Roofing company in Pawley's Island, SC

There are some places that stick with you, and for Southern Living editor-in-chief Sid Evans, that place is Pawleys Island, South Carolina. He’s been visiting the tiny sliver of Lowcountry land most summers since he was 5 or 6 and says it’s still one of his favorite places. About 70 miles north of Charleston and 25 miles south of Myrtle Beach, Pawleys has a loyal fan base despite its small stature. The entire barrier island is less than 4 miles long, and in most places, only about one house wide, which means water is everywhere you look. On the west, there’s an intricate network of salt marshes and creeks. On the east, you get gorgeous views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Though hurricane damage has brought some new and updated places to stay, at its heart, Pawleys remains a low-key Lowcountry getaway where the pace of your day depends entirely on your mood. “If you rent a place with a dock on the creek, you can fish, crab, or just hang out and watch the sun set over the marsh,” Evans says.

While Pawley's Island offers plenty to do, if you want to venture off the island, there are several nearby attractions you can visit, including Brookgreen Gardens, Huntington Beach State Park, and Atalaya Castle. Keep reading for the best things to do on Pawleys Island.

What To Do On Pawleys Island

The historic heart of Pawleys all started with the Original Hammock Shop, which was established in 1938. Today, the vibrant shopping village consists of 21 unique local shops, two restaurants, a playground, and several outdoor gathering spaces. You can still get an original Pawleys Island Rope Hammock from the legendary store and see other historic buildings like The Schoolhouse and Waverly Building, two 1800s buildings that now house La Tierra Mineral Gallery and BisQit restaurant, respectively.

; 10880 Ocean Hwy, Pawleys Island, SC 29585

Consult the Waccamaw Golf Trail, a collection of courses that spans Pawleys Island, Litchfield, and the surrounding area, for a recommendation on where to play. The 18-hole course at Caledonia Golf & Fish Club has won multiple awards from golf publications for being a top public course. Another popular spot is the Jack Nicklaus-designed course at Pawleys Plantation.

; 369 Caledonia Drive, Pawleys Island, SC 29585; 70 Tanglewood Drive, Pawleys Island, SC 29585

Between Pawleys saltwater coast and its immense freshwater network of marshes, deltas, tidal creeks, and estuaries, there’s so much vibrant nature and wildlife to observe. On an ecotour with Pawleys Island Guide Services, you can expect to spot everything from alligators, turtles, crabs, dolphins, and otters to a huge variety of birds, including roseate spoonbill, osprey, blue heron, and wood storks.

; 577 Brace Drive, Pawleys Island, SC 29585; 843-833-4477

It’s not hard to find the beach on Pawleys, considering the entire island is only about a quarter-mile wide. Before you plant your umbrella in the sand, make a stop at Pawleys Island Supplies for all your beach day essentials. The old-school hardware and general store has everything you might need for a long day of fun in the sun, from floats and boogie boards to sun hats, shades, and snacks.

; 10460 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island, SC 29585; 843-237-2912

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it’s worth paying a visit to this early 1900s Classical Revival-style church that still hosts Sunday services to this day. If you go, be sure to also spend time in the church cemetery, which was established in the 1820s and is famously the final resting place of local legend Alice Flagg (who’s said to haunt the Grand Strand) and celebrated poet and novelist James Dickey.

On Sundays at All Saints Church, a traditional service is held at 7:45 a.m., a casual service a 9:00 a.m., and a blended service at 10:30 a.m.

; 3560 Kings River Road, Pawleys Island, SC 29585

If you want to attend a Sunday service in one of the most gorgeous settings imaginable, the marsh-side Pawleys Island Chapel is ready to welcome guests from June through August. Even if you don’t come for a sermon, be sure to make the pilgrimage to see this iconic Pawleys Island spot.

; 391 Myrtle Avenue, Pawleys Island, SC 29585; 843-237-2000

Most of Pawleys Island's best attractions are 100% free, and this activity is no different. Evans recommends going to the Point, also known as the Southern tip of the island, at low tide to look for shark teeth. You never know what kind of treasures you might get to take home.

To bring a piece of lowcountry beauty back home with you, visit some of the local galleries on the island. Gray Man Gallery celebrates the culture, landscape, and soul of the Lowcountry and offers custom framing, while Floyd Fine Arts offers fine paintings, sculptures, and ceramics.

; 9841 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island, SC 29585; 11096 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island, SC 29585

Where To Eat On Pawleys Island

For some of the best food on the island, dine with Chef Adam Kirby at his two restaurants, Rustic Table and Bistro 217. At Rustic Table, the former state chef ambassador serves up his signature style of Southern comfort food with dishes like country-fried steak with Sawmill sausage gravy and sweet tea collards and Cajun seafood gumbo. Save plenty of room for dessert because you’ll have a hard time deciding between favorites like the Pawleys Island Pie (made with chocolate chips and pecans) and the Roasted Banana & Chocolate Bread Pudding. At Bistro 217, Kirby flexes his culinary muscles in a different way with fun fusion dishes like Korean Chili Seared Salmon with udon noodles and gochujang dashi and Horseradish-Encrusted Pork Schnitzel with roasted potatoes, kale, sauteed onions, and chasseur sauce.

; 10683 Ocean Highways, Pawleys Island, SC 29585; 843-314-0164 bistro217.com; 10707 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island, SC 29585; 843-235-8217

There’s room for all at Frank’s, a Pawleys Island institution that has expanded over the years to include four dining venues and four bars, all on one sprawling property. Make reservations for a table in the main dining room or at Frank’s Outback (back patio). If you’re coming with last-minute plans, walk-ins are welcome in the Courtyard and Way Back Garden. All four dining locations, as well as all four bars, serve the full menu of chophouse steaks, seafood, and Southern favorites. Pro tip: The pimiento cheese is legendary, so you should always start your meal with an order.

; 10434 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island, SC 29585; 843-237-3030

There’s no lovelier setting for a meal than under the canopy of Lowcountry live oaks in the Chive Blossom Café’s courtyard. Open for lunch and dinner from Tuesday through Saturday, the restaurant is known for blending Southern cuisine with influences from Mediterranean, France, and Asia. Be sure to try chef Tina Renualt’s famous crab soup, then choose whatever sounds best from the ever-changing seasonal menu.

; 85 N Causeway Rd, Pawleys Island, SC 29585; 843-237-1438

The all-day menu at BisQit, located in the Hammock Shops Village, has something for every craving. Of course, there’s a whole list of biscuit sandwiches (try the Lowcountry with root beer-braised pork belly, smoked gouda, slaw, and bearnaise aioli), but there are also burgers, pancakes, tacos, chicken fingers, fried shrimp, and even a lobster roll.

; 10880 Ocean Hwy, Pawleys Island, SC 29585; 843-979-2747

This local bakery is the place to go for a grab-and-go meal that can easily be toted to the beach, or for a decadent dessert to sweeten up your day. Pick your meat, cheese, bread, and toppings for a breakfast or lunch sandwich. Or choose from a selection of breakfast pastries that includes croissants, donuts, scones, muffins, cinnamon rolls, and more. Desserts range from cookies and bars in dozens of flavors to cupcakes.

; 10517 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island, SC 29585; 843-237-3100

Where To Stay On Pawleys Island

Perched on the dunes of Litchfield Beach, The Litchfield Inn offers everything you need for a comfortable getaway. There are oceanfront rooms, so you can drink in the gorgeous views at all times of day. Private beach access is just steps from your room, so the sandy shores are never far. Start your day with the hearty breakfast buffet at Tide to Table restaurant, and when you need to refuel later, the Tide Beach Bar has a fun coastal-inspired menu that includes refreshing Tiki drinks and grouper tacos.

; 1 Norris Drive, Pawleys Island, SC 29585; 855-213-9070

The Sea View Inn has been welcoming guests since 1937 and has been in the capable hands of Sassy and Brian Henry since 2002. Every room on the property has a view of either the ocean or the marsh. Exhibiting true Southern hospitality, the Sea View still serves two meals to guests daily: breakfast starting at 8:30 a.m. and a “dinner” meal served at 1:15 p.m. that might include fried chicken, vegetables, homemade biscuits, and dessert.

; 414 Myrtle Avenue, Pawleys Island, SC 29585; 843-237-4253

Michelle Cumbie Joins Signature Wealth's Pawleys Island Team

Michelle Cumbie Joins Signature Wealth's Pawleys Island Team

PR Newswire

PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C., Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Signature Wealth Group announced that Michelle Cumbie has joined its growing Pawleys Island office as a Senior Wealth Advisor, adding another experienced planner to the firm's coastal team. Cumbie brings two decades of client-facing advisory experience and a collaborative, goal-based planning approach.

Cumbie partners with families on retirement readiness and long-term wealth strategies, reviewing progress and coordinating with clients' CPAs, estate attorneys, and insurance professionals to keep plans aligned over time. She now pairs that hands-on service with Signature's broader platform and local concierge support in Pawleys Island. Michelle earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University, grounding her planning work in a practical understanding of human behavior.

"Michelle's client-first discipline and calm, methodical working style are exactly what we look for in an advisor," said Jay Accetturo, EVP, Director of Advisor Relations at Signature Wealth and Operations Manager, RJFS. "She is steady and thoughtful with great attention to detail. Our team is excited to support her as she navigates this new phase of her career."

Cumbie joins a multigenerational advisory team that includes CEO Chip Munn, Senior Wealth Advisor Andy Friedman, and Wealth Advisor Carson Munn, among others, at the Pawleys Island location: 159 Library Lane, Pawleys Island, SC 29585.

"Michelle is a great cultural fit for our community of advisors," said Chip Munn, CEO of Signature Wealth Group. "She strengthens what we're building on the coast: high-touch planning that helps families align lifestyle, retirement, and legacy."

Clients and community members can connect with Michelle and the Pawleys Island team via the office website or by phone at (843) 353-3128.

About Signature Wealth Group
Signature Wealth is an independent wealth management community affiliated with Raymond James, serving families and business owners across the Southeast. Advisors provide comprehensive planning, investment management, and coordinated guidance to support lifestyle, retirement, and legacy goals of high-net-worth families and business owners.

159 Library Lane, Pawleys Island, SC 29585 Phone: 843.353.3128 Signature Wealth Group is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisory Services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc.

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SOURCE Signature Wealth Group

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Pawleys Island has been named the "Best Beach in South Carolina" for the second time, according to the venerable USA Today/10Best Readers' Choice poll.

Furthermore, Litchfield Beach placed number three and Huntington Beach was placed at number four.

There were 17 South Carolina nominees in the running.

Local officials spoke on how beneficial this ranking is for the tourism industry, with state officials estimating a $300 million economic impact for Georgetown County.

I couldn’t be more excited about this news,” said Mark A. Stevens, director of tourism development for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce. “Pawleys Island topping the list for the Best Beach in South Carolina once again is wonderful, but it’s made even more sweet with Litchfield Beach and Huntington Beach State Park also finishing in the Top 4. Clearly the Hammock Coast’s beaches are beloved by residents and vacationers. Our beaches are adored for their pristine shores and mild crowds, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Beth Stedman, the Chamber’s president and CEO, emphasized how you "don't have to be the biggest to be the best."

We love to say we are comfortably nestled between two of the biggest tourism meccas in South Carolina – Myrtle Beach to the north and Charleston to the south, but we love being our own unique brand," he said. “The natural beauty of our area and its history bring visitors here throughout the year and they return again and again. The majesty of our area, with tens of thousands of acres preserved and protected, sets it apart from many other coastal regions.

The judges for USA Today who selected the 17 beaches to compete for "Best Beach in South Carolina" were Jamie Davis Smith, Marla Cimini and Catherine Smith.

They all have shared interests in travelling, writing and adventures.

Locations on South Carolina’s Hammock Coast have been featured in other USA Today/10Best contests such as Huntington Beach State Park, Brookgreen Gardens, Georgetown and Caledonia Golf and Fish Club.