A Little-Known Beach Was Just Named the Absolute Best in the U.S. South
Ask most people to picture America’s finest beaches, and the images that come back are familiar: palm-lined shores in Hawaii or wide stretches of Florida sand. That mental map, however, left out a corner of the South that just claimed national attention.
In 2025, Kiawah Beachwalker Park in South Carolina rose above better-known destinations, taking the title of the South’s best beach and earning recognition as one of the country’s standout coastal escapes.
Public Access on a Private Island
Image via iStockphoto/Judd Brotman
Kiawah Island is popular for its gated neighborhoods, resorts, and private clubs, which can give the impression that much of the shoreline is reserved for residents and guests. Beachwalker Park, however, is different.
This park, positioned on the western edge of the island, provides one of the few public entry points to Kiawah’s beaches. That accessibility has turned it into a reliable choice for people who want to experience Kiawah without needing a property pass.
The park is about a 45-minute drive from downtown Charleston, a stretch that helps it stay a little quieter than spots closer to the city. Visitors find restrooms, picnic areas, and rentals, but the place avoids the feel of a resort. That mix has made it a dependable favorite for day trips along the South Carolina coast.
How Dr. Beach Evaluates Coastlines
Stephen P. Leatherman, referred to as Dr. Beach, has been analyzing American beaches for more than three decades. His evaluations are not based on casual impressions but on a detailed system that uses fifty separate criteria. Each beach is measured on a scale, with scores assigned to categories that range from water clarity and sand softness to the presence of wildlife, litter, or erosion.
Availability of facilities also counts, as do noise levels, safety, and the overall condition of the surrounding environment. Even the color of the sand plays a role in his rankings, with lighter tones earning higher marks than darker shades. He applies these standards across more than six hundred public beaches and ensures that each site competes on equal footing.
This scientific process gives credibility to the annual list of America’s Best Beaches. It also explains why coastal stretches that are less famous, such as Beachwalker Park, can sometimes outrank better-known destinations.
South Carolina’s Highest-Rated Beach
Beachwalker Park’s placement on the 2025 list marked a major recognition for South Carolina. Placed sixth overall, it was the only beach in the South to break into the national top ten. Coopers Beach in Southampton, New York, received the number one spot, while Hawaiian beaches dominated several positions, alongside entries in Florida and Massachusetts.
Kiawah’s spot on the list shows that its shoreline holds up against places with heavier tourism and more promotion. Sitting just outside Charleston, the park takes a little effort to reach, but the recognition underscores its value.
In a region filled with beaches that can feel overrun in summer, Beachwalker Park demonstrated that South Carolina’s coast still offers a place that competes with the country’s best.