Sullivan's Island Beach

Just minutes from charming Charleston and nestled at the mouth of the Charleston Harbour, Sullivan’s Island is an inviting mix of local restaurants and shops, wide-open beaches and watersports, plus a whole load of history and folklore.

At a relatively modest 3.3 miles, the area isn’t huge, but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in beauty and charm. Fort Moultrie is just a 30-minute walk from here so you may want to go soak up some revolutionary war history while visiting this picturesque town. 

The island likes to keep things natural and low-key. There are no public restrooms, and you’ll need to take care when swimming because there are no lifeguards on the beach. Strong currents are particularly well-known around here - so much so, that some parts of the beach are closed to swimmers.

There are very few car parks nearby and they fill up pretty quickly, so you’ll need to set off early to grab a space. There’s plenty of free street parking in the town though, which is just a couple of minutes’ walk away.

On the activities front, the area’s a favourite with watersports fans - kiteboarding and paddleboarding are particularly popular. Kiteboarders especially flock to this area, and on a windy day, don’t be surprised to find hundreds of them flying through the air - it makes for a pretty cool view.

Some points of interest to check out while you’re here include, Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church for its beautiful features, The Edgar Allen Poe Library - A Must See if you’re a Poe fan, and the Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse. For those who have an interest in maritime history, this is the last major lighthouse built in the US.