Isle of Palms
Wide, sandy beaches and a fun, energetic beach vibe.
About IOP.
Isle of Palms is located just to the northeast of Sullivan’s Island over the Hunley Bridge at Breach Inlet. IOP is more populated than Sullivan’s and is going to offer a ‘busier’/more energetic beach experience for you.
The Wild Dunes Resort is located at the northern end of Isle of Palms.
Tips & Insight.
During the summer, it can get crowded as beachgoers flock here for a few reasons:
On IOP, they aren’t nearly as strict with the alcohol rules as on Sullivan’s Island. By the letter of the law, alcohol is prohibited on all SC beaches. But it’s not really enforced here like it is on Sullivan’s. While you may see some people drinking straight out of a beer can, most are still cautious and pour it in a plastic cup or YETI.
The waves are definitely bigger and better on IOP than they are on Sullivan’s (even though it’s super close geographically). So, if you are into surfing or boogie boarding, you’ll be happier with the waves here. Typically, you’re still not going to get huge swells here, but the waves on IOP appeal to surfers of all levels.
With it being a bit more crowded than Sullivan’s, Isle of Palms has a bit of a more ‘energetic’ vibe. You’re more likely to see large groups of people gathering and playing beach games on IOP. While that definitely happens on Sullivan’s, it’s typically smaller groups.
Beach Access.
Just like Sullivan’s Island has ‘Stations’, you’ll track your location on Isle of Palms by the Avenues, which go from low to high as you head further north on the island. There are beach access spots tied to these Avenue locations. So, for example, if someone says to meet you at the 26th Ave access, you’ll park near 26th Avenue and walk down that beach access.
Places to Park.
Here’s the parking situation and beach access options on IOP:
There’s paid parking by meter on Ocean Boulevard near Front Beach between 10th - 14th Avenues. You’ll need to find the kiosk and pay, then put the receipt on your dash.
There’s also paid parking near the IOP Pier in the City lots. These are on Pavilion Drive.
You can also park off street between 21st and 40th Avenues in the designated areas (just pay attention to the signs). However, there are rules: you need to park parallel to the main road and at least 4 feet away from the pavement. You must also park in the same direction as moving traffic. Otherwise, you’ll likely get a ticket.
Our personal favorite location for the beach at IOP is in the 25th to 30th Avenue area. No real reason besides that’s where we’ve always seemed to end up.