Isle of Palms - 29451
City of Isle of Palms ... 'IOP'
The Isle of Palms is located in Charleston County across the Intracoastal Waterway from Mount Pleasant and just above Sullivan's Island. The Sewee Indians were the original inhabitants. In the early years of our country, the island was also used by English settlers, pirates, and warring armies but, because it was accessible only by boat, there were no full-time residents until the late 19th century.
Until the late 1920s, the main way people got to the Isle of Palms was to take a ferry from Charleston to Mount Pleasant, then ride a trolley to Sullivan's Island which, when the tide was right, would cross the Breach Inlet onto the Isle of Palms. Of course, lucky people had their own boats and could go that way too!
The trolley trestle from Sullivan's Island was converted to a real road in 1926, and the Grace Memorial Bridge between Charleston and Mount Pleasant was completed in 1929. Finally, the Ben Sawyer Bridge between Mount Pleasant and Sullivan's Island was opened in 1946. At that point, with access no longer an issue, the stage was set for development.
And development came – it came in the way of a year-round population, houses (simple and grand), hotels, and resorts. But after the devastation of Hurricane Hugo in 1989, residents became fiercely protective of the unique fragility of their home.
In 1990-1993, especially necessary after Hurricane Hugo and the need to evacuate the island, The Isle of Palms Connector Bridge was built. It crosses over the Intracoastal Waterway and connects the town of Mount Pleasant with the Isle of Palms. The bridge is part of, and comprises most of the length of, South Carolina Highway 517, which is commonly known as the "Isle of Palms Connector", and bears the official name of "Clyde Moultrie Dangerfield Highway". It connects US 17 in Mount Pleasant, SC with South Carolina Highway 703 on the Isle of Palms. The connector is the site of the October annual "Isle of Palms Connector Run and Walk for the Child," a combined 10k run and 5k run/walk.
The Isle of Palms beach is a family beach with bicycle paths which wind throughout the island. Volunteer "Turtle Teams" enforce "lights out" when the loggerhead turtles hatch their babies, so the little ones will find their way safely into the ocean.
Wild Dunes, developed in 1972, is an oceanfront resort on Isle of Palms. It is 1,600 acres on the north end of the island and has controlled-access gates.
Surf? Tune in to watch the surf roll in near the pier. Isle of Palms Pier Surf Cam
Places to dine? Check out the following fun places and realize all the great choices:
- Acme Cantina
- Banana Cabana
- Boathouse at Breach Inlet
- Coconut Joe's Beach Grill
- Coda Del Pesce
- Grand Pavilion Cafe & Bar
- The Lettered Olive
- Morgan Creek Grill
- The Sea Island Grill & Lounge
- Windjammer
