Active Pursuits

Beaches

Three great beaches are within a 25-minute drive of the center of Charleston.

In the West Islands, Folly Beach, which had degenerated into a funky Coney Island-type amusement park, is making a comeback following a multimillion-dollar cleanup, but it remains the least pristine beach in the area. The best bathroom amenities are located here, however. At the western end of the island is the Folly Beach County Park, with bathrooms, parking, and shelter from the rain. To get here, take U.S. 17 East to S.C. 171 South to Folly Beach.

In the East Cooper area, both the Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island offer miles of public beaches, mostly bordered by beachfront homes. Windsurfing and jet-skiing are popular here. Take U.S. 17 East to S.C. 703 (Ben Sawyer Blvd.). S.C. 703 continues through Sullivan's Island to the Isle of Palms.

Kiawah Island has the area's most pristine beach -- far preferable to Folly Beach, to our tastes -- and draws a more upmarket crowd. The best beachfront is at Beachwalker County Park, on the southern end of the island. Get there before noon on weekends; the limited parking is usually taken by then. Canoe rentals are available for use on the Kiawah River, and the park offers not only a boardwalk, but also bathrooms, showers, and a changing area. Take U.S. 17 East to S.C. 171 South (Folly Beach Rd.), and turn right onto S.C. 700 Southwest (Maybank Hwy.) to Bohicket Road, which turns into Betsy Kerrison Parkway. Where Betsy Kerrison Parkway dead-ends, turn left on Kiawah Parkway, which takes you to the island.

Biking

Charleston is basically flat and relatively free of traffic, except on its main arteries at rush hour. Therefore, biking is a popular local pastime and reasonably safe. Many of the city parks have biking trails. Your best bet for the rental of conventional bicycles is Bike the Bridge Rentals, 6 Vendue Range (tel. 843/853-BIKE [2453]), which rents bikes for $10 to $15 per hour, or for $25 to $45 per day, depending on the model. It also conducts 3-hour bike tours of Charleston's historic core, usually on Sunday morning when traffic is less dense. It also specializes in tours of the flatlands around Charleston, guiding cyclists "Over the (Ravenel) Bridge" to territories beyond the city.

Boating

A true Charlestonian is as much at home on the sea as on land. Sailing local waters is a popular family pastime. One of the best places for boat rentals is Isle of Palms Marina, Isle of Palms (tel. 843/886-0209; www.iop.net/community/iopmarina.aspx), where 18-foot boats, big enough for seven people, rent for around $240 for 4 hours, plus fuel. A larger boat, big enough for 10, goes for about $375 to $450 for 4 hours, plus fuel.

Diving

Several outfitters provide rentals and ocean charters, as well as instruction for neophytes. At Atlantic Coast Diving, 426 W. Coleman Blvd., Mt. Pleasant (tel. 843/884-1500; www.charlestondiving.com), you can rent both diving and snorkeling equipment. Diving equipment costs $40 per day. It's open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm.

Fishing

Freshwater fishing charters are available year-round along the Low Country's numerous creeks and inlets. The waterways are filled with flounder, trout, spot-tail, and channel bass. Some of the best striped-bass fishing available in America can be found at nearby Lake Moultrie.

Offshore-fishing charters for reef fishing (where you'll find fish such as cobia, black sea bass, and king mackerel) and for the Gulf Stream (where you fish for sailfish, marlin, wahoo, dolphin, and tuna) are also available. Both types of charters can be arranged at the previously recommended Isle of Palms Marina, Isle of Palms (tel. 843/886-0209). A fishing craft holding up to 10 people rents for $875 for 6 hours, including everything but food and drink. Reservations must be made 24 hours in advance.

Folly Beach Fishing Pier (tel. 843/588-3474; www.ccprc.com) at Folly Beach is a wood pier, 25 feet wide, that extends 1,045 feet into the Atlantic Ocean. Facilities include restrooms, a tackle shop, and a restaurant. It's accessible to people with disabilities.

Golf

Charleston is said to be the home of golf in America. Charlestonians have been playing the game since the 1700s, when the first golf clubs arrived from Scotland. With 26 public and private courses in the area, there's a golf game waiting for every buff.

Wild Dunes Resort, Isle of Palms (tel. 843/886-6000; www.wilddunes.com), offers two championship golf courses designed by Tom Fazio. The Links [SSS] is a 6,387-yard, par-70 layout that takes the player through marshlands, over or into huge sand dunes, through a wooded alley, and into a pair of oceanfront finishing holes once called "the greatest east of Pebble Beach, California." The course has been ranked among the 100 greatest courses in the United States by Golf Digest and among the top 100 in the world by Golf Magazine. Golf Digest has also ranked the Links as the 13th-greatest resort course in America. The Harbor Course offers 6,402 yards of Low Country marsh and Intracoastal Waterway views. This par-70 layout is considered to be target golf, challenging players with 2 holes that play from one island to another across Morgan Creek. Greens fees at these courses can range from $85 to $165, depending on the season. Both courses are open daily 7am to 6pm year-round.

Your best bet, if you'd like to play at any of the other Charleston-area golf courses, is to contact Charleston Golf, Inc. (tel. 800/774-4444; www.charlestongolfguide.com; Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm). The company represents 17 golf courses, offering packages that range from $100 to $150 per person March to August. Off-season packages range from $75 to $110 per person. Prices include greens fees on one course, the use of a golf cart, a hotel room based on double occupancy, and taxes. Travel pros here will customize your vacation with golf-course selections and tee times; they can also arrange rental cars and airfares. Reservations must be made 1 week in advance.

Hiking

The most interesting hiking trails begin around Buck Hall in Francis Marion National Forest (tel. 843/887-3257), located some 40 miles north of the center of Charleston via U.S. 17-N. The site consists of 250,000 acres of swamps, with towering oaks and pines. Also in the national forest, Buck Hall Recreation, reached by U.S. 17/701 North from Charleston, has 15 camping sites ($15-$20 per night), plus a boat ramp and fishing. Other hiking trails are at Edisto Beach State Park, State Cabin Road, on Edisto Island (tel. 843/869-2156).

Tennis

Charlestonians have been playing tennis since the early 1800s. Your best bet is the Family Circle Tennis Center, 161 Seven Farms Dr. (tel. 843/849-5300; www.familycirclecup.com), which charges hourly rates ranging from $10 to $15 per person. Hours are Monday to Thursday 8am to 8pm, Friday 8am to 7pm, Saturday 8am to 5pm, and Sunday 9am to 5pm. The location is northeast of the center of Charleston, about a 10-minute drive from the airport.