The Edwin S. Taylor Folly Beach Fishing Pier stretches 1,049 feet into the Atlantic Ocean from the center of town, making it one of the best places for saltwater fishing near Charleston and the easiest way to get out over the water on Folly Beach. Walking the pier is free; anglers need a daily fishing pass ($7 adults, $4 kids, seniors, and military). Hours change by season, and parking at the pier lot ranges from $5 to $25 depending on the time of year. Everything you need to know is below. New to the island? Start with our complete guide to Folly Beach.
Folly Beach Pier Quick Facts
- Address: 101 E. Arctic Ave., Folly Beach, SC 29439
- Length: 1,049 feet long, 25 feet wide, and 22 feet above sea level
- Walking the pier: Free
- Fishing pass: $7 adults; $4 for kids 12 and under, seniors 60+, and active military
- Rod rental: $15 per day plus a $25 deposit
- Fishing hours: Opening until sunset (no fishing after dark)
- Parking: $5–$25 per vehicle depending on season; free for walk-ins and bicyclists
- Operated by: Charleston County Parks, 843-795-4386
Folly Beach Pier Hours
The pier is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Hours vary by season:
- January–February: 8 a.m.–sunset
- March: 7 a.m.–sunset
- April–October: 6 a.m.–10 p.m.
- November: 7 a.m.–sunset
- December: 8 a.m.–sunset
Fishing ends at sunset year-round, even when the pier stays open later in summer. The gift and tackle shop closes 30 minutes before the pier closes.
Fishing Passes and Rod Rentals
Buy your daily fishing pass at the gift and tackle shop at the pier entrance and keep it visible while you fish. The pier uses a cashless payment system, with a cash-to-card kiosk on site.
- Adults: $7 per day
- Kids 12 and under, seniors 60+, and active military: $4 per day
- Groups of 10 or more: $4 per person
- Rod rental: $15 for a full day, plus a $25 deposit
The shop also sells bait, tackle, and souvenirs. Depending on the season, anglers catch flounder, red drum, sheepshead, whiting, and Spanish mackerel off the pier.
Folly Beach Pier Fishing Rules
- No fishing after sunset.
- Two rods per person, fished from a single station. Don’t leave coolers or gear at other spots to save them.
- Hooks must be size 4/0 or smaller.
- Whole bait must be finger mullet size or smaller; cut bait must be smaller than 2 x 2 x 2 inches.
- Steel or wire leaders are not allowed for bottom fishing.
- Shark fishing is prohibited, with fines of up to $500 and up to 30 days in jail.
- Follow all SCDNR size and catch limits, and release any fish you won’t keep.
- Landing nets are for landing your catch only, not for crabbing. Cast nets are allowed where they don’t interfere with other anglers.
Parking at the Folly Beach Pier
The pier has its own paid lot right at the entrance. Rates for a standard vehicle change with the season:
- January–February: $5
- March: $10
- April: $15
- May–Labor Day: $15 weekdays, $25 weekends and holidays
- September (after Labor Day): $15
- October: $10
- November–December: $5
Walk-ins and bicyclists get in free. The lot fills quickly on summer weekends and holidays, so arrive early or walk over from nearby Folly Beach hotels and oceanfront condos. If you park on the street, read our Folly Beach parking guide first to avoid a ticket.
Pier Rules for All Visitors
- No outside alcohol. Alcoholic drinks are allowed only if purchased from the pier restaurant or at special events.
- No smoking, vaping, or tobacco use.
- No bicycles, skates, or skateboards on the pier.
- Service animals only. Never leave a pet in a parked car. (See our Folly Beach dog rules for the beach.)
- No drones, fireworks, grills, or open flames.
- No jumping from the pier.
- There are no lifeguards on the pier. Keep a close eye on children.
Dining at Koko’s on the Pier
Koko’s on the Pier is the pier’s tiki-style restaurant and bar, serving tropical, “Follynesian” twists on seafood and coastal fare with ocean views and regular live music. It’s open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Browse more Folly Beach restaurants nearby.
Events on the Pier
The pier’s most popular tradition is the Moonlight Mixers series, Friday-night dances with DJs and live bands from 7 to 10 p.m. on select dates from May through September (tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the gate). Charleston County Parks also hosts fishing tournaments on the pier. See the Folly Beach events calendar for upcoming dates.
A Walk Through Folly Pier’s History
- 1930s: The original Folly Pier, Atlantic Pavilion, and boardwalk were built alongside the Ocean Hotel and became a major entertainment hub. In 1937, more than 15,000 people gathered here to celebrate the Fourth of July.
- 1950s–1960s: After a fire at the Ocean Front Hotel, the area was reimagined as the Ocean Plaza, with amusement rides, a roller-skating rink, and a 1,700-foot boardwalk lined with shops.
- 1977: A fire destroyed the pier once again.
- 1989: Hurricane Hugo made landfall near Sullivan’s Island, damaging structures across Folly Beach.
- 1995: A new wooden pier opened and became one of Charleston’s favorite recreation spots.
- December 26, 2022: Today’s pier reopened after a full rebuild, with concrete pilings, two covered, widened fishing areas, and a 7,500-square-foot diamond-shaped platform at the end.
Things to Do Near the Pier
- Walk to the end of the pier for sunrise and sunset views, and watch for pelicans and dolphins from the rails.
- Grab lunch or a tropical drink at Koko’s on the Pier.
- Check the Folly Beach tide chart and walk the beach at low tide.
- Head to the north end for views of the Morris Island Lighthouse.
- Spend a beach day with lifeguards at Folly Beach County Park.
Hours, fees, and rules are from Charleston County Parks for the 2026 season and can change. Check with the pier before your visit.
