You’d Be Surprised To Learn That Port Royal, South Carolina Is One Of The Country’s Best Coastal Towns

South Carolina’s coast is beautiful and alluring, drawing over 25 million tourists every year. Starting at the northern part of our coastline, Myrtle Beach attracts a whopping 19 million of that total number, with Charleston, just past the center portion of the coastline, claiming another seven million. Beachwalker Park on one of Charleston’s barrier islands, Kiawah Island, has been named a top 10 best beach in America in Dr. Beach's rankings. And then another couple million visitors come each year to Hilton Head Island on our southern coast. But just north of there, you’ll find one of the best coastal towns in America, Port Royal, which has been called South Carolina’s most overlooked town in an article called American Beauties, as well as one of the best coastal cities in South Carolina. And that it surely is.

Port Royal has a fascinating history, having initially been fought over by the French, Spanish, English, and Native Americans.

In the mid-1800s, 1861 to be exact, it was one of the first towns in the Confederacy to fall to Union forces.

Founded as a town and railroad terminus in 1874, it later became significant in the phosphate, lumber, and cotton industries.

As those declined, fishing and shrimping thrived and grew throughout the early 1900s, revitalizing the area.

Still today, Port Royal is known for its delicious, fresh seafood.

Fishcamp on 11th Street, for example, is just one place where you can enjoy deliciously prepared seafood while in this charming South Carolina town.

Another wonderful spot for a bite to eat is Alvin Ord's...

... a sandwich shop in a rustic, casual setting.

If you like great sandwiches, you will love the food here!

The Sands Beach in Port Royal is a popular spot among locals.

They come here for great fishing, crabbing, and scavenging for shark's teeth.

There's also an incredible observation tower.

While there where you can climb to the top and take in scenic views for miles.

And you don't want to miss the Henry Robinson Boardwalk at The Sands Beach.

Take a stroll and look for dolphins, pelicans, wading shorebirds, and other wildlife. It's about a mile long and the perfect place to de-stress and relax for a while.

For a bit of shopping, the F. W. Scheper Store is a neat, late 1800s building in the heart of Port Royal on 8th Street.

It was originally a grocery and feed store opened by a German immigrant and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Today, it houses Nuances, a women's boutique clothing store that's fun and sassy.

Every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., rain or shine, you can shop for fresh local seasonal produce, shrimp, oysters, poultry, beef, pork, eggs, bread, and cheese at the farmer's market. You'll also find plants, ferns, camellias, azaleas, citrus trees, and beautiful, fresh-cut flower bouquets.

There are also food vendors there serving BBQ, dumplings, she-crab soup, crab cakes, paella, coffee, baked goods, bagels, and breakfast sandwiches. As you can see, there is so much to explore in this amazing coastal town in South Carolina. Not to mention the breathtaking sunsets at the end of a full day of fun.

For more information about this small town in South Carolina, see the Port Royal website, as well as the Port Royal SC Facebook page.

Have you ever been to Port Royal? If so, what was your favorite part? Would you agree that it is among the best small towns in South Carolina?  What other beach towns in SC have you visited? We'd love to read about your experience in the comments section below!

If you loved this article, be sure to read The Unassuming Town Of Irmo, South Carolina, Is One Of America's Best Hidden Gems For A Weekend Getaway.

Thinking about taking a vacay in South Carolina or further afield soon? Then consider booking your flight via the Dollar Flight Club.

If you’re still in the mood for more Palmetto State adventures, take a look at this video: