Explore Edisto Beach

If you're looking for historic charm, a secluded beach, and an unhurried pace, look no further than Edisto Island. Edisto’s beautiful shore and serene marshes offer a quiet retreat from the constant rush of life, a haven for reconnecting with family and the special ones in your life. For those looking for recreational activities such as boating, fishing, fine dining or easy access to shopping and touring in historic Charleston, Edisto offers it all.

Families love exploring Edisto’s pristine 1255-acre beachfront state park, with extensive walking trails, an interpretive center and campsites. Edisto also boasts a newly renovated golf course and clubhouse on the beach, and serious golfers can tackle the acclaimed links at Stono Ferry and Kiawah Island within easy driving distance. Edisto Island safeguards its rich natural beauty and heritage. Wildlife preservation is a priority and the Island is a main sanctuary for endangered loggerhead sea turtles.

History

Edisto Island's Historical Legacy began with the imprint of the Edistow Indians - its first known occupants of the island. The Spanish arrived in the 1500's, followed by the English settlers in the 1600's. The English remained, first living off the sea, later cultivating money crops of rice and indigo.

By 1790, planters turned to a long staple cotton, known as Sea Island cotton - one of the finest cottons ever produced. With the high quality cotton came great wealth to the Edisto Islanders. Many of the elegant homes and plantations remain today as reminders of that affluent age.

Edisto is a quiet family island - a gathering place to renew the spirit and familial ties. It is a place of little commercialization with responsible development. We place a premium on keeping nature unspoiled in a harmony of friendly people. Picturesque scenery, undisturbed wildlife and perfect mild weather all year is a bow atop the entire island.

The ACE basin (including Edisto Island) is a paradise for those seeking a wide variety of seabirds, shorebirds, divers, waterfowl, songbirds, marsh dwellers and birds of prey. Boasting more than 250 species that either reside or migrate through the lowcountry.

Living alongside the large number of bird species on Edisto Island is an animal that comes from ancient sea reptiles from 100 million years ago. The loggerhead sea turtles uses Edisto Island as a nesting location. These loggerhead turtles are only one of seven sea turtles still in existence today.

Undisturbed wildlife is just one gift to the lowcountry, the other is the untouched wetlands, marshes, natural inlets and fantastic beaches. Some feel the island and its inhabitants have found a stitch in time - preserving things as they were intended.