A summer vacation to the South Carolina coast is a treat for travelers of any age, and there are plenty of resorts and rentals to visit. Visitors who are interested in the beaches and islands near the city of Charleston won’t have to look far. Sullivan’s Island and the Isle of Palms are both about 20 minutes from the downtown area.
Each of these beach communities has its own personality. And, as is the case with many siblings, those personalities are quite different from one another.
Sullivan’s Island, SC Restaurants and Rentals
This beautiful barrier island east of the Cooper River isn’t a resort area. There are no big box beach stores, no boardwalk area with ice cream vendors or hot dog stands, heck – not even a stoplight! A few decades ago, the town installed one flashing traffic signal at the end of the causeway, but the island’s 700 residents complained so loudly that it was removed within three months.
But Sullivan’s Island is not without its charms. Or perhaps, all that lack of development is its charm. There are miles of beach open to the public, and property owners are very nice about letting visitors park along “their” grass (just pay attention to the signs).
There’s a wonderful playground area for kids of all ages. A big draw for history buffs is Ft. Moutrie, a seaside fort that saw action in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. Island children grow up playing hide and go seek among its hills and bunkers. There are a few restaurants in the downtown strip – the trendy Poe’s, a popular spot with the college crowd, and the more staid Station 22, which serves fresh seafood to local and visiting families every night.
To enjoy a little piece of this paradise, you’ll need to rent a house. There are no hotels on Sullivan’s Island, and that doesn’t seem likely to change anytime in the near future.
Isle of Palms, SC Resorts and Rentals
Visitors leaving Sullivan’s Island will cross over the intra-coastal waterway and onto the Isle of Palms. Originally known as Hunting Island, this barrier beach was renamed in 1898 to attract more tourists. And it worked! What was once a sleepy bedroom community of Charleston slowly developed into an important lowcountry destination. At least, part of it did.
Since the 1970s, Wild Dunes has served as a major resort destination, nationally recognized for its Tom Fabio-designed golf course and other seaside amenities. With hotels, villas and houses for rent within its boundaries, Wild Dunes also offers fine dining, shopping and spa services.
Visitors who aren’t looking for a resort experience can still enjoy the Isle of Palms. It has a vibrant city center district open to all – with plenty of bars, restaurants and shopping. The best surfing is near the pier, and the best beach volleyball is at the Windjammer. The beachfront boardwalk area has plenty of hotels and condominiums for rent, and many property owners offer their houses as rentals during the summer.
While there are a number of beaches and islands that Charleston, South Carolina can claim as its own, Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms are two of the best. With ocean breezes, friendly locals and down home southern charm to spare, days spent on these islands feel magical. They will these call you back time and again.
For more information on South Carolina travel, please read Discover Hidden Gems in a Trip to Charleston, South Carolina, Activities for Kids on a Myrtle Beach Vacation and Beach Safety: Teaching Kids How to Swim Safely in Ocean Water.
Janice Fahy - Janice Fahy is a freelance writer who is comfortable researching and writing on just about any topic under the sun.
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