Isle Of Palms

Enticing coastal scenery, like miles of white-sand beaches, the marshes of the Intracoastal Waterway, waterfront parks, golf courses and music venues, make up the essence of Isle of Palms' identity. The slender island, known locally as IOP, is just 7 miles long, and 6 miles of that is made up of beaches. Salty sea breezes welcome locals and tourists who venture to the island for relaxation or a vibrant vacation destination. “The town of Isle of Palms is quaint and special,” says Jen O’Brien, a Realtor with Dunes Properties of Charleston, who has sold more than a dozen homes in Isle of Palms. “It’s the ideal small beach town. Everything is walkable, or you can golf cart around, and when you do what the big city stuff, you can hop in the car and easily get to downtown Charleston.” The beach is the dominant player here. From Palm Boulevard, people can get their toes in the sand after crossing over boardwalks. The island’s small downtown area has paid parking close to the beach, and during the off-season, parking is free. While relaxing on the beach, locals may spot people kayaking, paddleboarding or taking a fishing charter out on the water. Situated in the middle of the coastline is the Isle of Palms County Park, where kids can take a break from the sandy shores and run around the small playground. There are also outdoor showers for people to wash off after coming in from the waves. Try to avoid the sand while playing on one of the two golf courses at Wild Dunes Resort. The Links course affords golfers waterfront views, while the fairways of the Harbor Course sit along the marshes. Further inland, the Isle of Palms Recreation Center features a playground, courts for tennis, basketball and pickleball, and a bark park where dogs can roam off-leash. Once a modest community of midcentury raised ranch homes, some of which remain on palm tree-lined streets a few blocks from the beach, development on the island expanded to include multimillion-dollar Coastal-style homes and modern waterfront mansions. Cottages from the 1940s are a reminder of what the island once was, with many owned by islanders who've lived their whole lives here. Price points for houses typically start around $750,000, but most exceed the $1 million mark. Houses with five to six bedrooms, deepwater dock access or expansive acreage can reach $3.5 to $6 million. “You can also live in the Wild Dunes resort, and even if you don’t, you can join the club there,” O’Brien says. The condos and townhouses are priced from $109,000 to $2.4 million. Residents can access the resort amenities, including pools, tennis and pickleball courts, spas and restaurants. Live music lovers will want to keep an eye on the schedule at The Windjammer, an Isle of Palms staple since 1972. Artists like Hootie & The Blowfish and the Zac Brown Band have taken the stage of this small beach club. Crowds can take in waterfront views while the bands perform. The spot is also known for its sand volleyball court, which is open to the public and hosts tournaments throughout the summer. Locals stop by The Isle of Palms Farmers Market from June through October to shop for fresh produce and handmade goods while listening to live music. The coastal culture extends to the local eateries and shops along the area’s main drag, Palm Boulevard. The roadway gets much busier during peak season, but it’s easy to navigate by golf cart or bike. Next door to a Harris Teeter are two restaurants recommended by O’Brien -- Long Island Café and IOP Raw Bar. She says the seafood spots, along with Coda del Pesce, are popular among locals. Coda del Pesce is a more upscale option, beloved for its Italian dishes and outdoor patio with beach views. Locals also enjoy stopping by The Dinghy, a no-frills dive bar where people meet for fish and chips, wings and drinks while local bands perform. Students living on the Isle of Palms commute off-island to attend Sullivan’s Island Elementary, Moultrie Middle and Wando High schools. Each is highly rated, earning an A overall from Niche. The elementary school also offers a partial magnet program in coastal environmental studies, allowing students to learn more about their surroundings through two wet labs and Sullivan’s Island Beach, which serves as the school’s backyard. Commuting to and from Mount Pleasant is made easy by traveling along State Route 703 or crossing the Isle of Palms Connector Bridge. Each route puts locals within 10 miles of the large coastal town's parks, shopping and dining. People also take the Isle of Palms Connector to access medical care at East Cooper Medical Center, less than 8 miles away. Locals can take Interstate 526 for nearly 22 miles to reach Charleston International Airport.