Scratch and Dent Appliances in Isle of Palms, SC

There’s a reason Isle of Palms, South Carolina, has long been a favorite beach escape for Charleston locals.

The barrier island has seven miles of pristine shoreline, along with waterfront restaurants, plenty of ways to get out on the water, and a laid-back, low-key atmosphere that feels removed from the city—even though downtown Charleston is just a short 30-minute drive away. And with such a variety of things to see and do here both on and out of the water, Isle of Palms has earned the nickname the “Coney Island of the South.”

Summer is naturally a popular time to visit Isle of Palms. But Fora travel advisor Caroline Bernthal makes a strong case for the shoulder seasons. “This area is really stunning in the shoulder seasons—spring and fall,” she says. “The temperatures are still warm, there are no crowds, and it’s a really peaceful getaway.” With all this in mind, here’s where to stay, eat, and spend your time on Isle of Palms.

Here’s what you need to know before planning a trip to Isle of Palms, South Carolina.

Best Things to Do

There’s no shortage of ways to trade the sand for the sea. Rent a kayak or paddleboard, take a surf lesson with locally owned IOP Surf Lessons, or head out on an eco-tour through the area’s tidal creeks and salt marshes. Sunset is an especially good time to hit the water, when dolphin-spotting cruises—several companies, including Barrier Island Eco Tours, offer these excursions—pair wildlife watching with golden-hour views. For groups, Bernthal recommends Carolina Cabana Cruises, which offers private two-hour outings around the Charleston Harbor with music, floats, and even karaoke.

With a wide stretch of sandy shoreline, Isle of Palms County Park has plenty of room to spread out for a day at the beach. Boardwalks and accessible ramps make it easier to get to the sand, while amenities include a playground, a beach volleyball court, restrooms, and seasonal lifeguards. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available to rent, so you can show up without having to haul too much gear.

When you need a break from the beach—or simply feel like strolling—head to the Front Beach Commercial District, Isle of Palms’ compact downtown area, located just steps from the sand. Centered along Ocean Boulevard, it’s home to casual restaurants and bars, surf shops, and beachy boutiques, making it an easy place to grab a bite, browse the shops, and settle in for a drink after a day in the sun.

For a change of scenery, head to neighboring Sullivan’s Island, situated just a short drive from Isle of Palms. Start at Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historic Park, which covers more than 250 years of American coastal defense before heading to the striking black-and-white Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse. From there, grab lunch or a drink along Middle Street before making your way back.

Where to Eat and Drink

A favorite for Lowcountry classics, Acme Lowcountry Kitchen serves breakfast, brunch, and dinner in a casual setting near the beach. Seafood is the star of the show here—especially the shrimp and grits and crab cakes, which Bernthal says are a must-order.

Come to Coconut Joe’s Beach Grill for the ocean views, and stay for the seafood—the coconut shrimp and fish tacos are two favorites—and what Bernthal calls a “laid-back, kids-and-margaritas kind of place.” Upstairs, Tequila Ted’s Rooftop Bar overlooks the Atlantic, and hosts live music Wednesday through Sunday in season.

Set inside a cottage, Sea Biscuit Cafe has been an Isle of Palms institution since 1986. Open for breakfast and lunch, the eatery sticks largely to the classics—think omelets, pancakes, eggs Benedict, and plenty of biscuits, best enjoyed smothered in gravy, of course. Just bring cash and consider getting there early, as the small dining room can fill up quickly.

The Windjammer is part restaurant, part legendary live-music venue, with a buzzy beachfront setting that keeps things lively well beyond dinner. Sure, there’s seafood, but the menu also covers hearty sandwiches, juicy burgers, wings, and other comfort classics.

Vintage rowboats hang from the ceiling at this cozy, family-owned seafood spot overlooking Breach Inlet. Southern staples include fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese, peel-and-eat shrimp, spicy shrimp and grits, and crab cakes. And don’t sleep on the sides: The self-proclaimed “Best-Ever” collard greens are worthy of its confident name.

Where to Stay

For Bernthal, there’s one clear choice when it comes to staying on Isle of Palms: Wild Dunes Resort. The sprawling oceanfront property has two miles of beach, two primary inns, as well as pools, tennis, pickleball, and golf, making it an easy choice for couples and families alike. Accommodations range from classic hotel rooms and suites at the Sweetgrass Inn and Boardwalk Inn to spacious condos and vacation homes, so there’s plenty of flexibility depending on how—and with whom—you’re traveling.

This oceanfront oasis pairs contemporary, coastal-chic rooms with direct beach access, and select accommodations feature private balconies and ocean views. There’s also a rooftop pool and sun deck for when you’d rather lounge closer to your room. While you won’t find a restaurant or bar on-site, complimentary breakfast is included.

This 51-key boutique retreat boasts a convenient beachfront location in the heart of Isle of Palms. Rooms have a breezy coastal look and feel, and some come with ocean views and semi-private balconies. Direct beach access makes it easy to get your toes in the sand, while a sun deck with a small wading pool offers another spot to cool off.

ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCSC) — The Isle of Palms public dock now features 14 eco-education signs describing the salt marsh, local birds and marine life in the area.

The project is a collaboration between the city, its Environmental Advisory Committee and community volunteers. The signs began appearing in May.

The signs and graphic designs cost $20,000 total, funded through a combination of community and city funding.

The displays were inspired by similar signage at state and national parks and by resources like the South Atlantic Salt Marsh Initiative. Descriptions were written by Environmental Advisory Committee member Susan Hill Smith.

Many of the photos featured on the signs came from community members.

Each sign highlights the salt marsh, local birds and marine life, including dolphins, periwinkle snails and sea turtles.

Laura Lovins, the chair of the Isle of Palms Environmental Advisory Committee, said the signs are meant to build public understanding of the marsh ecosystem.

“So much of our wildlife and the whole ecological nature of our marsh really is something that I think the majority of the general public really doesn’t understand,” Lovins said. “By providing them this information, they can become more engaged with protecting our natural environment.”

Smith said the signs work together to explain the marsh’s ecosystem.

“They all play a role together in creating this really important ecosystem that is not just important in itself for the beauty that it provides and the landscape that we share here, but also because it helps protect places like the island here by limiting flooding,” Smith said.

Environmental leaders said they see the signs as an outdoor classroom and hope visitors and residents continue using the information while on the water or fishing off the dock.

Kaitlyn Hackathorn, a freelance graphic designer and photographer with a focus on protecting the environment was connected to the project through the department of natural resources.

She said it was a no-brainer when asked why she joined the project.

“This project is also really special because it’s here at a marina which isn’t always the most accessible environment for anyone to come park at much less walk around and enjoy,” Hackathorn said. “The signs themselves make this a really welcoming environment for anyone, whether you’re coming to the restaurant or whether you just want to come out here and enjoy the marsh. It makes it accessible for anyone.”

Hackathorn said the process to decide on designs and photos came down to thinking about what the community would want to see and the questions people could have.

“We wanted to share information not just about all the different species that are here, but the intercoastal waterway, a little touch on the history of the area and about the delicate balance between us as humans that are living and visiting here and the natural environment,” she said.

An eco-walk was scheduled for 7:30 a.m. Thursday at the marina, followed by a ribbon cutting at 8:30 a.m. Members of the Island Turtle Team, Holy City Birding and Barrier Island Eco Tours will be in attendance for tours and for extra information on the wildlife.

ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCIV) — A new study is raising concerns among Isle of Palms residents that a multimillion-dollar beach renourishment project could wash away within the next three years, sparking debate over whether the work is a smart use of taxpayer dollars as the city looks at other options to address erosion.

The project involves pumping hundreds of thousands of metric yards of sand onto the beach, a process that began in late July. The goal is to build dunes intended to help protect homes on the island from storms.

Some waterfront residents say they are frustrated by the prospect that the sand could disappear again.

“It’s not a smart use of tax money. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again,” Isle of Palms resident Rom Reddy said.

Reddy said he supports the idea of maintaining a public beach but questioned whether the current approach will last.

READ MORE | Isle of Palms beach renourishment advances to Reach 2 after Reach 1 wraps early

“And I think putting sand on a beach to keep a public beach is smart, but only if you know the sand’s gonna stay on the beach,” Reddy said. “Now, if you did this once before, it all washed away. Why would you do it again?”

Reddy, who has lived on the island’s beach for years, said he has watched sand disappear in front of his home and believes a different strategy would be more effective.

“So the smart thing to do is to put a groin in here that holds the sand in place and then put sand on the beach,” he said.

The Isle of Palms study outlines multiple alternatives aimed at keeping the island’s beaches from further erosion, including pulling sand from surrounding areas or allowing the beaches to run their course.

“We gotta be smart with taxpayer money. Taxpayers want us to be smart,” Reddy said. “And I think putting sand on a beach to keep a public beach is smart, but only if you know the sand’s gonna stay on the beach.”

Isle of Palms City Council will meet Tuesday evening, when the study is scheduled to be presented and council members will be able to decide their next course of action.

The Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island are two of Charleston's most popular beaches, where countless locals and visitors alike visit year-round for pristine shores, great food and good times.

There are plenty of vacation rentals on the family-oriented Isle of Palms. Just across Breach Inlet is the quieter Sullivan's Island. Both islands offer public access to several miles of beaches, unique restaurants and a seaside charm.

Explore

Sullivan's Island is mostly residential, without resorts, public beach facilities or lifeguards. Beaches tend to be less crowded here, with nature-centric and history-focused attractions.

Around the island, Civil War-era relics and batteries can still be spotted. Each year, the island gathers to commemorate Carolina Day, or the Battle of Sullivan's Island. The June celebration includes musket and cannon firings and reenactments.

For the history buff, take a tour of Fort Moultrie on Sullivan's Island, or take a peak at the Charleston Light, a unique triangular lighthouse constructed on the island in 1962, and one of the last major lighthouses to be built in the United States.

Check out the island's maritime forest by using the Sullivan's Island Nature Trail. Explore the two-mile trail that winds through the young forest next to the beachfront.

Visit the farmers market on the Isle of Palms every third Thursday from June to October, at 24 28th Ave. from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Play pickleball or tennis on the courts at Stith Park on Sullivan's Island or on the Isle of Palms' public courts near the Recreation Center on 28th Avenue. Play a round of golf at the Wild Dunes resort on the Isle of Palms.

Tag along on one of the Isle of Palms’ Recreation Department’s monthly “Sea Stroll and Learn” talks, where local guides take visitors on early-morning beach walks while guides share information on a variety of topics, like marine life, sea turtles and birds.

The Windjammer is a popular concert venue on Front Beach at the Isle of Palms, with drinks, food and dancing. Check out their schedule for concerts held on the outdoor sunset stage or indoors, plus other events, online.

And of course, no day on either island is complete without a visit to the beach.

The Isle of Palms County Park has bathrooms, changing rooms, playgrounds and lifeguards (on duty from May 27 to mid-August). Beach chairs, boogie boards and umbrellas are available for rent. The park is a popular destination in the summertime, so plan to get there early if driving to the beach. There is a $15 entrance fee to the park during the week and a $25 fee on the weekends and holidays.

During beach season, expect heavy traffic to and from the islands and pay attention to parking rules, which tend to be strictly enforced. The parking rules are:

Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island are sites for nesting sea turtles. The turtles crawl out of the ocean and lay eggs, hundreds at a time, in the sand and dunes.

Breach Inlet separates the two islands. The inlet is a favorite spot to take a stroll, walk dogs and fish on the Isle of Palms.

Swimming in the ocean near Breach Inlet is dangerous, and illegal, due to the powerful tidal currents in the waters there. There are small, free parking lots on both sides of the bridge that connects Jasper and Palm boulevards.

Smoking and vaping are not allowed on Sullivan's Island or Isle of Palms beaches. Both islands have banned the use of single-use plastic bags, plastic straws and foam containers on the beaches.

Dogs are permitted on both Isle of Palms and Sullivan's, but before taking your canine companion to the beach, be aware that the islands have different rules.

On Sullivan's Island, annual dog licenses are required, and can be purchased at Town Hall (proof of rabies vaccination required). They cost $25 for residents and $50 for non-residents.

From May 1 to Sept. 30, dogs can be off-leash on the beach from 5-10 a.m. and on-leash from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. Dogs are not allowed on Sullivan's from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

From Oct. 1 to April 30, dogs can be off-leash from 5 a.m.-noon and on-leash all other times.

On the Isle of Palms, dogs can be off-leash on the beach from April 1 to Sept. 14 from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m., and from Sept. 15 to March 31 from 4 p.m. to 10 a.m.

All other times, dogs must be leashed, have an ID tag and be vaccinated against rabies. Dog permits aren't required but are free and can help reunite lost dogs with owners.

Eat and drink like a local

Both islands offer a variety of restaurants, from casual, cash-only cafés to upscale dining experiences.

On Sullivan's Island, Dunleavy's Pub anchors the small business strip on the island. The Irish bar offers a small but reasonably priced menu featuring classic pub fare.

Grab a burger at Poe's Tavern, named for famous author and poet Edgar Allan Poe, who spent a year on Sullivan's Island.

Fresh seafood won't be hard to find on these islands.

Try out Acme Lowcountry Kitchen, Islander 71 or The Boathouse on the Isle of Palms. The Longboard and Sullivan’s Island Fish Camp on Sullivan's Island serve up plates of fresh fish and shellfish daily.

Plenty of dinner options can be found in Home Team BBQ, Mex 1 Coastal Cantina or High Thyme Cuisine. For dessert, be sure to grab a cone at Republic Ice Cream or try the house-made gelato at Beardcat's Sweet Shop, a shop adjoining the Obstinate Daughter on Middle Street.

Check out the Co-Op for their famous Frosé. Or for a higher-end dining experience, make a reservation at eclectic The Obstinate Daughter, a local favorite.

Grab breakfast at the quaint, cash-only Sea Biscuit Café, or cap off your evening with a reservation at the upscale Coda Del Pesce for Italian cuisine.