Pawleys Island, South Carolina: Awards and accolades for the vacation art of “doing nothing”

PAWLEYS ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA–APRIL 2021–The shifting sands, rhythmic waters, ocean breezes and coastal sunsets have long drawn visitors to Pawleys Island, South Carolina. As one of the oldest resorts on the east coast, Pawleys has welcomed generations of travelers looking to escape and refresh. Relaxing on an island with no shops, no crowds, not even a stop light is even more appealing this year.

The art of “doing nothing” is highly rated. That’s why Pawleys Island placed second as a readers’ choice in Garden & Gun’s “Favorite Southern Beach Town” brackets this spring, making it all the way to the final championship round. That’s just one of the many accolades this part of South Carolina’s Hammock Coast has been awarded over the years, from TripAdvisor to National Geographic, from Golf Digest to Golfweek and from Coastal Living to Southern Living. The superlatives cover everything from charming accommodations and golfing to dining and the nearby Brookgreen Gardens. Even the famed Pawleys Island hammocks have earned praise, becoming an iconic symbol of whiling away the day.

A four-mile-long barrier island that provides vacationers stunning beach front, abundant eco-activities and some of the Palmetto State’s premier restaurants and cultural attractions, Pawleys Island is located in the heart of South Carolina’s acclaimed Hammock Coast. Just 70 miles north of Charleston, here and on the Pawleys mainland visitors enjoy shelling and beach combing, crabbing and fishing, kayaking and birding and much more.

Mark A. Stevens, director of tourism development for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce, notes “The success and awards Pawleys Island has enjoyed reflects the love vacationers have for the community and the Hammock Coast in general. With so many people looking forward to the opportunity to travel, many of them are looking for that low-rise, Lowcountry, laid-back getaway.” He adds with a smile, “Many try to add an apostrophe between the ‘s’ and ‘y’ in Pawleys, but its founder wouldn’t have wanted it to be referred to in the possessive. Everyone can enjoy this special place.”

Travel journalists can find a wealth of information and story ideas, as well as downloadable, high-res photos for Pawleys Island at this 24/7 resource, It’s amazing all the ways visitors can “do nothing,” and they’re all outlined on the Travel Media Press Room.