Tip Top East Coast 'Surf's Up' Town - Charleston, SC

Not only did Charleston, South Carolina recently win the title of 'Best Tennis Town' by the USTA (United States Tennis Association),Outside Magazine and Outside Online have named Charleston the Best Town for Surfing - East Coast. The city is surrounded on all 3 sides by the Cooper River, Ashley River and Charleston Harbor opening to the Atlantic Ocean. The Charlestonian oldtimers like to say "The Ashley and Cooper Rivers meet to form the Atlantic Ocean." Isle of Palms is a barrier island only 15 to 20 minutes from Historic Charleston, SC. Isle of Palms and neighboring island, Sullivan's Island, are classic beachfront communities of the Carolinas with lodging accommodations from one-bedroom villas to very large private homes. On the other side of Charleston, Folly Island is a six-mile-long-barrier island that has some of the best surf at an area the locals call 'The Washout'. There are a consistent crew of local surfers around Charleston and they are happy to share their knowledge and vibrant surfing scenes with the percentage of the over four million people that surf when visiting the lowcountry annually as vacationers. The water is warm enough to trunk it for about seven months a year. The continental shelf sucks some of the power out of the waves, but, they remain consistent rides and are occasionally astonishing when passing hurricanes brush the edge of East Coast. Longboarders especially enjoy the Isle of Palms area. When it is too flat or windy to surf, you can stand-up-paddleboard enjoying the surrounding marshes and sounds. And, Charleston is more than fun for surfers. It has a thriving arts and music scene. Great shopping and world-class dining for serious foodies - or - swimsuit and flipflop seafood eateries. It is a great city to try and enjoy both the city and its surfing scene - especially during one of the half a dozen annual surfing contests. Check out this East Coast jewel where water is a way of life for Charlestonians.