Isle of Palms

Isle of Palms Overview

Isle of Palms is a barrier island with everything. There's lush vegetation, from age-old live oaks to the flowering crepe myrtles and oleanders. For the sports-minded, there's golf, great fishing, crabbing and shrimping, and more water sports than we can name.

Crossing over from Mt. Pleasant on the Isle of Palms Connector, you can see the majestic sweep of the Atlantic and stately ships on the horizon. To your left is the resort of Wild Dunes. To your right is the small marina at Breach Inlet and the popular Boathouse restaurant. With waterfront dining, tables at The Boathouse are taken up quickly so, if you are one of our vacation rentals guests, contact Dunes Properties of Charleston to make reservations for you.

Go through the only stop light on the Island, and you'll pass by the Isle of Palms County Park before turning onto the "front beach" area where you will find many small cafes, bistros, restaurants and shops.

Perhaps the best the Isle of Palms offers is peace and quiet. Take a long walk on the beach, find a corner table at a small cafe, or hole up on the porch of your home or villa and read the latest bestseller. For generations these islands have welcomed residents and guests alike, offering lifestyle choices that remind us why we retreat from the cities in the first place. Whether for the tenth or the first time, it's time you visited the Charleston Coast.

Isle of Palms is a compact island. Bike rentals are readily available so take a ride along the beach or along the streets and see a diversity in architecture and home styles, from villas and homes to shops, restaurants and more.

Isle of Palms History

Isle of Palms was first named Hunting Island, then Long Island, and in 1899 J.S. Lawrence purchased the island and renamed it Isle of Palms. Lawrence built bridges from the mainland, and trolley cars made regular crossings from Charleston, SC. In 1906, a resort hotel with 50 rooms was built, making the island one of the most elegant vacation spots for the summer season. In 1912, James Sottile built a spacious pavilion and even brought in a huge Ferris wheel.

Today, live oak trees dripping with Spanish moss are just coming alive again after Hurricane Hugo. Many varieties of palms sway in the gentle ocean breezes. Crepe Myrtles, oleanders, and azaleas add vivid contrasting colors to the many wildflowers growing in and along the dunes.

Isle of Palms Lifestyle
Isle of Palms is an island town, not a private gated sub-division. Only 20 minutes from downtown Charleston, the island is home to commuters, retirees and second homes. It is quiet in the winter and very busy in the summer. Today our beach is lined by magnificent beach homes, most of them built since Hugo and there are no high rises to steal the view.

Isle of Palms lifestyle is comfortable and familiar. Weekend mornings often begin with breakfast at one of our local cafes, a stroll or a bike ride on the beach, followed by a few hours in the surf, then maybe some beach music or reggae at one of the bistros along Front Beach. You don't have to leave the Isle of Palms at night to find great entertainment, with many spots offering live music.

For more information on life on Isle of Palms, download the latest edition of Island Magazine at the bottom of this page.

Isle of Palms Attractions

The Isle of Palms County Park is a nine-acre park that offers the only stretch of beach on the island patrolled by lifeguards. Other amenities include a sand volleyball court, children's playground, 20 outdoor showers, four changing booths, a large dune walkover, vending machines and restrooms.

Isle of Palms Amenities

Miles of white sand beach
The Isle of Palms Recreation Center features indoor/outdoor basketball courts, soccer fields, baseball/softball fields, children's playground, and supervised activities for children.
From kayaks and canoes, sailboats and fishing boats to luxury harbor cruises, charters and boat rentals are readily available.
Good surfing near the pier; bring your own board or check out the surf shops on Front Beach
The Yacht Harbor offers a selection of rental jet skis
Fishing, crabbing and shrimping
Biking and rollerblading are allowed on marked paths on both sides of the island and biking along the beach. Rentals available.
A variety of cafes, bistros, and casual dining on the beach along Ocean Blvd.
Golf Courses
- Two 18-hole championship courses, the Links Course and The Harbor Course, both located at the east end of the island in Wild Dunes. There are three additional courses in nearby Mt. Pleasant, just over the Connector to the mainland.
Tennis
- Two hard courts at the Recreation Center on 29th Avenue.

Isle of Palms Links of Interests

City of Isle of Palms
School Information
Isle of Palms Map
Isle of Palms Rentals - 1.800.583.8093

About Dunes Properties of Charleston

Dunes Properties of Charleston is a full-service real estate, vacation rentals and property management firm. We serve Charleston, Daniel Island, Dewees Island, Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, James Island, Kiawah Island, Mount Pleasant, Seabrook Island, Sullivan's Island, Wild Dunes and other areas surrounding Charleston, SC.

Browse our real estate listings.

Our Folly Beach vacation rental selection includes oceanfront, ocean view or scenic homes or villas.

Come stay with Dunes Properties of Charleston — for a weekend or for a lifetime. For more information, use this form or all 800.476.8444.

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