If beautiful beaches, ocean breezes, frozen concoctions, and warm weather sounds like a lovely way to spend time with friends, you've picked the right spot. South Carolina's charming coastal communities are beautiful gems tucked away a short drive from Charleston. Discover a world away from the ordinary with delicious coastal cuisine, specialty shops, and gorgeous vacation homes.
Relax
Pamper yourself at the Sand and Sea Spa at Wild Dunes Resort. Get a relaxing spa service like a deep tissue massage, facial or body wrap. Or opt for a pedicure. If you stay in the Isle of Palms, head to Urban Nirvana in nearby Mt. Pleasant. Book a hot stone treatment applied to a Swedish Style Massage. If you spend all day on your feet, book a foot fete treatment with dry buffing, exfoliation, and paraffin dip topped off with a foot massage. Or let your Body Buzz with the scrub/wrap combo that includes a coffee and sugar scrub followed by a full-body mask and ends with a full-body lotion application.
Get in the Swing
Pack the racquet and golf clubs if you want to spend time on a court or course. The Roy Barth Tennis Center on Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island Racquet Club, and Wild Dunes Resort Tennis Center offers state-of-the-art facilities and top court conditions. Isle of Palms offers lighted public tennis courts on a first-come, first-serve basis. As for golf, Kiawah Island has five premier courses that provide a challenging round for your foursome. Or book a tee time at the Seabrook Island Ocean Winds Golf Course or the Wild Dunes Resort Harbor of Links course.
Shop
Grab a shopping bag and hit the more than 30 stores at Freshfields Village, an outdoor mall with locally-owned and national retailers. From apparel to footwear, from home decor to gifts and books, there's something for everyone. Several restaurants offer sushi, pizza, Mexican food, sandwiches, salads, and more. And there's an Urban Nirvana spa.
Go Riding
Seabrook is one of the few places on the East Coast you can mark off that bucket list item to ride a horse on the beach. Saddle up at the Seabrook Island Equestrian Center, with roughly three miles of trails appropriate for beginners to advanced riders. They offer advanced beach rides for the more experienced and walking beach rides for beginners.
Wine and Dine
Enjoy fabulous meals and craft cocktails with picture-perfect views at The Boathouse at Breach Inlet and Coda del Pesce on Isle of Palms. Both deliver delicious seafood and Carolina coastal cuisine. Or enjoy an Italian-inspired menu at Tomasso at Turtle Point on Kiawah Island.
Beachside Stay
Book a fantastic beach cottage like the five-bedroom, 5.5-bath 1A Eugenia Avenue on Kiawah Island for a dream spot steps from the Atlantic Ocean, which you can view from three levels and multiple decks. The spacious kitchen provides plenty of space for cooking, drinking wine, and just catching up with good friends. Smaller groups will enjoy 603 Ocean Boulevard on Isle of Palms, an immaculately designed four-bedroom, 3.5 bath home with ocean views and a private pool. Our 3012 Marsh Haven home on Seabrook Island offers five bedrooms and 3.5 baths on Captain Sam's Creek with marsh views. With bar seating in the kitchen, along with several cozy nooks and a screened porch, this is a spacious house to hang out together or enjoy quiet time. That's what a girlfriend's getaway is all about.