APTLY NICKNAMED “EDISLOW” IS THE PERFECT PLACE TO GET AWAY
By Liz Gunn || One summer, after my junior year of college, I was invited to join some friends for a long weekend in Edisto. Oddly enough, even as a South Carolina native, I had never heard of Edisto. I grew up enjoying Horry, Georgetown and occasionally Charleston County beaches – purely out of proximity – but I never even knew this place existed.
My roommate and I got lost on the way there. Little did I know this wouldn’t be the last time I would get lost going to Edisto. It’s actually not the easiest place to get to, with its narrow, two-lane roads that seem to wind on and on indefinitely. Just when you feel like you’re there, you still have ten more miles to go.
It’s always worth the trip, though. My then boyfriend, now husband, bought into a house there in 2004, and it has since become our favorite refuge from the chaos of everyday life. With the exception of summertime, when Edsito does fill up with hordes of families and some tourists, it feels like a sleepy little island town.
For a somewhat secluded place, it actually has a lot to offer. You won’t find any amusement parks or outlets malls (thank God) but there is plenty to do and see. You can charter a boat and do some fishing or head to Botany Bay for some of the most beautiful scenery God ever created. There are golf carts and bicycles for rent, and the island is relatively small so you could feasibly park the car for the entirety of your trip.
There is one golf course, right in the middle of the island. Bring your sticks if you’re into that. The Plantation Course, designed by Tom Jackson, is ranked as one of South Carolina’s top 25 courses according to Golf Illustrated Magazine.
When you’re hungry, you can head to one of South Carolina’s best dive seafood joints, according to Coastal Living Magazine. Whaley’s Restaurant & Bar doesn’t look like much from the outside, and maybe even less once you walk in the door – but the food is fantastic. I highly recommend the ahi tuna nachos as an appetizer and the steam pot for dinner. If you like fried seafood, it is said to be exceptional, too.
They’re open for lunch and dinner, every day. They also offer really great cocktails and stay open pretty late most of the time. On weekends, they often have live music – especially in the summer.
If you’re looking for something with a little more atmosphere and perhaps the best view – try Sunset Grille. It’s upstairs at Edisto Marina, and it really is the best place to watch the sun go down…hence the name. They offer complimentary shrimp dip and the menu is mostly what I would call classic southern seafood– nothing too fancy. They typically have great fish specials, though, and I usually order one of those.
For breakfast there is only one option I ever consider. You must eat at The Sea Cow. I know breakfast is breakfast to some people – but the only place I’ve ever had breakfast as good as The Sea Cow is in the French Quarter neighborhood of New Orleans…and that’s not even fair.
There is almost always a wait, even in the off-season. If you’re starving, and you very well may be by the time you get seated, order the “Moo Mania” or the “John’s Omelet”. I’ve never been able to put a dent in either one, but they’re both fantastic. My husband is very fond of their “Moo La La French Toast”.
The tap water in Edisto, while not great for drinking, makes the best grits you’ve ever had – so be sure to order some of those while you’re at it, or make some for yourself. If you do decide to dine at home, stop by pick Flowers Seafood on the way in. If you stop by in the afternoon you can get fresh fish and shellfish that were caught that morning.
There is plenty to do and lots of good food choices, but my favorite part about Edisto is the vibe. It might even make you nostalgic for the vacations of your childhood. Its un-commercialized, relaxed way of life has always been good for my soul when I needed it most.
Liz Gunn is a wife, mom, travel enthusiast, food snob, daydreamer and lifelong Gamecock fan. A graduate of the University of South Carolina, she lives in Columbia, S.C. with her husband and daughter.
67 comments
SssHhh. Don’t let everyone know. That’s my home away from home.
They know me at Whaley’s.
I know, I felt a little guilty posting this one.
Yeah, if you like looking at ocean water that resembles dirty dishwater.
Weren’t you just bragging on the OBX? Water looks the same there, too.
I’ve been able to see 8 feet down at Kitty Hawk before,
Never experienced that in that dish water shit you call the coast of South Carolina.
I saw bottom in 10 feet about a month ago..get this..on the Wando.
But if that works for you, I’m all for anything that will keep you yanks from moving here and telling me how great it is somewhere else.
Kitty Hawk also has mighty fine fishing … It’s even better a bit south and west. They got fishy water there, too.
Most of our beeches in South Carolina have associated rivers that dump soil and runoff of all manners in the water. That affects the water quality in a variety of ways, clarity being one of them.
We have a place in Oak Island, NC. The Cape Fear River dumps into the water north of our place and the water is always “dirty”. When I feel froggy, I run my little john boat across the bay, out the mouth of the river and around Bald Head Island into “Frying Pan Shoals”. The water turns frown typical dirty brown to crystal clear blue as soon as I hit the edge of the river current 1/2 to a mile off shore.
Get out past the breakers a way (1/2 to 2 miles) on any of our beaches and the turbidity drops, the particulates settle and the water clears right up. On the Outer banks (as in most of NC and SC), the sand and shore line currents are of a nature that the sand remains suspended in the column adding to the problem – the Keys don’t have this problem.
That’s ’cause there are fish in it … Duh! & Hooray!
You want to see fish do you?
Then go to the Keys!!!!!
There are more pan sized fish off the Carolinas than the Keys … and just about anywhere else in the world.
(I intend to prove this point one day … with any luck (-: }
Edisto has some good points, but gem? No. Normally full of low end types, or at least they act like it. While there are some decent watering holes, the food on island ain’t much to speak of. Golf course is good. Beach not one of SC’s best, especially since it was re-nourished. State park is good. But the island has far too many people and cannot compare in beauty to Fripp, Kiawah, Hunting, etc. However, I would spend a year in Edisto before I’d spend a day in Myrtle.
The best out of those islands (Fripp and hunting) is the one just before Hunting, which is Harbor Island. Small, secluded, gated, and not a single reject from the Redneck Rivera of Myrtle Beach. On a “busy” day on the beach you might see a total of 50 people on the whole beach.
Agreed except the “beach” on Harbor is five thousand yards wide. The last time I visited I headed out to the beach with a six-pack. When I sat down in my chair I was out of beer.
TBG sometimes has powerful thirsts like that also. Salty coastal air seems to make beer evaporate faster.
That’s funny!!!!
I get a million times more pleasure out of a quick trip (boat availability only) to either side of Caper’s/Dewees, and then going back home to sleep in my own bed in my own house 5 miles away.
I don’t know how/why you people who live in Columbia stay there. I guess I’m just glad you choose to.
Always thought the beaches sucked at Edisto with all the erosion.
They actually fixed that several years ago – not sure when the last time you visited was. The beaches are great, now.
More Socialism!
Why should the government pay for rebuilding the beach?
Turn the whole thing over to some developer to build some apartments.
“Free Enterprise!”
Yeah. Destroy all the trees and pave it all over. Yay, free enterprise!
btw, more times than not, those “free enterprise” loving “developers” find a way to get the gubmint to rebuild the beaches for them so they get more for the apartments, so cut the dishonest bullshit.
Correct.
Who was that homeowners association or condo owners group/developer that got a state represenative to pull some strings for a jetty or something like that to keep their valuable houses from washing away here in SC?
It made the news a year or two ago.
Just off the top of my head, I believe that was my homie from my old ‘hood, mush-mouth goober US congressman Tom Rice. who pulled that off for some rich constituents.
It’s nice. But it was much nicer when the Edistos still had it.
If you like fried seafood,…
Back in the day, the BEST FRIED SEAFOOD EVAH[!!] required a 10 mile backtrack to the Jacksonboro Motel Seafood Restaurant. Always a line, but you could BYOB while waiting. #Nostalgia
Now you’ve ruined everything. Did you stop and think of what will happen if all 15 of FITSNEWS readers show up on the same weekend?
Tango sashaying down Jungle Road in Speedos.
Branton vandalizing gas pumps at the marina.
The Neo-Conservative posters allied with the Neo-Confederate posters building fortifications at Bay Point and Eddingfield to keep out Jihadists and Ohioans, respectively.
“SCBlues and SCBluewoman noticing that Edisto is warmer than home and citing this as PROOF of man-made climate change.”
I’ve got to stop posting so much on here! First The Colonel was referencing me the other day and now TBG – don’t want my brand to become overexposed and trite! :)
Although I do love my TBG – even though we got off to sort of a rocky start! Okay, okay – The Colonel . . . .I love you too!
Yes – I am filled with love today!
…even though we got off to sort of a rocky start!
Please cite your sources.
TBG keeds!
TBG keeds!
Where’s the love for me? I’m feeling kinda needy tonight.
“Where’s the love for me? I’m feeling kinda needy tonight.”
Need no more my beloved Buz! (Is that too much?)
Got me wrong there TBG.
Wrightsville,Salter Path and other unnamed coastal communities in a REAL state (North Carolina) are where I go for my saltwater fix – not to mention the Outer Banks
Then there is pretty much the whole coastline of Florida and there is NO WHERE on the ENTIRE coast of South Carolina that compares to the Florida Keys
South Carolina coast = overpriced, overrated and full of itself (much like scads of South Carolina “natives”).
Absolutely.
Florida’s coast rules.
Agree on the Florida Keys, ‘cept they don’t have beaches. Sanibel Island and and the Gold Coast (Destin) more than make up for it.
There’s a damn nice beach about half way down the Keys highway. It’s in a state park but I forget which one it is. It’s not Pennekamp and not far from part of the old highway. The water is beautiful to say the least. Damn near Caribbean in appearance.
Destin’s is nice but kinda pricey (or was when we were there)
We spent a great week at Amelia island back in September
The state park on the north end of the island (the one with the fort) has a long pier and a fantastic beach and hardly no one on it.
Yep Florida’s got it all when it comes to coastal stuff.
The Outer Banks is equally beautiful but obviously in a different way (especially the National Seashore)
It’s crazy, you can easily get to Daytona in 7 hours or less from the Upstate & Amelia in around 6. But no matter how you go, the Outer Banks is 8 hours and you hit “the wall” around the 7th hour!!!
Been going to the OB since 1974 – it sure has changed but I still enjoy the OB ONCE i get there!!!
The water is beautiful to say the least.
When TBG went to Florida as a papoose, he didn’t think the emerald and turquoise water was “real”. Same water’s off of SC…but you’ve got to get offshore several miles, usually.
About 40 – 60, from what I remember.
But when we dig up limestone on Folly in the early spring, we get blue water there, too!
I believe you speak of Bahia Honda.
For someone who appreciates the finer places HOW DID YOU PICK SPARTANBURG!!!!!!!!!!!!
He like murder, mexicans, meth, and mayhem?
North Charleston must have been full?
“North Charleston must have been full”
Ouch!
Edisto: One big “meh”.
It’s for people who think they are cool by pretending to enjoy themselves by having less.
And yes, I’ve been there. Many times.
And yes, I’ve been there. Many times.
TBG has even *accidentally* been to Edisto.
Many, many moons ago, after a long day offshore (out of Charleston) at 226, someone (not TBG, for once) punched in numbers for the “A” can instead of the “C” buoy……
oops.
Well..at least you didn’t run out of gas.
“It’s for people who think they are cool by pretending to enjoy themselves by having less.”
I guess walking around Myrtle Beach filled with Teeny Boppers and drunks and eating cotton candy is the real meaning of cool, huh? I think I’ll stick to pretending down at Edisto.
Uh..no. I always thought that was a Columbia inhabitants destination? I haven’t been to Myrtle since I went to the opening of the Bass Pro Shops.
But I can get away from civilization for as long as I care to by taking a boat ride to Capers / Dewees. There’s usually no one at Prices Inlet (on either side), and that’s about 3-5 mile of unspoiled beaches on either side of the inlet, depending on where I want to let my dog run.
But you keep enjoying Edisto…it will keep you off Capers, and that’s probably better for both of us.
I hear that an 8- ball is an easy score on Edisto.
Almost every “article” you write reads like a paid ad. We all know you’re in PR, so just admit it – you’re using FITS as a platform to help your clients. You’re writing ads for them. It’s okay, we get it. Just a shame that this is what FITS has come to.
Oooh, well I am patiently waiting for a lot of checks to arrive. I’ve never written about a client here – and when I do, I’ll disclose it.
Liz, don’t change a thing … Your travel logs and restaurant reviews are why some of us out-of-towners return to FITSsnooze again and again …
Is the food there really that good?
Yes! I dream about those tuna nachos sometimes. Thanks for reading -glad you enjoyed it :)
Hidden? Are you kidding me…why not write about something that is actually “hidden”…Edisto is old news….a few stolen coolers from pre-frat boys on their parents $10K golf cart and the weekend is over..
So, make it during the week … I’ll bet they will still take Ur food stamps.
Why is it that travel logs and movie reviews bring out the whiners?
“… You don’ know how lucky you are boys, back in the U.S. back in the U.S., back in the USSR …”
I love Liz and I love Edisto Beach!
Liz, you have an admirer.
I have been going to Edisto Beach since 1974. I lived right down the road in Hollywood for 17 years. Edisto is wonderful and mostly unspoiled. The state park is really nice. I hope that developers don’t get a hold of that gem.
Damn Socialist!
What about “free enterprise?”
FUCK the damned “developers!” They fuck up everything they touch.
Been to Hollywood.
Worked on a EPA clean-up project back in the early 90’s (Fertilizer facility if I recall correctly) They were shipping fertlizer laden with heavy metals (chromium,lead,cadmium,etc) overseas
Feds shut it down after DHEC would not do a damn thing
Maybe you read about it.
Why did the Feds shut it down? Isn’t the free market supposed to police the environment itself? Damn shame we just couldn’t let market forces fix that problem…
Don’t recall that
Thanks Liz!!! Ruin the seclusion me and my family have enjoyed for 40+ years. Like the mobile Burger-King that left the island many years ago can u do the same please?
Forgot the Darkside. E.des.to is not a hidden gem.
Interesting that this piece would bring out a better, brighter side of the more usual way too quasi-pornographic rants here … Is the food there that much better?
The last time I did acid was at Edisto.One of my friends started acting like a Nazi.We thought it was a joke,but he wouldn’t shut up.To get away from him, I drove to the beach with an ounce of beautiful sensimilla, and some mix tapes.Good times.
“…The tap water in Edisto, while not great for drinking, makes the best grits you’ve ever had…”
Woefully false, the best “grits water” comes from the small town of Live Oak on the banks of the Suwanee River in Suwanee County, Florida. They draw water from the tannin laden, black water river, wave a chlorine tablet over it and call it drinking water. I normally eschew grits made anywhere else as not worthy of the effort.
Ediisto is a great place for horny teenage boys. “God, I am sooo bored. OK. Let’s go.”
PS – Be aware of the frequent rip currents. And the constant snakes on the nature trails.
Re. knocks on Myrtle: if you spend enough to have a first class vacation, you can have one.
Close the golf course, put the little wooden gas station back at the “bend” in the road, close all the grocery stores,except the ORIGINAL IGA, tear down the time share condos at the south end, bull doze all the McMansions built in the last 15 years, LEAVE THE PENDARVIS HOUSE out on Point Street, them we will the true GEM all of us knew.
BEFORE YUPPIES!!!!!
Sunset Grille above the marina has not been in business since 2012. Pressley’s at the Marina is the current restaurant…