Best South Carolina Beaches to Buy an Oceanfront Beach House 

Do you nurture a dream of beachfront living? Do you imagine waking up to the sunrise and surf through your master bedroom windows? Stop dreaming and start exploring the beaches of South Carolina. Here you can find an oceanfront home with stunning landscapes and a rich history. 

The mild year-round climate enables you to enjoy oceanside activities throughout the seasons. Your South Carolina beach house will be close to the ocean and the urban amenities you want. If you’re looking to invest in an oceanfront house as a vacation rental, South Carolina has world-famous beaches and championship golf courses that draw tourists in each season. 

Look for an oceanfront house along these prized South Carolina beaches. Our list starts at Cherry Grove Beach near the North Carolina border and works southward to Hilton Head Island along Georgia border.

North Myrtle Beach

North Myrtle Beach provides miles of white sands and urban amenities as a more affordable alternative to Myrtle Beach. The waterfront homes are not only close to the ocean, but the famous golf courses of the Grand Strand are a short drive away. 

Most residents here own their homes. While there is tourism, the North Myrtle Beach area is less trafficked than its sister city to its south. The area is popular with retirees who enjoy ample restaurants, coffee shops, parks, and year-round festivities. 

North Myrtle Beach formed from the merger of Crescent Beach, Atlantic Beach, and Cherry Grove. These beach towns retain their distinct character.

Crescent Beach is conveniently close to North Myrtle Beach Main Street. Here, your beach house will provide fast access to oceanfront restaurants and the boardwalk. There are resorts and condominium complexes along its stretch of sands.

Atlantic Beach is rich in history, with a Gullah Geechee community formed from former African slaves who worked near the coastal areas. The nicknamed “Black Pearl” has a close-knit community, numerous black-owned shops, and coastal property. 

Cherry Grove is an angler’s paradise. The Cherry Grove Pier near the north end of North Myrtle Beach provides quick fishing access. When you look around, you’ll find charming beach cottages and a slower pace of life. The beach here has been named one of the best beaches in the US. 

North Myrtle Beach residential real estate list prices in August 2021, according to Realtor.com, ranged from $115,000 for a studio beachfront condo to $2.3M for a single-family oceanfront home. 

Myrtle Beach

The center of the Grand Strand is a bustling city home with world-class dining and vacation attractions. You’ll be close to famous beaches, championship golfing, upscale shopping, and much more. 

Myrtle Beach housing costs tend to be 30% lower than the national average, while rental rates are higher. The upside to owning an oceanfront beach house in Myrtle Beach is you can convert it to a short-term rental when not in use. 

Here you’ll find a variety of housing options. Select from oceanfront single-family homes, townhomes, and condominiums. Luxury oceanfront condominiums often come with additional amenities that make the HOA fees–and the resort lifestyle–worth it.

Myrtle Beach is a great place to own because it is an established and well-marketed vacation destination. If you are interested in owning and living in oceanfront real estate part-time, a beachfront home increases your chances of bookings and commanding premium rental rates. 

List prices in August 2021 ranged from $115,000 for studio oceanfront condos to $3.44M for a Myrtle Beach beachfront single-family home.  

Surfside Beach

Surfside Beach is known as the “family” beach on the Grand Strand. Besides kicking back along the two miles of oceanfront, enjoy tennis, bocce, shuffleboard, and fresh Atlantic breezes. The town cleans the beaches daily. Surfside Beach’s town council also declared the town as the first autism-friendly travel destination.

Explore ocean view homes and condominiums along Surfside Beach. Many of the oceanfront homes in Surfside Beach are on the newer side, although you can find traditional beach cottages. Homes and condominiums here can be rented out when not in use. August 2021 real estate listing prices ranged from $150,000 for a beachfront studio condo to $1.79M for a beachfront single-family stilt home.

Garden City

Welcome to one of the Grand Strand’s more popular vacation destinations. Garden City is more easy going compared to its Myrtle Beach neighbor. The oceanfront is less crowded and touristy, but you still enjoy the famous fresh seafood and plenty of family-oriented activities. The Garden City Pier is a go-to place for fishing, and its end of the Pier bar hosts live music through the summer.

Garden City is one of the few communities with some homes on the water instead of across the street from the beach. The beachfront homes tend to be on the newer side with a traditional stilt beach construction, although you can find other single-family home styles. Oceanfront and waterview condos are available. The home can be used as a vacation rental property. 

Home prices in August 2021 ranged from $210,000 for a beachfront condo to $1.9M for a beachfront single-family with eight bedrooms.

Litchfield Beach

Are you looking for a quiet ocean view home along the Atlantic? Try Litchfield Beach, one of the coveted oceanfront communities on Pawleys Island. This community has been carefully zoned and managed to create a quieter and more exclusive beach lifestyle. There are boutique shops and fine-dining options, plus two resorts, like the Litchfield Beach & Golf Resort. Hit the links in the morning and the ocean in the afternoon. 

Litchfield Beach is the halfway point between the historic Georgetown and the bustling Myrtle Beach, making it an ideal retreat and jumping-off point to South Carolina beachfront attractions. The popular Huntington Beach State Park is on its northern border, home to a public beachfront, camping area, and the historic Atalaya Castle. To the south lies the golfing destination of Pawleys Island. 

You won’t find high-rise luxury condos here. Instead, there are beach stilt houses and single-family homes. The homes are well-manicured. Prices in August 2021 ranged from $171,900 for an undeveloped ocean view lot to $2.49M for a Litchfield Beach beachfront single-family home.

Pawleys Island

This picturesque island community has been a coastal retreat for decades. The homes have never lost their Lowcountry island charm, with concerted efforts to preserve historic buildings and a commitment against overdevelopment. Just 600 homes are found on the island proper. The theme here is peace and serenity.

That doesn’t mean Pawleys Islands residents are cut off. All the dining, shopping, and famous golf amenities lie just over the causeway to the mainland. Plus, the limited number of homes has led to a tight-knit community of neighbors who know they’ve landed on something special.

Pawleys Island oceanfront homes range from the historic beach retreat to the more contemporary luxurious stilt house. Prices in August 2021 ranged from $119,900 for an oceanfront studio condo to $4.25M for a beachfront single-family on a 2.5-acre lot.

Isle of Palms

Vacasa ranked the Isle of Palms and its seven-mile strip of white-sand beach on its best places to buy a beach house list. Located just 18 miles from the bustling center of state capital Charleston, not only is the Atlantic oceanfront at hand, but the backside of the island has the Intracoastal waterway leading to remote barrier islands.

Isle of Palms residents have quick access to amenities like championship golf and tennis. The marina is perfect for docking your boat and yacht when you’re not fishing or enjoying water sports. 

Isle of Palms is known for its family-oriented atmosphere. The locals here are friendly, with just under 5,000 people living full-time on the isle. Beach volleyball is a favorite pastime. Local restaurants, coffee shops, and bars are on the island, so you never have to cross the causeway for excellent dining–unless you want to.

For housing, the gated community of Wild Dunes Resort and its stunning golf course are on the island’s north end. Otherwise, find single-family homes and condos with ocean views along the miles of sand. August 2021 prices range from $499,000 for an oceanfront condo to $5.5 M for an oceanfront single-family. Homes can be used as vacation rentals.  

Sullivans Island

If you seek a small beach town with charm, look no further than this small town at the entrance to Charleston Harbor. Living here is essentially residing in an affluent suburb of the greater Charleston area. An oceanfront home feels like a world away from downtown Charleston, yet you are about a 25-minute drive or less to everything the city offers. 

Don’t be surprised to see residents getting around on bicycles. This is a laid-back oceanfront town. Spend your days paddle boarding around the island. Kick back at night as you listen to live music at one of the beach bars. Watch the boats journey into the harbor or out to sea. 

Residents come to Sullivans Island to stay, making inventory low. August 2021 had just two oceanfront single-family listings, listed at $5.3M and $9.37M.

Folly Beach

Folly Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the Charleston area and a vacation destination. This barrier island is known for its excellent surf. You’ll find surfers from around the seaboard trying their skills up and down the sands. The “Washout” on the north end of Folly has some of the biggest and best waves on the Carolina coast. 

Onshore, Folly Beach is filled with restaurants and shops that are just feet away from the ocean. The area has a colorful and casual nightlife scene, most bustling during the popular summer months.

When not enjoying life’s wonders on Folly Beach, relax on a wrap-around porch, a popular feature of Folly Beach homes. Find single-family homes, beach cottages, villas, and condominiums along the Folly Beach stretch of sand. August 2021 listings started at $465,000 for an oceanfront condo to $2.87M for an oceanfront home.

Kiawah Island

When you want all the Lowcountry charm paired with a calm lifestyle on the coast, you want Kiawah Island. Located 25 miles from downtown Charleston, this is a private island community with luxurious amenities. You will have access to world-class golf courses and tennis, restaurants, fitness centers, a nature center, and a marina. All of that is accompanied by ten miles of pristine Atlantic Beach, 30 miles of paved trails, and easy access to the Intracoastal Waterway.

Here you will find a mixture of single-family homes and luxury condominium developments. You can choose from resort-style living or a more classic beachfront home. August 2021 listings ranged from $1.17M for an undeveloped oceanfront lot in a private community to a $19M luxury single-family home on a 2-acre oceanfront lot.

Seabrook Island

Seabrook Island has protected natural landscapes if you want wide open ocean views or to overlook photogenic oceanfront marshes. Residents here appreciate a more private coastal town with a residential feel. There are two beaches, Pelican Beach and North Beach, as well as the exclusive Sea Island Beach Club. North Beach also has an off-leash area for dogs open seasonally.

Even though it is less developed than its Kiawah Island neighbor, it has exclusive resort facilities. These include an equestrian center, golf courses, and oceanfront terraces with dining. 

Seabrook Island has a range of housing options available. August 2021 listings started at $349,000 for an undeveloped ocean view lot to $2.6M for a 4-bedroom single-family oceanfront home.

Fripp Island

Not only do you have the beautiful Atlantic beaches on Fripp Island, but this barrier island has two championship golf courses. It’s located near Beaufort and Hilton Head, meaning you are a world away from crowded tourist areas yet still close when you want to indulge in those area’s amenities. Residents have proximity to golf courses, a seaside water park, less crowded beaches, dining, tennis courts, and the area’s beauty. 

Fripp Island is known for its efforts in conservation, leading to a more authentic barrier island feel. Just under 1,000 people live here full-time, but the island can swell to over 5,000 in the summer. The island’s natural beauty and Atlantic oceanfront draw people. 

Find single-family homes with a view or invest in condominiums that can also be rented to vacationers. In August 2021, ocean view listings started at lots for $290,000 up to $2.6M for a single-family oceanfront home.

Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island and its 12 miles of Atlantic beachfront are a popular vacation destination. Just an hour from Savannah, GA, over 2 million visitors vacation in Hilton Head each year. Why come for a week when you can stay longer and own a Hilton Head beachfront home?

Hilton Head is abundant with outdoor recreation areas and oceanfront access. Residents enjoy the famous public and private golf courses on the island. The PGA Tour stops at Hilton Head in April, bringing celebrities and athletes each year. The island town has miles of trails for hiking and walking–many residents and visitors opt to get around by bicycle. The island has world-class dining with over 250 restaurants, plus cultural amenities, like the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra. Enjoy art museums, music, and festivals hosted throughout the year. 

Here you’ll find a diverse selection of homes and access to communities with resort-style amenities. Oceanfront real estate ranges from beach cottages to manicured luxury estates to condominiums. Communities include Sea Pines, Folly Field, Port Royal, Forest Beach, and Leamington. In August 2021, listings started at $175,000 for a harborfront townhome to a $6.5M oceanfront single-family in Sea Pines.

How to afford beachfront property

As you can see, a beachfront home is affordable in South Carolina. However, not everyone wants their oceanfront lifestyle to be in a studio condominium. A financing option called a jumbo loan makes oceanfront living more accessible for everyone.

Most homeowners are familiar with conventional loan programs that follow the guidelines set by the FHFA. These loans have maximum financing limits that prevent many homeowners dreaming of a beach lifestyle from obtaining a home along the sands. 

A jumbo loan can be used to finance homes with a large price tag that doesn’t conform to the conventional limits. These loans ask the lender to assume more risk, so the lender will have stricter requirements. For instance, they may require a higher down payment or an exceptional credit history. 

Current jumbo loan rates are at historic lows for this kind of financing. Bankrate reported a 30-year jumbo fixed rate mortgage APR averaged 3.120% in August 2021. Some lenders were reporting APRs as low as 2.548%.

Imagine your new lifestyle of sunrise walks along the ocean, a round of golf by the sea, and relaxing in your rope hammock on the porch while enjoying the Atlantic Ocean sea breezes. You can find this and more in a South Carolina oceanfront home. With a jumbo loan, you can deliver a competitive purchase-sale agreement for the South Carolina beach home of your dreams.