Isle of Palms Beach is one of the most scenic places on the Atlantic Coast of South Carolina. It is perfect for both adventure and leisure and provides easy route to the rich history of nearby Charleston. The dispersed salt marches create diverse eco-systems attracting a range of wildlife, a major aspect to the natural island feel. Several inlets, bays, and rivers, including Gray Bay, Hamlin Sound, and Copahee Sound, surround the backside of the beaches in Isle of Palms.
Excellent sailing conditions and a local marina support a lively boating culture and active visitors who love windsurfing and parasailing. The marina rents out boats ideal for fishing in the ocean, local creeks, and rivers. They are not permitted anywhere near swimming beaches on Isle of Palms, and neither are jet skis which means the beaches on Isle of Palms remain void of unnatural sounds.
Isle of Palms marina is another ideal way to access many watersports and water activities. The marina offers 50 well-equipped boat slips. There are well-lit, sturdy floating docks, free Wi-Fi, showers, and a double-wide ramp for boat owners. The marina is within easy distance of beaches on Isle of Palms as well as oceanfront lodging, island shopping, dining, and many golf courses. Charleston is also only a short drive away, greatly opening up tourist opportunities.
Front Beach
The beaches of Isle of Palms include popular Front Beach, the main island beach resting in front of long row of vacation homes and soft, grassy dunes. The water is often very shallow far beyond the edge so plenty of people take their beach chairs far out to sit and relax. For generations, the beach has been home to the most popular island activities including crabbing, fishing, swimming, sunbathing, and boogie boarding. It begins 10th Avenue and runs to 14th Avenue on Ocean Boulevard.
If driving in from another part of the island to the main Isle of Palms beach, note there is parking available within two lots on Pavilion Drive. Both are either pay-per-use or available with a paid parking permit. Along Ocean Boulevard there are metered parking spots close to the beach, which requires payment and displaying your ticket on the dashboard. In the summer, between the June and September, these spots are virtually impossible to get unless heading out quite early.
Isle of Palms County Park
The second Isle of Palms beach is the inside the island’s county park. It is a beautiful park with boardwalks leading to the water and a huge beach. The park was developed to please the demand for better, easier beach access. It is open to local residents and visitors alike and offers a variety of amenities including restrooms, change rooms, and showers. There are snack vendors, volleyball courts, and a playground. There are also beach umbrellas ands chairs for rent seasonally.
Dewees Island
To the east is Dewees Island, filled with maritime forests, white-sand beaches, dunes, accessible by ferry from Isle of Palms, and adding even more beach square footage to enjoy. There is a ferry over, but visitors must be guests of residents or prospective owners so access is quite limited. More than 1200 acres of lush, island landscape surround Huyler House, a retreat created for property owners who don’t want to develop land for the sake of preserving it. It is built as a homey property boasting tennis courts, pools, and several private quarters with access to one of the finest and most secluded beaches in the area.
