Isle of Palms, SC at a glance
- County
- Charleston County, South Carolina
- From downtown Charleston
- About 15 miles by road to Isle of Palms
- Bridges
- IOP Connector to Isle of Palms; Ben Sawyer swing bridge to Sullivan's
- Alcohol on the beach
- Not allowed on either island
- No swimming
- Breach Inlet, between the islands
Getting There
Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island are the two barrier islands east of Charleston, reached through Mount Pleasant. The Isle of Palms Connector (SC 517), finished in 1993, runs from Mount Pleasant over the marsh and the Intracoastal Waterway into the middle of Isle of Palms, about 15 miles by road from downtown. Sullivan's Island is reached by the Ben Sawyer Bridge, a swing bridge first built in 1945 and rebuilt in 2010, and a short bridge over Breach Inlet joins the two islands. Before the Connector opened, the Ben Sawyer was the only road onto either island.
Downtown Charleston, Shem Creek and the Fort Sumter ferry at Patriots Point are all a short drive back across Mount Pleasant; see the Charleston guide.
Isle of Palms
Isle of Palms is the larger of the two and holds most of the rental houses, along Palm Boulevard and the numbered avenues behind the beach. Front Beach, around Ocean Boulevard between 10th and 14th Avenues, is the busiest stretch, with shops, restaurants and paid parking; Isle of Palms County Park at 14th Avenue (run by Charleston County Parks, entrance fee) has facilities and, in season, lifeguards. Away from Front Beach the island is quieter and residential, with marsh and creek views on the back side facing the Intracoastal Waterway. Hurricane Hugo's storm surge flooded much of the island in September 1989.
Wild Dunes
The northeast end of Isle of Palms is Wild Dunes, a gated oceanfront resort community with controlled-access gates. It has two golf courses designed by Tom Fazio: the Links Course, whose closing holes run along the Atlantic, and the tighter Harbor Course, which plays through lagoons and salt marsh beside the Intracoastal Waterway. Many of the island's condos and villas are inside Wild Dunes. If you rent there, gate access is arranged through your rental; ask your host which resort facilities (pools, fitness, beach services) your stay includes, since that varies by property.
Sullivan's Island
Sullivan's Island is small and almost entirely residential, with few rentals and a low-key main street (Middle Street) of restaurants and bars. Its history is bigger than its size:
Fort Moultrie (1214 Middle Street) is part of Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park. The fort's defenders turned back a British fleet in 1776, and the site tells the story of coastal defence through World War II. As of October 2026 the NPS lists the grounds as open daily 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, closed on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas; check nps.gov/fosu. Edgar Allan Poe was stationed at Fort Moultrie in 1827–28 as a young soldier and later set his story "The Gold-Bug" on the island.
The Charleston Light, the triangular lighthouse near the fort, was first lit in 1962 and replaced the old Morris Island Lighthouse. The Coast Guard still runs the light and the National Park Service looks after the tower; it is not regularly open for climbs, but you can see it from the street and the beach.
Beach Rules and Safety (as of October 2026)
- Breach Inlet: no swimming or wading. The inlet between the two islands has strong, unpredictable currents, and people have drowned there despite the signs. Swimming and wading near the bridge are banned by ordinance, with fines. Stay out of the water there even when the sandbars look calm.
- Alcohol and glass are not allowed on either beach. Sullivan's Island also bans alcohol on its streets and boardwalks, and plastic, polystyrene and glass containers on the beach.
- Dogs on Isle of Palms must be leashed, except during off-leash hours: 5–9 am from April 1 to September 14, and 4 pm–10 am from September 15 to March 31. Sullivan's Island requires dogs to be licensed through Town Hall.
- Parking on Isle of Palms: paid parking is enforced March through October at the municipal lots and Front Beach meters. On the right of way, all four wheels must be off the road and beach paths must stay clear.
- Fireworks and open fires are not allowed on either island.
- Loggerhead sea turtles nest on both beaches in summer; keep off the dunes and leave nests alone.
Rules and fees change; the official pages are the City of Isle of Palms (iop.net) and the Town of Sullivan's Island (sullivansisland.sc.gov).
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Search stays on CielStay →Frequently asked questions
How far is Isle of Palms from downtown Charleston?
Isle of Palms is about 15 miles by road from downtown Charleston. You cross the Cooper River into Mount Pleasant and take the Isle of Palms Connector (SC 517) onto the island. Sullivan's Island is reached from Mount Pleasant over the Ben Sawyer Bridge.
Is Wild Dunes gated?
Yes. Wild Dunes, at the northeast end of Isle of Palms, is a resort community with controlled-access gates. Renters get gate access through their rental, and which resort facilities are included depends on the property.
Can you swim at Breach Inlet?
No. Swimming and wading at Breach Inlet, between Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms, are prohibited by ordinance because of strong, unpredictable currents, and people have drowned there. Swim on the open beach instead, ideally near a lifeguard.
Is alcohol allowed on the beach at Isle of Palms or Sullivan's Island?
No. Alcohol and glass bottles are prohibited on the Isle of Palms beach, and Sullivan's Island bans alcohol on its beaches, streets and boardwalks, along with glass, plastic and polystyrene containers on the beach.
What is there to see on Sullivan's Island?
Fort Moultrie, part of Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park, where Edgar Allan Poe was stationed in 1827–28; the triangular Charleston Light, first lit in 1962; and a quiet residential beach. The fort's grounds are open daily 9:00 am to 4:30 pm except major holidays (NPS, October 2026).
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Nearby landmarks & attractions
Key destinations and attractions in the Isle of Palms, SC area.
Sullivan's Island ↗ Maps
Small residential barrier island with Fort Moultrie and the Charleston Light.
Fort Moultrie ↗ Maps
National Park Service fort on Sullivan's Island; Poe was stationed here in 1827–28.
Wild Dunes ↗ Maps
Gated resort community on the northeast end of Isle of Palms with two Tom Fazio golf courses.
This guide was assembled from the local knowledge of hosts with properties throughout Isle of Palms, SC, as indexed by CielStay. The descriptions of restaurants, trails, swimming holes, and local tips reflect what hosts share with guests in their listings — not the observations of a travel journalist or guest reviewer. Photos are sourced from host listing images and are credited to their respective listings. Information about permits and trail conditions may change; always verify with official sources before your trip.