A Day on Isle of Palms

I grew up vacationing on Isle of Palms with my family. My parents’ dream of owning a vacation home in Wild Dunes became a reality in 2011. Since then, we’ve spent many days exploring the island. IOP, as we locals call it, offers great beaches, a marina, and dining. Wild Dunes is a resort community on the north end of the island with golf, tennis, bike trails, pools and restaurants. There is a lot to pack into a day! 

Morning

One thing I love about IOP is the ability have dogs off-leash in the mornings before 9am. I take our dog Bubba to Breech Inlet around sunrise to get his zoomies out. Breech has its own parking area making it easy to come and go. After a rinse, grab a coffee of Refuge next to Harris Teeter then head to breakfast at Sea Biscuit Cafe for the best biscuits in Charleston. 

Jump on a bike and ride through the beautiful bike trails in Wild Dunes. If you’re the golfing type, Wild Dunes has two public golf courses. I prefer the Links Course for the views over the Harbor Course, which is extremely narrow and challenging. Or you can grab a tennis or pickleball racket and hit the courts. But once the sun is high, it’s time to hit the beach. 

Afternoon

There are many ways to access the beach on Isle of Palms.  There is public parking and access all along Palm Blvd. I recommend heading north to escape the crowds. Be sure to stop at the Co-Op on your way to stock up on Frose for the afternoon! If you are staying in Wild Dunes, check out the pool at the new Sweetgrass Hotel which also has beach access. This is the perfect place to grab lunch and a cocktail at the poolside restaurant, Laughing Gull. 

If you would rather be on the boat, take advantage of the Isle of Palms marina launch. The marina is close to some of our favorite destinations on the water for fishing and hanging on the beach: Hamlin Sound, Capers Inlet, Prices Inlet, and Bull Island. 

Evening

Islander 71 is the perfect spot to grab dinner, a drink, and the sunset, and you can arrive by boat. If you’re heading out to eat for the evening, try some other IOP staples: Long Island Cafe, Coda Del Pesce, and Acme. Everything is casual enough for resort wear. The best nights end with a concert at The Windjammer or live music at The Dinghy.

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