroundings and rich history, you’ll find South Carolina’s Lowcountry. Among beloved vacation destinations like Hilton Head, Beaufort, and Bluffton, the Lowcountry is home to several smaller towns that don’t get as much attention but are just as worthy of a visit. South Carolina’s Sea Islands, located just off the coast of the mainland, are exactly the types of under-the-radar beach towns that make the perfect getaway. On Edisto Island, pronounced ED-IS-TOE (kind of like Eddie's Toe), you won’t find any high-rise condos or hotels, chain restaurants, or neon signs. Instead, you’ll discover uncrowded beaches, scenic tidal creeks and rivers, and charming beach houses and rentals suitable and affordable for any group size. Just 42 miles from bustling Charleston, time has a way of slowing down on Edisto Island. As you cruise the 14-mile-long Edisto Island National Scenic Byway on the way into town, you’ll find yourself taking one big exhale. By the time you make it onto the island, any worries will be long gone. Here are the best things to do on Edisto Island.

Appreciate The Outdoors And Wildlife

Spend Time at Edisto Beach State Park

You may be tempted to spend your entire day on the beach at Edisto Beach State Park, and we wouldn’t blame you. The better thing to do is spend a day relaxing on the serene shoreline, then come back the following day to discover everything else the park has to offer. Wander along trails that take you through hammock islands, maritime forests, and eventually to the Environmental Learning Center. While there, take time to learn about the island’s history and the types of flora and fauna that call it home. If you keen to stay even longer, you can book a campsite or cabin, and spend the night.

southcarolinaparks.com/edisto-beach; 8377 State Cabin Rd, Edisto Island, SC 29438; 843-869-2156

Visit a Serpentarium

This zoo and education center focused solely on reptiles was the vision of brothers Ted and Heyward Clamp, who translated 50 years of snake hunting and adventure into the state’s first serpentarium in 1999. Home to incredible indoor and outdoor exhibits of alligators, turtles, lizards, and of course, snakes, a visit to this attraction is a one-of-a-kind experience.

edistoserpentarium.com; 1374 Highway 174, Edisto Island, SC 29438; 843-869-1171

Experience the Island’s Natural Ecosystems at Botany Bay

Officially called the Botany Bay Plantation Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area, this 4,630-acre tract of land is the most historically and ecologically significant property on the island. Formerly privately owned and the site of a plantation, the land is now managed by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Visitors can experience Botany Bay’s gorgeous natural ecosystems that include maritime forests, salt marsh, tidal creeks, freshwater ponds, and hammock islands. If you visit, be sure to spend time on the beach, where the elements have bleached fallen trees bone-white, creating a striking sight to see.

Bike the Edisto Island Bike Path

If you want to see Edisto Island the right way, ditch the car and its noisy engine and opt for the sweet nostalgia of traveling on two wheels. Bike rentals can be found at Edisto Essentials or Island Bikes and Outfitters. Once you’ve snagged a set of wheels, set out on the Edisto Island Bike Path, a five-mile, flat-terrain trail that takes you all over town. If you get tired along the way, there are plenty of shops and restaurants where you can take a quick pitstop to refuel or rest.

Explore The Island’s History

See the Edisto Island Museum Exhibits

Edisto Island has always been home to someone. The island got its name in the 1500s thanks to the Edistow Native Americans, but it has seen many lives since then. Learn all about the many people groups, from Native Americans to Spanish pirates to English settlers to wealthy cotton planters to enslaved people, who have lived on the island and influenced its development at The Edisto Island Museum. The museum’s newest permanent exhibit called “From Africa to Edisto Island: The Gullah Story” gives voice to the rich history of Gullah culture on the sea islands.

edistomuseum.myshopify.com; 123 Chisolm Plantation Rd, Edisto Island, SC 29438; 843-869-1954

Explore the ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge

A former rice plantation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service now protects this land that’s part of the larger 350,000-acre Ashepoo-Combahee-Edisto (ACE) Basin System, the largest undeveloped wetland ecosystem on the Atlantic Coast. Spend a day hiking or biking around the land that’s home to all kinds of wild species, from fish to migratory and resident birds to reptiles. Guests can also fish, hunt, and visit the Oak Grove Plantation House, a late-Federal plantation-style home that’s on the National Register of Historical Places and now holds the refuge’s offices.

Go Shopping Around Town

Buy Something for Everyone at the Shops of Edisto Beach

You’ll find two separate places to shop at one address here, which makes it an ideal place to spend an afternoon browsing. South Edisto Trading Co., also known as SET Co., offers branded T-shirts and apparel to commemorate your visit. At Sabal & Oak, find boutique clothing, accessories, and gifts.

shopsofedisto.com; 114 Jungle Road, Edisto Island, SC 29438

Find a Beach Read at Edisto Island Bookstore

Edisto Island may be small, but that doesn’t mean you’ll have to cross back over to the mainland to find everything you need for an outstanding weekend away. Any good beach trip requires an equally great beach read, and you can find the tome to match your mood at the Edisto Island Bookstore, which has been a fixture on the island since 1989. Inside the quaint shop, search through shelves of used and new books in every genre. Just be sure to give shop cat Emily Grace a little scratch under the chin before setting off.

edistobookstore.com; 547 SC-174, Edisto Island, SC 29438; 843-869-1885

Find Handmade Art at With These Hands Gallery

With These Hands has promoted the arts in Edisto Beach for more than 37 years. The gallery showcases local and national art across a number of mediums, including pottery, glass, paintings, photography, jewelry, metal, fiber, and prints. Inside the colorful gallery and shop, you can find something perfect to accent your home, be it a framed oil painting of a South Carolina sunset or a handwoven seagrass basket to display on your dining table.

withthesehandsgallery.com; 547 Highway 174, Edisto Island, SC 29438; 843-869-3509

Meet Locals at Revel Gifts & Gourmet Foods

Not just a specialty store, but a community gathering space, Revel is known for bringing the community together. Inside, you’ll find all kinds of gourmet food gifts from Bloody Mary mix to gourmet sea salt. You’ll also find a huge selection of gifts ranging from bath and body products to art to tableware. The real magic of Revel lies in its events. Stop by to hear live music on the porch, or come for Revel Reveal, where local artists have a chance to share their new work with the community.

revelshops.com; 438 Highway 174, Edisto Island, SC 29438; 843-631-1096

Try The Local Cuisine

Sample South Carolina Specialties at Briny Swine Smokehouse & Oyster Bar

If there’s two things the state of South Carolina does right its barbecue and fresh seafood. At Briny Swine, you can get excellent versions of both (hence the name). Celebrating the Southern traditions of oyster roasting and pig picking, Briny Swine offers a simple menu of smoked meats and raw seafood. For the perfect pairing, start with a half-dozen roasted oysters (topped with barbecue butter, roasted garlic and parmesan, or charred jalapeno), then indulge in the brisket plate served with two sides and a roll.

brinyswine.com; 3731 Docksite Rd., Edisto Beach SC 29438; 843-631-1460

Eat Like a Local at Whaley’s Restaurant & Bar

If you’re the kind of traveler who loves a local secret, then you’ll be right at home at Whaley’s, a former gas station that’s known for its top-notch seafood. Opened in 1948 (and one of the island’s oldest establishments), there’s nothing particularly fancy about Whaley’s, save the quality of the food. Order the crab cake or shrimp and grits. A tiki-style drink, listed on the menu as a “local libation,” is also a must.

whaleyseb.com; 2801 Myrtle Beach, Edisto Beach, SC 29438; 843-869-2161

Treat Yourself to Dinner at Ella & Ollie’s

The Plantation Course at Edisto, the island’s only golf course, offers stunning views and is a favorite for linksmen visiting the island. But its restaurant Ella & Ollie’s, owned by Brandon and Katherine Rushing, the same duo behind Briny Swine, is the universal winner. Focusing on seasonality and locality, the restaurant is a special occasion place that doesn’t feel stuffy. Though you won’t be prompted to wear a jacket to dinner, you’ll still get to dine on gourmet dishes like Wagyu beef carpaccio, pan-seared scallops, and grilled elk chop. Lowcountry influence in creations like Quail & Hoe Cakes and Grit Puppies with andouille, smoked gouda, and pepper jelly gives diners an elevated taste of the region.

ellaandollies.com; 21 Fairway Drive, Edisto Island, SC 29438; 843-869-4968

Enjoy Waterfront Seating at Coot’s Bar & Grill

If a meal with a view of the water sounds right up your alley, you’ve got two options: pack a picnic for the beach or head to Coot’s Bar & Grill. As the island’s only beachfront restaurant, you won’t find a better view than the one from the back deck of this casual eatery. Look out for live music and drink specials on most nights of the week. If you’re wondering what to order, you ca’t go wrong with their famous hamburger or a classic fried shrimp po’boy.

facebook.com/cootsbarandgrill; 102 Palmetto Blvd, Edisto Island, SC 29438; 843-631-1366

Buy Fresh Produce at George and Pink’s

The family behind George and Pink’s has been farming on Edisto Island for more than 50 years, which means their crops—and their business—have stood the test of time. Pull off Highway 174 onto the sandy Eddingsville Beach Road and you’ll find this produce paradise shaded under the arms of ancient oak trees. In the summer, you can pick up tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, okra, watermelon, peaches, and more. Each season brings a different selection. Once you’ve stocked up on fresh fruits and veggies to get you through your stay on the island, treat yourself to a slice of fruit pie or some boiled peanuts as a reward for your future healthy eating.

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