Hammock Coast beaches compete for ‘Best Beach in South Carolina’ title
April 20, 2026
Three beaches along South Carolina’s Hammock Coast® are back in the running for the title of “Best Beach in South Carolina.”
Pawleys Island, Litchfield Beach, and Huntington Beach State Park are among 17 contenders in the annual USA Today/10Best online contest. Pawleys Island is seeking a “three-peat” after securing the No. 1 spot in both 2024 and 2025. 
In previous years, Litchfield Beach reached No. 3, while Huntington Beach State Park ranked No. 4.
“It’s wonderful to know how well-loved the beaches on South Carolina’s Hammock Coast are,” said Beth Stedman, president and CEO of the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce. “While the Hammock Coast is comfortably nestled between Myrtle Beach and Charleston, it’s obvious that the public also has a real love for the pristine beaches here.”
The online contest launched Monday, April 20, and will remain open until Wednesday, May 27, at noon. Supporters are allowed to cast one vote per day for their favorite beach.
Mark A. Stevens, the Chamber’s director of tourism development, noted that while the competition is fierce among the 17 statewide finalists, there is also a friendly rivalry between the three local favorites.
“The folks who come year-round to the beaches on the Hammock Coast clearly have their favorite,” Stevens said. “There are those who never stay anywhere but the historic shores of Pawleys Island. Then there are others who prefer the laidback atmosphere of Litchfield or the natural, undeveloped beauty of Huntington Beach State Park.”
To cast a vote, residents and visitors can visit the contest website before the May 27 deadline. Contest participants can vote once per day and on each of your devices, such as desktop and laptop computers, smart phones, and tablets.
The USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards highlight top-notch attractions and businesses, providing readers with trusted recommendations.
The beach contest is not the first time a Hammock Coast community or attraction has been nominated in a USA Today/10 Best contest. Georgetown topped the Best Coastal Small Town contest in 2018 and was nominated again for many years. Murrells Inlet reached No. 6 in the Best Small Town in the South contest. Brookgreen Gardens and Huntington Beach State Park have also been nominated in numerous contests that have also yielded top results.
The latest Hammock Coast win was only weeks ago when Caledonia Golf and Fish Club in Pawleys Island came in at No. 8 in the United States in the “Best Public Golf Course” contest. The True Blue Grillroom at True Blue Golf Club in Pawleys Island placed 5th for the “Best Golf Course Restaurant.”
