You can drive on the beach again in Port Royal for Memorial Day weekend, with changes
You’ll soon be able to drive on the beach again in Port Royal, but there are new limits.
Town officials plan to remove this weekend the barriers that have prevented cars and golf cars from entering The Sands during the coronavirus pandemic. The small beach at the mouth of Battery Creek is a popular spot for shark-teeth hunters and festive tailgating.
It is unique in the area in that cars, trucks and golf carts can pull right up to the water.
Or least they could.
The town will cordon off part of the beach to stop vehicles short of the waterfront where people congregate. Golf carts will still have access to the beachfront on each side of the barrier.
The move is part of a broader plan “to formalize some portions of the Sands,” town manager Van Willis said.
Port Royal surveyed residents in 2018 as its parks and recreation commission considered potential changes to parking and safety. Respondents overwhelmingly said they wanted vehicle access to continue, Willis said.
A designated parking area will allow for a larger and safer area for people to enjoy near the water, town officials say.
Other beaches in Beaufort County also reopened in time for Memorial Day.
Hunting Island State Park reopened May 1 with limited hours but access to the beaches. Cars have lined up down Sea Island Parkway to enter the park during peak times.
Hilton Head Island planned to open its last beach access point Friday in time for the Memorial Day weekend and to restore parking at Coligny Beach. Two beach access points previously open only to beach pass holders, Driessen and Islanders Beach Parks, will resume normal parking on Friday.
Hilton Head officials said they were concerned about behavior as people rushed back to the beaches last weekend, including people moving parking barriers, parking on private property and being unruly toward security attendants and town staff.
This story was originally published May 22, 2020 at 2:35 PM.
