Closest Beach To Knoxville TN: Know The Best Getaways

Sep 20, 2023

Last Updated on: Sep 23, 2026

Travel Guides

What is the closest beach to Knoxville TN? No, it does not. 

For the longest time, I have been planning a long beach holiday. But something else always turns up and ruins the plan. 

The kids have exams, and we have family commitments. So, our beach vacation was always limited to Douglas Lake or Cherokee Lake. 

However, I had done my research on the closest beach to me, and this time, we had a long weekend. 

So our road led to Sullivan’s Island, the closest beach to Knoxville, TN. That said, many beaches are near Knoxville, TN. 

For example, Myrtle Beach in South Carolina is one of the most popular ocean beaches near Tennessee. We also have Folly Beach in South Carolina and Oak Island in North Carolina. 

In today’s Tour and Travel blog, we will talk about the beaches near Knoxville, TN, and explain why they’re perfect for the ultimate Tennessee beach vacation.

What Is The Closest Beach To Knoxville, Tennessee? 

What Is The Closest Beach To Knoxville Tennessee? 

Our journey to the closest beaches to Knoxville, TN, starts with Sullivan’s Island, as promised. 

However, before taking you on a tour of these beaches, I wanted to share the best time to visit the closest beach to Knoxville, TN. 

Knoxville primarily has two tourist seasons. You can visit the closest beach to Knoxville, TN, between March and June and September and November. 

So, let’s begin the ultimate Knoxville beach journey. Here we go! 

1. Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina

Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina
  • Distance from Knoxville: 380.4 Miles
  • Travel Time: 6 Hours

I was looking for ocean beaches within 6 hours of me, and I found Sullivan’s Island. It is a barrier island covering about 8.91 km². 

Further, Sullivan’s Island, the closest beach to TN, stands out with its local history.

It has Fort Moultrie, built in 1776, which still tells the story of how it protected the city from cannonball attacks by warships. 

Moreover, Sullivan’s Island is important in literary history. Edgar Allan Poe was stationed at Fort Moultrie between November 1827 and December 1828.

2. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
  • Distance from Knoxville: 412 Miles
  • Travel Time: 6 Hours 46 Minutes

Sitting in Knoxville, I was looking for beaches within 7 hours of me. I found Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. 

Myrtle Beach is nothing short of a fantasy island, and it was once the hub of pirates. Further, Myrtle Beach is associated with the Indigenous people and roaming ghosts. 

A visit to Myrtle Beach is incomplete without exploring the Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach.

Also, spend time at Myrtle Beach State Park and the Myrtle Beach Pinball Museum. 

3. Folly Beach, South Carolina

Folly Beach, South Carolina
  • Distance from Knoxville: 383 Miles
  • Travel Time: 6 Hours 35 Minutes 

Folly Beach, one of the closest beaches to Knoxville, is the ultimate destination to stay, eat, play. and explore! 

Further, life on Folly Beach revolves around outdoor activities. You can have a casual stroll on the beach or do more adventurous activities like surfing, boating, kayaking, and biking.

Folly Beach offers the perfect beach vacation. 

Moreover, Folly Beach is a wonderful melting pot of modern entertainment and wildlife. You can attend the Annual Folly Festivals and enjoy birdwatching and wildlife. 

Blu Restaurant and Bar, Bert’s Market, and Bounty Bar are some popular places to eat on Folly Beach. 

4. Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Kiawah Island, South Carolina
  • Distance from Knoxville: 396.5 Miles
  • Travel Time: 6 Hours 30 Minutes

Kiawah Island, with a majority of marshland, is 6 hours and 16 minutes by car from Knoxville. 

To add to the adventure, the beach is often used for native wildlife watching!

Several locations across the beach are perfect for wildlife spotting! Two popular spots for this are Canvasback Duck Pond and Marsh Island Park.

Plus, Kiawah has two scenic observation towers that offer a 360-degree view of the sea and land! 

If you are a hiker or like to bike, this beach is perfect! They have natural paths for these types of adventures.

For accommodation, you can rent a private 2nd-story deck to enjoy stunning ocean views. 

There is one popular restaurant called Jasmine Porch where you can splurge on good food, especially the Low-country favourites such as

  • Shrimp and grits,
  • She-crab bisque,
  • Fresh seafood,
  • Po’boys,
  • Burgers!

5. Isle Of Palms, South Carolina

Isle Of Palms, South Carolina
  • Distance from Knoxville: 383 Miles
  • Travel Time: 6 Hours 30 Minutes

There is a playground for children, so this is the perfect destination if you have kids. 

There is also a picnic area, so if you plan to spend the whole day out, you can go to this beach. For accommodation, there is a single-family cottage which is well decorated!

Food is another important part of the vacation, so I suggest the Sea Biscuit Cafe! Try out the seafood omelettes, shrimp, and gravy because these are the low-country options.

6. Hilton Head, South Carolina

Hilton Head, South Carolina
  • Distance from Knoxville: 411 Miles
  • Travel Time: 6 Hours 32 Minutes

You have to visit this beach for the best sunsets across the water! Just 6 hours and 26 minutes from Knoxville, this coastal paradise is worth a visit. 

If you plan to stay the night, you can book a resort rental. You can enjoy the outdoor and indoor pool, a tiki bar, etc.

You must try the coastal-area food, especially crab cakes, sandwiches, shrimp, grits, and salads. 

7. Oak Island, North Carolina

Oak Island, North Carolina
  • Distance from Knoxville: 441.5 Miles
  • Travel Time: 7 Hours 14 Minutes

If you are looking for a scenic beach, Oak Island is the place to visit for all adventurous activities. 

Water sports are quite famous here. You can also see Fort Caswell, used in the 1800s and 1900s. This is one of the beaches near Knoxville, TN!

It takes 7 hours and 8 minutes to reach the beach, and you can visit the island lighthouse, which sits right beside the fort. 

Oak Island Nature Centre offers a perfect walk at the beach, so if you are a nature lover, you know where to go!

For outdoor adventures, kayaking is a great option. Many family homes and rentals are a short distance from March Beach, offering incredible views across the water.

If you visit the beach, you must try scrumptious food items such as steak, chicken, and pasta, along with delicious seafood.

8. Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina
  • Distance from Knoxville: 442 Miles

The beach is a little farther from Knoxville, TN, taking about 7 hours and 23 minutes. 

Wilmington has three beaches: Kure, Carolina, and Wrightsville. All three are among the best beaches near Knoxville.

Beyond common activities like shopping and dining, you can also go on catamaran cruises, visit the History Museum, and attend fairs and seasonal festivals.

The Fred and Alice Stanback Coastal Education Center organizes educational programs and treasure hunts for children. 

For food, you will find some of the best cheeseburgers at this closest beach to Knoxville, TN! If you are a picky eater, you will find various options, from steaks to seafood platters.

9. Kure Beach, North Carolina, Closest Beach To Knoxville, TN

Kure Beach, North Carolina, Closest Beach To Knoxville, TN 
  • Distance from Knoxville: 449.5 Miles
  • Travel Time: 7 Hours 30 Minutes

Kure Beach is beautiful, and the North Carolina Aquarium is located at Fort Fisher. 

Key features include a nature play area, an adventure reef, and touch tanks.

This beach is 7 hours and 31 minutes away. 

Besides the beach, you can also visit places such as the Civil War Museum, the Fort Fisher State Site, beach cruises, a dog park, and a playground in front of the beach.

You cannot miss the food such as burgers, sandwiches, seafood and pasta! I am already drooling!

10. Tybee Island, Georgia: Closest Beach To Knoxville, TN

Tybee Island, Georgia: Closest Beach To Knoxville, TN
  • Distance from Knoxville: 434 Miles
  • Travel Time: 7 Hours

The beach is 6 hours and 55 minutes by road from Knoxville. Some of the place’s main attractions are the restaurants and the quaint little shops. 

The beach is popular with people looking for a relaxing haunt near Tennessee. It is the closest beach to Tennessee!

It is a low-key beach situated just outside of Savanah! Beyond relaxing on the beach, you can also enjoy amenities in Savanah.

This includes museums, historic architecture, upscale shops, ghost tours, and other attractions perfect for family outings.

Beautiful rentals are close to the beach and a 1-minute distance from where you can enjoy some stunning visuals. 

The food available in and around the place is quite popular! One such restaurant near the waterfront is Bubba Gumbo.

The seafood Gumbo is their signature dish! You can also order fried fish, jambalaya, burgers, and crab cakes. They also popularly serve shrimp.

11. Simon’s Island, Georgia: Closest Beach To Knoxville, TN

  • Distance from Knoxville: 491.2 Miles
  • Travel Time: 7 Hours 32 Minutes

The beach is 7 hours and 42 minutes from Knoxville, TN! The beach Oasis is a perfect place to relax, with amenities that make life easier. 

The Neptune Park Fun Zone offers family attractions.

You can also find a store to rent water-sports accessories, restaurants, and several shops that offer good food and equipment for the beach vacation, such as sunscreen, sunglasses, and more.

There is also a family beach rental with a private swimming pool. The rental can host a family and is pretty close to the lighthouse. 

You cannot miss the delicious food available on this closest beach to Knoxville, TN! Once the restaurant opens, Porch will offer fried catfish, shrimp, and fried chicken.

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Sibashree is a travel, culture, and leisure writer who has been writing since the age of 12 and professionally since 2014. With more than a decade of travel writing experience and journeys across India and several parts of the world, she brings a deeply personal and thoughtful perspective to her work. A student of English Literature and Mass Communication, Sibashree has always viewed travel as more than movement — for her, it has been a way of understanding people, cultures, and herself. Her passion for spiritual exploration has also led her to many unusual and meaningful destinations over the years. Outside of writing, Sibashree enjoys watching European cinema, reading about global politics, and reflecting on the stories hidden within everyday places.

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