The Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island are both popular East Cooper barrier islands that locals and visitors flock to for a sunny getaway. Both islands offer beautiful beaches, unique restaurants and vacation rentals, as well as some of the most expensive real estate in the Charleston area. Sullivan's was once the only island with a direct connection to mainland Mount Pleasant.
The streets leading to the beach are called "stations," a remnant of the trolley that once ran to the island from Mount Pleasant. Sullivan's is mostly residential, without resorts, public beach facilities or lifeguards. Beaches tend to be less crowded and quieter.
Isle of Palms is the closest beach for many Mount Pleasant residents. There are many vacation rentals on the island, a county park and public golf courses at the Wild Dunes resort. Visitors walk along the beach on Isle of Palms.
Isle of Palms and Sullivan's are also sites for nesting sea turtles. The turtles crawl out of the ocean and lay their eggs —sometimes hundreds at a time — in the sand. Breach Inlet separates the two islands.
The inlet is a favorite spot to take a stroll, walk dogs and fish on the Isle of Palms. Swimming in the ocean near Breach Inlet is strongly discouraged due to the powerful tidal currents in the waters there. There are small, free parking lots on both sides of the bridge that connects Jasper and Palm boulevards.
Smoking and vaping are not allowed on Sullivan's or Isle of Palms beaches. Both islands have banned.