Charleston and its outlying islands are a big-and pleasant-surprise to those in search of laid-back, family-friendly beaches, plenty of watersports and top-notch dining.
If you're a person who loves nothing more than lazing on the sand, dipping your toes in the sea and watching the kids building a sandcastle, then the long swaths of Atlantic beach will fulfill your idyllic dreams. If, however, you need the buzz of action and never know what to do next, you'll find plenty of water activities in Charleston to keep your heartrate up, from kiteboarding on Sullivan's Island to Jet Skiing off Folly Beach. Somehow Charleston manages to balance nostalgic days at the beach filled with nature and simple pleasures with first-class resorts, golf courses and dining. We don't know how they do it!