The corner bars at the traffic lights center of town are a reminder that the beach is close by. So if you really want to know about it, Sullivan's Island, which is a wealthy little beach spot right still within Charleston. The beach itself is alright all that ocean water yet no waves crash the shore, theyres pleanty sand to spread a towel and plop down fir an afternoon The island is completely overrun with ridiculously rich people living in giant beach houses that cost millions of dollars, i was in one. A friend was havingbit completely wired for dound, remote lighting, security cameras, etcetera. It depresses the hell out of me, honestly, seeing all those phony millionaires strutting around like they own the ocean. ​Right on Middle Street, there's this place called Poe's Tavern, named after Edgar Allan Poe. He was here doing something long before he wrote all those awesome creepy poems. They have these giant burgers named after his stories like "The Pit & Pendulum" or "The Gold-Bug", I get "Tell Tale Heart". The burgers are actually pretty great, thick and juicy with pimento cheese and bacon, even if the whole Poe themed artwork on every wall is not even a little phony. ​Want to tip a few pints? Will then head on over to Dunleavy's Pub. It's a cash only Irish dive bar run by a bunch of diehard Boston Red Sox fans if memory serves me correctly which completely killed me because im a Yankee fan and when you walk inside and there are Red Sox pennants and neon signs plastered all over a beach bar in South Carolina. But they serve ice cold beers in pitchers, and honest pints andb nobody gives a damn if you're still covered in sand from the beach in a Yankees hat. If you're stuck on Sullivans Island and need a solid burger and a cold beer without taking off your sandals or flip flops, those two dpits arevworth a trip even if the sight of all those wealthy beach houses makes you want to throw up. read more

Was NOT expecting this!! Went for a drive, thinking we were gonna head to the pier, then I saw a sign for Sullivan's beach. We detoured, and so glad we did!! 20 minutes from our hotel, it was a PERFECT DAY to hang out on the beach! Parking is a challenge because it's off of a residential neighborhood, and you have to walk a bit, but it's worth it! I wish it wasn't our last day on the island because I wanted to return to wade in that ocean water!! We SHALL RETURN! read more

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We came to Sullivan's Island for a day trip while vacationing in Charleston! Unfortunately, the weather was quite cold and windy so not the best for a beach day. But we still had a lot of fun walking around the island and learning about the Civil War at Fort Moultrie. There's a cute library that we spent some time at and walking around the downtown, which has lots of shops and food/drink options, was great too. 10/10 would recommend! read more

Sullivan's Island - Beach! - Beaches Near Me - Sullivan's Island, South Carolina

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Times they are a changing... And, this is true even for the little island I grew up on. I have such fond memories of summers on Sullivan's and school wasn't so bad either... Especially when you attend right on the beach! Makes for lovely field trips. You definitely still want to avoid trying to get on the island around the hour as there is still a swing bridge that opens to allow large sailed vessels passage. Also, the beach traffic was strong on this particular Saturday. However, the charm remains and still has the amazing beach views and the wonderful smells that reminds me of my childhood. read more

Sullivan's Island - Beaches Near Me - Sullivan's Island, South Carolina

Arguably better than Isle of Palms... but let's get into that! This beach is not for the surfers. It's definitely for the walkers and I had to do my hot girl walk along the beach today. This beach isn't visually pleasing in my opinion. The walkways to the beach are though. This beach FEELS GOOD. It makes you remember why you show up at work... to get awesome moments like this. It felt like heaven to get into the warm, calm water. I saw dogs playing fetch and even taking it upon themselves to swim! Would love to take my niece dog here some day. read more

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Gorgeous day for the beach! Opt for the far east end or west near Fort Moultrie. Parking can be tough. Arriving early is key to finding parking! Roads start packing in by noon. If you enjoy treasure hunts, arrive early about 7AM and you can find horseshoe crabs, sand dollars, and lots of shells. Definitely check out some of the great restaurants like Obstinate Daughter (Fancy) or Home Team (casual) or cool off with some frozen and smoothies at the Coop. read more

Sullivan's Island - Relaxing day - Beaches Near Me - Sullivan's Island, South Carolina

4.5 stars Nice beach with easy access and soft sand to walk on. There was some jellyfish that had washed up on the beach that day. But, there's no swimming allowed at this beach. Not as crowded as Folly. 2024 #7 read more

Sullivan's Island - Beaches Near Me - Sullivan's Island, South Carolina

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This is an amazing beach. Very quiet and relaxed. I recommend this beach for families and people looking to have a nice leisurely day. There are also a few nice shops as you enter Sullivan's island and you have the fort to walk around. One thing to consider before going, if you are looking to surf or want waves, I would recommend headed to Folly Beach instead and possibly Isle of Palm. Sullivan's island is pretty calm. read more

My go-to beach for walks, jogs, and moments of reset. There's no bathrooms and the parking is free as long as your tires are off the pavement and mindful of where you park. There's Fort Moultrie nearby that is free to walk through as well. The beach itself is pretty flat / hard sand with some softness to it. During the summer the water can get kelp-heavy or seaweed to which brings some stings and the jellyfish are a-plenty. Refer to the website for leash hours on dogs, it varies for the time of the year plus all dogs must have a valid Sullivan's Island permit (call Town Hall number) for both residents and visitors. read more

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Nice beach in Charleston. Soft sand and clean. But if there is high tide the water level almost cover the whole beach. Parking is very limited read more

Sullivan's Island - Beaches Near Me - Sullivan's Island, South Carolina

We enjoyed a quiet day at Sullivan's Island on 2 April 2025. Two highlights: (1) The Beach. We were told to go to Station 18 1/2 near the lighthouse. Finding parking was tricky, but we lucked out and found a space a block from the beach on a side road. Caution: Do not park with any part of your tires on the pavement; so not take any alcohol. There is a $1,040 fine. (2) The Charleston Tea Garden. This is the only tea plantation operating in the USA. We took the trolly ride through the plantation. Andy, our driver/ guide, was really good at what she did. Her knowledge and sense of humor made for a fun/tour. We learned much about the tea industry, and appreciated that she drove carefully over the semi-rough plantation road. We also ate there. Parking was tricky, and we ended up circling the block once before lucking out. We ate lunch at Poe's Tavern. It was crowded, but we got seated quickly on the porch. The food was good. We also took a drive to Fort Moultrie, just a few miles south. But using our America the Beautiful senior pass, we saved $24 ($12 each for adults). We were fortunate to hook up with a guide who was most entertaining and fill of knowledge about the fort. All in all, I recommend taking time to spend at least a half day here. It was most enjoyable. read more

Sullivan's Island has such a nice public beach! It's in a residential neighborhood with streetside parking [*do* keep all wheels of your vehicle on the road, or you'll get a ticket]. We would arrive before sunrise and parking was never too difficult to find at that time of day. It's always clean with plenty of available trash cans and quiet, actually serene! It is very family oriented with never any "partiers" when I was there. The walk to the beach itself can be fairly long, mostly along a wooden boardwalk, so all your beach needs are better "toted" with wheels for your waters and straps for your chairs. Fun Fact: Edgar Allan Poe was stationed at Ft. Moultrie from November 1827 to December 1828 and used Sullivan's Island as the setting for his famous short story, "The Gold Bug." This beach is not great, in general, for finding seashells. However, once, we walked out to the sandbar and absolutely filled our pockets with sand dollars! I was thrilled! I still have them! read more

This is a great location away from the hustle and bustle of Charleston where history lives, the beaches are quiet and whisper stories and there is great food and fun to be had! read more

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I was told by friends when planning out a Charleston trip that Sullivan's Island was a must for beautiful beaches, stunning homes and wonderful restaurants. So on a two day stay our family went to Sullivan's both days. We took in a sunset, ate dinner both days and drove around the island on slow car house drive bys. Dinners were enjoyed at Obstinate Daughter and Mex 1 Coastal Cantina that were both great! The homes are eclectic beach homes with some older and many huge and newer. Homeowners take a lot of pride in their homes and landscape. The most interesting was a house that looked like an igloo. It was undergoing renovation and had waterfront views. I had to snap a pic. I look forward to a return visit. read more

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I took a trip by myself from California to Charleston. I loved Sullivan's Island. Beautiful beach, lighthouse, lots of restaurants/ bars and shops. It is a really cute area! read more

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Sullivan's Island is playground of the wealthy! So the arrogant and rude is certainly there! Like locals speeding and passing dangerously! But , even with this , I can still enjoy the peace this place can bring! The public beach access is wonderful, but can fill up fast ! There is strictly no swimming or wading! It's a perfect place to watch ships go back and forth! The restaurants are packed! It's a great place for history! ! They also have a light house there! examen des cols bleus:x read more

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We are a Folky Beach family because there are more parking spaces and surf spot friendly but Sullivan to be honest has the better beach m, better sand , dog can be off leash during off season BUT they have to have a permit. Strict parking rules on a four wheels have to be off the road when park. We don't go during the summer time but we usually do early spring late fall to avoid the crowd. Had tons of fun was lying down it was great weather first two weeks this Nov. read more

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Decided to stop at a beach while in South Carolina. There are huge mansions along the water. The sand was so fine and beautiful along with the water. We strolled along the beach and enjoyed the views. There is also Poes tavern. Where it s an Edgar Allen Poe themed bar read more

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Don't come here! It's horrible! Tourists go away! The sand is soft and the water is warm and there's good restaurants and you would hate it.

Beautiful / Clean beach! No litter on the sand and the water wasn't full of seaweed! Extremely dog friendly. Observed multiple families/individuals bring dogs that were not on a leash. If you don't like dogs - I do not recommend this area. I had dogs walk up to me and in-between my mom and I while resting on our towels. This wasn't an issue for me but can see it being one for others. read more

I love Sullivan's Island beach. This is one of most natural beaches in the Charleston area; that spans from Breach Inlet past Fort Moultrie. While parking is free on Sullivan's Island you need to get here really early during the summer and warmer months to get a parking space; I usually tend to park near the fort. Also there is a lot behind the Ft. Moultrie park building that has plenty of space. I find it a nice place to enjoy an early morning cup of coffee while I watch the sun rise, a nice place to throw in a line to haul in that big fish, a great beach to walk and jog for exercise, and just a fun place to explore the history that fills the island. Sullivan's Island offers something for everyone! read more

This area seemed a bit quieter than Folly Beach (the other side of Charleston's ocean-facing island suburbs), but it was relatively easy to get to and park at. The section of beach facing towards the estuary and Fort Sumter was covered with signs saying not to even wade in to the water due to dangerous currents, and people were abiding by them, so I imagine the signs have a point. Some interesting sea life washed up on the beach, but mostly it was just a spot where people were chilling and watching the waves, which is not a bad thing at all. read more

Sullivan's Island - Beaches Near Me - Sullivan's Island, South Carolina

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Touristy beaches are great. You can get a rum punch any time of day, you can rent chairs and an umbrella, you can walk to a restaurant nearby for a meal. They're nice, and I truly love them. But sometimes you have to venture off the beaten path. Sometimes you want the equivalent of camping, but on a beach. The kind of beach where you have to bring any and everything you might need or want (including your dogs). This is such a beach. The walk from parking to the sand is relaxing in and of itself. You pass through a canopy of vines, you see a lighthouse nearby, and you hear only the sound of waves from the ocean. If no one else were on it (and few were when I went here), you might wonder if it was undiscovered. I also appreciated the shallow waves. They may not be ideal for body boarding, but it is perfect for setting your chair close enough to keep your feet in the water. Visit the other area beaches, but be sure to make time for this one. It is the perfect capstone to a visit in the area. read more

* * FIRST AND LAST TRIP TO SULLIVAN's Island * * I had my first and last trip to Sullivan's Island yesterday (7-22-20). We had done our homework ahead of time (scoping out parking, etc). What I clearly missed in my research was the fact that you CANNOT BRING: beach chairs, umbrellas or even coolers on the beach. Was there for about 20 minutes when a policeman on a scooter told us all of these items were not allowed. I asked a simple question of "why?" And received a very snotty response of "I don't know". I find it odd that a local cop has no idea on why this ordinance went into effect? I can certainly partially appreciate that locals do not want their beautiful beach overrun with tourists, HOWEVER, the beach here is huge and plenty of room for social distancing etc. I would imagine most people bring essential beach necessities like chairs, umbrellas and coolers, so this really baffles me !! In my opinion, this affluent town's politicians have implemented some bogus "rules" that will essentially eliminate any tourism. It's unfortunate for them. So, we took ourselves elsewhere (3 minutes down the road to Isle of Palm) - and were very pleased. I was excited and eager to spend a nice beach day at Sullivan's Island and eat at Poe's and Dunleaveys Pub to celebrate being cancer free - however, that plan was squashed within a half hour of arrival. I honesty was made to feel like I was a lower class scum dirtying up their pristine beach. I am a hard working middle class woman who wanted to enjoy a summer day and relax in an uncrowded location... not what happened. I traveled over 2 hours to get there as well. There is ONE sign as you walk on to the beach... we took a picture and it does not mention anything regarding no chairs, coolers or umbrellas ... unreal. I am more than happy to hear the towns rebuttal on my review and welcome a formidable explanation on why these key / essential beach items are not allowed. One star for Sullivan's Island :( read more

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HUGE disappointment compared to Folly beach and Isle of Palm. They don't allow chairs on the beach! No umbrellas, no coers, no alcohol The sign that providesthis information is on aboard and is about an 8x10 block. Certainly would not have seen it unless you stopped to read it. The no chairs on beach was a sigh at the beach that we overlooked because we were too busy looking out at the ocean. Wwbt for a walk. When we returned we were greeted with an officer who wanted to know about the chairs and the alcohol. The person with me had to go back to the car and bring back her license only to get fined $260 for the can of Arnold Palmer. The fee could have been upto$1040! How ridiculous especially when there were many others who had alcohol on the beach. Boone stopped them. We immediately left because they ruined the fun we were having . Never again will we gotoSullivanIsland. Iguesstgat was what they are after (per the officer). What ever happened toawarning first read more

Our favorite local beach. We love to walk here then go enjoy some Dey dinner At Poes, Mex1, Obstinate Daughter, or Home Team BBQ. Never crowded like Folly and IOP can get. read more

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This beach is 100% worth it because it is not meant for tourists! It is surrounded by private properties and doesn't have a parking lot, so get there early for street parking. It also doesn't have an official beach entrance, so just look for the "Sullivan Beach" sign, and if it appears like you're walking between private properties, don't doubt yourself! You are indeed in the right place! Pro-Tip: pack water and snacks because there are no stands located anywhere on the beach. I enjoyed that there were very few tourists and plenty of space to swim, picnic and tan without feeling claustrophobic like I do in Chicago. It made for such a relaxing morning/afternoon! Pro-Tip: once you're done soaking in the sun, visit Fort Moultrie, which is just down the road! read more

Sullivan's Island - Beaches Near Me - Sullivan's Island, South Carolina

Spent about 2 hours at the beach taking in the start of what will be a beautiful summer. The views are beautiful, the water is clean and no sign of pesky birds (when I was there). Parking is a pain of course lucked out and found a FREE lot about a 4-6 min walk away from the beach! The boardwalk and the well manicured lawns leading up to the beach was a nice way to enter. Bring all the essentials, beach chairs, blankets and such as there is no rentals of any kind. Overall, great day! read more

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I was told by a friend to come here instead of Folly's beach, and what a great suggestion. The problem with Folly's beach is well, it's just so busy with tourists. Sure, there's a lot more touristy stuff you can do, but if you're not looking for that Sullivan's Island is where you need to go. Just because the parking issue. The parking here is so easy, as there's plentiful of places and you can basically walk everywhere. Just park and be on your way to the beach or wherever you want to go. The restaurants along the main road are plentiful and well, according to my friend, better. So, if you're going to a beach that's quiet with not a ton of people, this is the beach for you. One bad thing is that there aren't any shower sprays that you can wash the sand off your feet, but that's a very small criticism considering that it's not super crowded. read more

Sullivan's Island - Beaches Near Me - Sullivan's Island, South Carolina

Great beach to hangout at on vacation in Charleston! My husband and I were in Charleston for a weekend and decided to do Folly Beach the first day. Mistake. It was absolutely packed and the closer to the pier you got the worst it was. Sullivan's Island was a short drive (20 minutes) away and everything we were looking for. The beach was wide with plenty of space to layout or toss a frisbee. Best part? Very little people and plenty of parking in the area! Highly recommend checking Sullivan's Island if you're in the Charleston area. read more

I went to three of the various beaches in South Carolina. This one was not on top of my list, but it was gorgeous! I spent a couple hours just taking pictures and taking it all in. I went to the most phenomenal restaurant (see review of poems tavern) a few blocks from this beach. That's actually the only reason I came to this beach. The sand was nice, there was a great old lighthouse, and the people we're cordial. read more

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If I'm going to the beach, I go to Sullivan's. I get there early and park at station 18.5 by the light house, or down by some residential houses at station 22 or 23. Get my chair and my beach bag out of the trunk and make the walk over to the beach. I love this beach the best bc it's mainly locals. IOP right up the road and Folly Beach on the other side of town have a couple restaurants and paid parking spots. Nothing that I need as I bring what I need in my bag and stay long enough to get some sun and go. read more

We went to the beach in the middle of February it was definitely a bit windy but it was cool seeing the swirly sand fly around to create mesmerizing videos for time-lapse. The town has a nice vibe to it. Very homely and overall nice people. read more

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I have always loved the beach. Growing up in Queens (NY) there was Rockaway (could get there by taking two buses), then, Jones (when we got our driver's licenses) and, after moving to Maryland, I enjoyed frequent summer vacays and many, many long weekends at Rehoboth (DE) and Ocean City (Eastern Shore of MD). Looking back, it never seemed to bother me that it took it us hours in bumper to bumper traffic just to get to my beloved Atlantic Ocean. That's the way it was, it was our way of life. Well, that's all changed ... I'm lazy and spoiled. While certainly it would be nice if I lived on Sullivan's Island, I don't ... but, in 3 miles and 7 minutes (if I make the light at Ben Sawyer and Rifle Range) I'm just steps from the water. It's no secret that the parking situation is rather dicey. As a small residential community, there's no public parking and there's many restrictions; however, I go early so I rarely have a problem finding a great spot. At that point, I'm just steps from the access ramp that goes right down to the sand. Once my parking spot is secured, I often walk up to Middle Street to get a lite bite from Cafe Medley. Everything there is delicious, but it's usually just coffee and a bagel or a yummy chocolate chip cookie for me. Sometimes, I bring my Teddy, as he loves to play in the water and meet new doggie friends. (All dogs visiting the Island must have a permit, should be wearing the Town issued collar and must be off the beach by 10:00 AM.) Sometimes, I walk, either to get in some exercise, or look for shells ... but, mostly, I just chill, take a dip in the water and apply sunscreen. On a rare occasion, it gets somewhat crowded, but it's always tame. If's your looking for activity, this is not the beach for you. If you're thinking about spending a day on this beach keep in mind that as a 'private' beach (remember, there's no public parking), there are no lifeguards and there are no porto-potties, bathroom or shower facilities. read more

This beach is absolutely beautiful. Very minimal people and the ones that were there were just fishing. Where we went by the fort, There was a large sign that said there is no swimming due to dangerous rip tides but it was great to walk along the beach. We saw a large crab, a horseshoe crab, a large hermit crab and large clusters of tiny crabs by the rocks. I've seen a lot of people complaining in reviews about being fined for things but if that's how they keep this beach from having their dog crap all over it, then I think it's great! If people were more responsible there would be less fines I'm sure? I'd definitely stop back by the next time I'm in the area. read more

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Sullivan's is my favorite beach. I tend to go in the off season more so I don't have a lot of issues with parking. I like to park by the light house or in the free spaces near Fort Moultrie (by the cannons). I highly recommend going for sunrise. It's so pretty. If you are wanting to bring your dog here, make sure it is registered. Check the website for Sullivan's to get the information. read more

If you want to sit on a beach and not see anything touristy, this is the beach for you. Parking is certainly possible, but expect a bit of a walk to the beach. I would recommend bringing a chair, if you try to lay on a towel you will coated in sand. It appeared that bringing your own food/drinks/speakers/etc. was totally okay! read more

Sullivan's Island - Beaches Near Me - Sullivan's Island, South Carolina

Very beauty-Full beach much more quieter than Folly! Very natural and if your looking for a romantic Stroll with your partner, this is the place. read more

Sullivan's Island - Sullivan's Island is such a beautiful quieter beach - Beaches Near Me - Sullivan's Island, South Carolina

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We came in November so it was pretty cold, but we walked the beach and collected some shells. it really is a beautiful, somewhat secluded beach that I bet is even nicer in the summer. read more

Sullivan's Island - Beaches Near Me - Sullivan's Island, South Carolina

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Avoid if you have a dog. $50, a rabies certificate, and a trip to town hall when it's open (but without your dog) so you can walk on the beach or a sidewalk with your dog (or face huge fines) is obviously just a way to scam tourists. Of course, the tourist permit for dogs is far more than the local permit. You know lots of dog owners visit without realizing the town plays this game and they're stuck paying this bizarre fee. I'm not aware of any other town that scams tourists so blatantly. read more