With hurricane season in full swing and spooky season right around the corner, we’re bringing you one of the Lowcountry’s most iconic legends: The Gray Man of Pawleys Island.

For over 200 years, beachgoers and locals have reported sightings of a shadowy figure dressed in gray, silently wandering the shoreline just before a hurricane makes landfall. According to the legend, those who see him—and evacuate—are mysteriously spared from the worst of the storm. In some cases, entire homes were left untouched while neighboring properties were destroyed.

Most believe the Gray Man is the ghost of a young man who died tragically in a storm while riding to see his love. His spirit is said to return not in vengeance, but in warning. Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, the legend lives on—and every hurricane season, locals keep one eye on the tide.

Bonus Ghost Tale: The Bride of Battery Park

If you love a good Charleston ghost story, there’s another tragic spirit worth knowing: The Bride of Battery Park. In the late 1800s, a young bride-to-be died suddenly just before her wedding, and it’s said she still walks the streets near the Battery in her wedding dress, searching for her groom. On foggy evenings, some say they’ve seen her figure drifting along the seawall.

Charleston is full of charm, but it’s also full of chilling tales—especially this time of year. Whether you’re prepping your hurricane kit or just in the mood for a little Lowcountry folklore, we hope these legends give you something to talk about at your next porch party. 🌀👻