You’ve probably seen the photos. A long, sturdy stretch of concrete and wood reaching out over the Atlantic, usually with a few dozen people dangling fishing lines off the edge. That’s the Folly Pier Charleston SC—or as the locals call it, the "Edge of America" pier.
Honestly, if you haven’t been there in a couple of years, you might not even recognize it.
It’s different now. The old wooden structure that everyone loved (and worried about every time a storm rolled in) is gone. In its place is a $12 million beast of a pier that officially fully reopened to the public in early 2023. People had a lot of feelings about the change. Some missed the creaky, salt-worn boards of the 1995 version, but let's be real—the marine borer worms were literally eating the old one from the inside out.
The new pier is built to last. It’s concrete. It’s modern. But does it still feel like Folly?
Basically, yeah.
The Pier Everyone Thought Would Stay Wooden Forever
The Folly Beach Pier has a weirdly dramatic history. The first one went up in the 1930s. Then came the 1960s version, which was part of "Ocean Plaza" and had a boardwalk and amusement rides. That one burned down in 1977. Then the 1995 version—the one most of us remember—lasted until the wood just couldn't take it anymore.
Marine borers are these tiny, termite-like creatures of the sea that chew through timber pilings. By 2013, the pier was in trouble. Engineers tried "encapsulating" the piles in concrete sleeves, which bought some time, but eventually, the Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission had to face facts: the pier was a goner.
Construction on the new one started in 2020.
It was a massive undertaking. Cape Romain Contractors used a "top-down" method, meaning they built the new pier as they demolished the old one, working from the "diamond" head back toward the land. They pounded in 234 massive concrete piles. The result is a structure that’s 1,045 feet long and 25 feet wide, ending in a massive diamond-shaped platform that’s 8,100 square feet.
It’s a tank. It’s designed to handle the kind of hurricanes that have tried to wipe Folly Beach off the map since the 1600s.
Fishing the Folly Pier Charleston SC: The Real Rules
If you’re going there to fish, don’t just show up with a bucket and hope for the best. There are rules. Specific ones.
First, you need a pass. You can buy a daily fishing permit right at the gift shop at the base of the pier. As of early 2026, it’s about $7 for adults and $4 for kids or seniors. You don’t need a separate South Carolina saltwater license if you’re fishing on the pier—the pier's license covers you. That's a huge plus for tourists who don't want to deal with DNR paperwork for a four-hour outing.
What are people catching?
- Whiting and Croaker: The "bread and butter" fish.
- Spanish Mackerel: Usually late spring through fall.
- Red Drum (Spottail Bass): A local favorite.
- Sheepshead: The "convict fish" with human-like teeth.
- King Mackerel: The big prizes caught from the diamond head.
Here is where it gets tricky: shark fishing. The City of Folly Beach has a strict ban on intentional shark fishing within a specific zone (3rd Street West to 3rd Street East). If you hook a shark by accident on the pier, and it’s over three feet, you have to cut the line immediately. No bringing it up. No nets. No "trophy" photos of you wrestling it on the deck.
Also, no trolley rigs for anything other than King Mackerel. And keep your hooks size 4/0 or smaller for bottom fishing. They take these rules seriously because the pier is shared with families, birdwatchers, and people just trying to eat a taco in peace.
Eating and Drinking at 101 E. Arctic
You can’t talk about the pier without mentioning Pier 101 Restaurant & Bar. It’s sitting right there at the entrance.
If you want fancy, white-tablecloth seafood, go back across the bridge to downtown Charleston. Pier 101 is "beach fancy." Think fried flounder sandwiches, baskets of hushpuppies with honey butter, and She Crab soup that actually has a decent amount of sherry in it.
They’re open daily, usually from 11:00 AM to about 6:00 PM (sometimes later in the peak of summer). On New Year’s Day, they do a Karaoke Brunch that is—honestly—a total fever dream of people in robes, Polar Plunge survivors, and "Hangover Burgers" topped with fried eggs.
The view from the outdoor seating is probably the best on the island. You’re elevated, you’ve got the breeze, and you can watch the surfers at "the Washout" or right next to the pier (though they have to stay 200 feet away from the structure for safety).
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What Most People Get Wrong About Parking
Parking at the Folly Pier Charleston SC is the number one way to ruin your vacation.
People assume they can just pull up and find a spot. In July? Forget it. The pier lot is a premium spot managed by the county.
Expect to pay.
In the "off-season" (January/February), it’s usually around $5.
By the time summer hits, you’re looking at $15 on weekdays and $25 on weekends.
If you try to park on the street to save money, be obsessed with your tires. All four tires must be completely off the pavement. If even one inch of rubber is touching the road or a white line, the Folly Beach Public Safety officers will find you. They are efficient. They are everywhere.
Also, don't forget that the pier itself is free to walk. You only pay if you’re fishing or parking your car. If you’re staying within walking distance, just stroll up and enjoy the view for $0.
The Mystery of the 55th Massachusetts
Most people walk the pier and think about fish or beer. They don't think about the Civil War.
But you should.
In 1863, Folly Island was a massive Union base. We’re talking 13,000 troops living in the brush. In 1987, construction workers near the west end of the beach (not far from the pier area) found the remains of 14 soldiers. They were from the 54th and 55th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiments—African American units who fought with incredible bravery.
The mystery? Twelve of the bodies were missing their skulls. No one knows why. There were no battle injuries. It’s one of those weird, haunting pieces of Lowcountry history that sits right beneath the sand where people are now throwing frisbees.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
If you’re planning to hit the pier this week, here is the move:
1. Go early or go late.
The pier opens as early as 6:00 AM in the summer and 8:00 AM in the winter. Sunrise on the pier is incredible, and you’ll beat the $25 weekend parking surge if you get there before the crowds. Plus, the gift shop (which sells the bait) usually closes 30 minutes before the pier itself shuts down at sunset.
2. Check the "Cast Off" schedule.
Charleston County Parks runs fishing tournaments throughout the year. If you aren't a serious angler, you might want to avoid these days because the pier gets crowded. If you are an angler, these are the best times to see what’s actually biting.
3. Respect the "No Alcohol" rule on the beach.
You can drink a beer at Pier 101. You cannot take that beer onto the wooden/concrete walkway of the pier or down onto the sand. Folly used to be the "party beach," but the rules have tightened up significantly over the last decade. Open containers on the beach are an easy way to get a ticket.
4. Pack a sweater.
Even if it's 75 degrees in downtown Charleston, the end of the pier is 1,000 feet into the ocean. The wind chill is real.
The new Folly Pier isn't just a place to catch dinner; it's the center of the island's identity. It's survived fires, hurricanes, and wood-eating worms. Whether you're there for the Spanish Mackerel or just to watch the waves, it's the one spot in Charleston that feels completely unpretentious.