13 Things to Do in Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island
Get on island time with these fun things to do in Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island!
Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island are major attractions in Charleston, though they can get extremely busy on summer weekends.
Thankfully, you’ve got me to help you plan your South Carolina barrier island visit!
As someone who grew up just over the Isle of Palms connector, I have spent most of my life exploring these beaches.
I’ve divided this guide into sections for Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island. Though they’re close together, they each have a unique feel, and I encourage you to visit both while in Charleston.
From waterfront restaurants to classic family beach vacations, this stretch of Carolina coast can’t be beat.
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Written 7/2022
The Best Things to Do in Isle of Palms
This thriving beach town has grown significantly over the last 30 years as the town recovered after Hurricane Hugo in 1989.
Today, families come from all over the South to enjoy the laid back island feeling, wide beaches, and stunning vacation homes here.
All of that is why I’ve named Isle of Palms one of the best East Coast islands for family vacations!
When visiting May through August, plan to get to the beach early so you can get parking and a good spot on the sand.
There are a lot of rules about parking on Isle of Palms: I’d suggest reading the latest rules and regulations on the Isle of Palms website.
1) Hang out on the Isle of Palms beach.
Isle of Palms pier | source
The beach is what you really came for, isn’t?
The beach is easy to access from Ocean Boulevard, the main shopping and dining area on Isle of Palms.
There is metered parking up and down Ocean Boulevard as well as lot parking off the same street.
If you’re not planning to spend the entire day at Isle of Palms, I’d suggest using metered parking, walking out via one of the public beach access paths, and watching the sunset.
If you’d like to make a day of it, I recommend the Isle of Palms County Park (below), though free beach access paths can be found all up and down Palm Boulevard.
Note: the large IOP pier is only accessible by the owners and visitors of the condos behind it. However, you can put your beach chairs under the pier for some shade.
Under the pier also makes for some great family photos!
2) Have a cookout at the Isle of Palms County Park.
The Cosmos Mariners kids at the Isle of Palms County Park
This is one of my family’s favorite places to go on the Charleston islands.
If you’re planning to visit the Charleston area multiple times in a year, or you’re going to make use of the Isle of Palms County Park several times during a week-long summer stay, I encourage you to get the Charleston County Gold Pass ($90 non-residents for 2022).
It is worth every penny!
The County Park also has clean bathrooms and changing areas, a small snack cart, volleyball courts, outdoor showers, and a dedicated lifeguard area.
The grills and covered picnic areas are free to use for anyone with paid admission to the park.
Because the park has finite parking space, it will fill up on holiday and summer weekends. Come early to ensure you’ll have a spot.
3) Enjoy brunch at Acme Lowcountry Kitchen.
Go for the daily brunch from 8 AM-3 PM: you won’t be sorry.
We love the gouda grits fries, the fried pecan chicken grits bowl, and the Clemson Wedge salad.
Their dinner is equally good!
No matter what time of day you go, be prepared to wait as the Acme Lowcountry Kitchen is extremely popular.
4) Catch the ferry to Dewees Island.
One of the roads through Dewees Island | source
If you want to know what Isle of Palms was like before it became super popular, you’ll want to visit Dewees Island.
It is an island community with no cars and only dirt roads—and some of the most beautiful beaches in Charleston.
To gain access to the island, you’ll need to rent a house here, but that might be the thing your family vacation needs this year!
The ferry leaves from the Isle of Palms Marina on the hour, and passengers can bring beach bags, chairs, etc. in the provided carts.
The ferry costs $20/person roundtrip. You will want to make reservations ahead of time.
>> Explore more of the Lowcountry with my Discover Charleston digital visitors guide! <<
5) Enjoy cocktails with a view at the Boathouse.
Situated all of the way at the southern end of Isle of Palms, the Boathouse has been a staple of island dining since 1997.
We’ve been there for birthdays, anniversaries, and fun nights out, and the Boathouse is always a delicious meal.
Head to the Inlet Bar for a quick drink overlooking Breach Inlet, or linger at the screened in Waterfront Deck, which is casual enough for family dining.
There’s also a fully enclosed indoor dining space for super hot or rainy days.
6) Relax at the Wild Dunes Resort.
The beach at Wild Dunes Resort
The Dunes West resort is huge, and has everything you for a fantastic beach week from two Tom Fazio golf courses to a private beach to on-site restaurants.
The golf courses are open to the public if you only wanted to go for the day.
My husband’s family owns a house in the Wild Dunes Resort, so we’ve got lots of experience having fun here.
It is always blast to gather for big family dinners, bike rides throughout the resort, plenty of time on the super wide beach, and splashing in the pools.
At the heart of Wild Dunes Resort at the Sweetgrass Inn and the Boardwalk Inn, both of which form a large complex.
Here, you’ll also find an ice cream shop, a beachside burger bar, and a gift shop.
>> Book your stay at the Sweetgrass Inn and Boardwalk Inn. <<
The Best Things to Do on Sullivan's Island
If Isle of Palms is kitschy and active, Sullivan’s Island is laid back and chic.
Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse
As soon as you cross over the Breach Inlet bridge from IOP to Sullivan’s, you’ll notice that the houses are more tucked back into foliage, and there are cute picket fences everywhere.
There’s also the iconic black and white Sullivan’s Island lighthouse on the island. While the lighthouse is still used by the Coast Guard (and, therefore, isn’t open to the public), it makes for a great photo backdrop.
You’ll want to spend most of your time around the intersection of Middle Street and Ben Sawyer Boulevard (aka Station 22 1/2).
Note: the roads on Sullivan’s Island are called “stations” from the island’s military days.
It’s basically the 22nd (plus a half measure) road to cross Middle Street from the southernmost tip of the island.
1) Grab a hamburger at Dunleavy's Pub.
It’s small, it’s dark, and it’s perfect!
If you’ve ever wanted an authentic Irish pub experience with a side of island life, Dunleavy’s Pub needs to be on your Charleston agenda.
In high school, I had friends who lived right down from this restaurant, and we’d order huge burgers to take back out on the beach.
They always tasted delicious with the salt air.
Today, the cheeseburgers are still delicious, and the place still only accepts cash.
If you’re visiting over New Year’s, don’t miss out on the annual Polar Bear Plunge, held on the beach behind Dunleavy’s.
Bring your most ridiculous costume!
2) Explore the island by bike.
Get the lay of the land with a guided tour. This route is perfect for first time visitors to Sullivan’s Island since you’ll get to learn an overview about the history of this area.
You’ll use an e-bike to get around easily on Sullivan’s Island before heading over the drawbridge to nearby Mount Pleasant.
The tour also will provide you with a look at Mount Pleasant’s Old Village, which is one of the best things to do in Mount Pleasant!
I’d recommend taking this tour in the fall, winter or spring when the weather in Charleston is milder.
You’ll enjoy it a lot more when you’re not pouring sweat.
3) Learn about American literature at Poe's Tavern.
The Cosmos Mariners kids at Poe’s Tavern
Sullivan’s Island has experienced an explosion of great restaurants in the last decade or so, and Poe’s is a standout among those (sort of) newcomers.
I am obsessed with the theming—literally everything Edgar Allan Poe—and I’ve always wanted to bring my American Literature class here to celebrate after finals.
Get the blue cheese coleslaw and the onion straws!
I’m a fan of the Pit and Pendulum with cheese, but you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.
All of the sandwiches at Poe’s Tavern have your choice of chicken, beef, or veggie burger, so there’s something for every palate.
Sit inside to experience the restaurant theming. If it’s a nice day, ask for a table outside so you can people watch along Middle Street.
4) Get everyone together at the Obstinate Daughter.
Interior of Obstinate Daughter on Sullivan’s Island | source
The funky nautical-inspired decor alone is worth a visit, but you’ll definitely want to stay for dinner, too!
My kids loved the rustic feel: it really does seem as if you’re dining in a ship.
The Obstinate Daughter serves up lunch and dinner every day with brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.
The super thin crust pizzas are delicious! Try The Old Danger, which is my favorite.
5) Try the gelato flavors at Beardcat's Sweet Shop.
Located just below The Obstinate Daughter, this cute store is the perfect place to end a long, fun day at the beach.
They have 10 standard flavors of gelato with another 10 rotating flavors.
Stracciatella and Pistachio are my 2 favorite flavors!
Beardcat’s also has pastries and coffee, but I’ve always bypassed those for the gelato.
I’ve heard good things, though.
6) Explore local history at Fort Moultrie Historical Park.
You’ll have to wander deep into Sullivan’s Island to get to Fort Moultrie National Historical Park, but the drive time is worth it.
This site has been a part of several major conflicts including the American Revolution, the Civil War, and World War II.
If you’re visiting with kids, they’re going to LOVE the interactive World War II bunkers, which is why it was included on my list of best things to do with kids in Charleston SC!
The property has lots of picnic tables, so make a day of it.
There are beach front views on the fort side of the property and marsh front views on the visitors center side.
7) Watch the container ships come in at Station 12.
Interstate and international commerce in action!
Even as an adult, I never get tired of watching these massive ships glide through the harbor.
Be aware of strong currents on either end of Sullivan’s Island.
You’ll have the perfect viewing spot on the beach at Station 12, where there’s a small free parking lot.
You shouldn’t get in the water here as the undertow can be deadly.
The currents are only exacerbated when the ships pass by—don’t leave valuables on the sand, or they can be swept out in a sudden surge.
I say this from experience. My sister and I were at the beach with my daughter when a container ship passed too closely to shore and caused a mini-tsunami.
Thankfully, we were okay, but we lost our shoes, sunglasses, and some baby toys.
Which of these things to do in Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island would you add to your next beach vacation?
