Escape the Hustle and Bustle with This Low-Key Island Getaway

Text by Cindy Cooper

A barrier island near Charleston, South Carolina, Isle of Palms has six miles of beaches and lies a short distance from the mainland. Thought to be originally inhabited by the indigenous Sewee Indians, the area’s origins date back at least 25,000 years. With a varied history, including pirates who buried their treasure, Civil War battles, and late-19th-century locals who wanted a respite from the busyness of Charleston, the island holds many tales of adventure.

In the 1970s, it was first developed with The Isle of Palms Beach and Racquet Club, which was later renamed Wild Dunes Resort, and is as picturesque as its setting. Comfort with signature service make this beautiful destination the perfect place to visit, relax, and explore. The island resort leaves no lodging option out of reach with many choices, from hotels and condominiums to rental homes and cottages that provide plenty of space to host guests or large family gatherings.

Outdoor activities, including boating, fishing, paddleboarding, and sightseeing, are just a few of the ways you can soak up the beauty of this beach town. As shore protection has become a vital standard, local volunteers monitor loggerhead sea turtle nests and hatchlings on the beaches each year. Spotting baby turtles is quite common, as they dash from their nests to the ocean, and adults are as amused as children if they can catch the sight.

Osprey and pelicans are frequently seen soaring and diving while beachcombers search for seashells. A popular pastime, discovering the island’s beautiful shells, from angel wings to oyster shells, is a joy for the collector. And the ecosystem that oysters create is vital to the health of the ocean and provides plenty of interest for tourism on the island.