What to Do in Pawleys Island, SC This Week: January 2026 News and Events

Welcome to a new week on the strand. Cooler mornings and sunny afternoons make this a great time to savor quiet beaches, warm bowls of chowder, and crisp marsh views around Pawleys Island. Below are community happenings, volunteer opportunities, and simple ways to get outside and meet your neighbors.

This Week at a Glance

• Sun Jan 11 - Sunset Shell Stroll, 4:30 pm, North End Access: Join a naturalist-led walk to spot winter shells and learn respectful collecting. Family friendly. Dress for a breeze.
• Mon Jan 12 - Coffee with Town Staff, 9:00 am, Town Hall Porch: Hear seasonal beach and dune updates, share concerns, and pick up the current beach regulations handout.
• Tue Jan 13 - Sunrise Beach Yoga, 7:15 am, South End: Gentle flow suitable for beginners. Bring a mat or towel and layers.
• Wed Jan 14 - Midweek Marsh Cleanup, 9:00 am, Causeway: Gloves and bags provided. Help remove litter before the next high tide pushes it into the creek.
• Thu Jan 15 - Cozy Storytime and Craft, 10:00 am, Waccamaw Neck Library: Winter tales followed by a make-and-take lighthouse craft. Best for ages 3-7 with a caregiver.
• Fri Jan 16 - Community Oyster Roast, 5:30-8:00 pm, Hammock Shops Village green: Oysters by the bucket, chili station, and acoustic tunes. Bring a chair, oyster knife, and reusable cup.
• Sat Jan 17 - Winter Bird Walk, 8:00-10:00 am, South Causeway Pull-off: Scan for loons, mergansers, and marsh sparrows with a local birder. Binoculars recommended. Free, donations welcome.
• Sat Jan 17 - Creekside Paddling Basics, 11:00 am-12:30 pm, Public Kayak Launch: Safety briefing, strokes, and a short loop on the calm side of the creek. Limited spots, preregistration requested.
• Sat Jan 17 - Soup and Cornbread Social, 12:30-2:00 pm, Chapel Lawn: Potluck style. Label allergens and bring a ladle. Perfect warm-up after the morning outings.

Spotlight: Winter on the Water

January waters are clear and quiet. If you are new to the tidal creeks, start with the Saturday paddling basics or join a guided walk along the Causeway to learn where currents run strongest. On calm days, early mornings can offer glassy reflections and dolphin sightings off the south end. Pack a dry layer and let someone on shore know your plan and return time.

For Foodies and Friends

The Community Oyster Roast on Friday is the social event of the week. Expect local clusters, hot sauce, lemon, and a pot of coastal stew for non-oyster folks. Reusable cups and water bottles help keep waste down. If you have extra oyster knives or work gloves, bring a few to share.

Family Corner

Thursday morning storytime adds a cozy pause to the week and sends little ones home with a craft. On Saturday, families can split the morning between the bird walk and the paddling intro, then reunite for the Soup and Cornbread Social. Remember small towels and a change of socks for kids who cannot resist the shoreline.

Stewardship Notes

Winter high tides can creep higher than expected. Park only in designated spots, keep off the dunes, and secure trash and fishing line so it does not blow into the marsh. Volunteers on Wednesday will have grabbers and gloves, but bring your own water bottle.

Plan Ahead: Later This Month

- Mon Jan 19: MLK Day Service and Shoreline Day of Service, 9:00 am, meet at the Causeway for a brief reflection followed by small-group litter pickups across several access points. - Sat Jan 24: Hammock Weavers Demo and Local Makers Pop-up, afternoon on the village green. - Thu Jan 29: Winter Astronomy Night, 6:30 pm, north beach access parking area, with star maps and hot cocoa. - Sat Jan 31: Creek Ecology Walk, 9:00 am, focusing on oysters as living reefs and natural water filters.

Have an event to share next week or a volunteer success story from your group? Drop a note to the editor by midweek so we can include it in the upcoming bulletin. Until then, see you on the sand and along the creek bends in Pawleys Island.