Sullivan&#x27;s Island Beach

"Located at the mouth of the Charleston Harbor, the beaches on this island are ones that have been loved for generations, as is evidenced by some of the gingerbread cottages in the historic part of town. But what makes these beaches special, compared to Charleston's other beaches, is their wide expanse of sand, peaceful waves (because of sandbars), and natural paths through vegetation that not only make you feel as if you're stepping back in time, but protect the shoreline during storms and build a sense of anticipation for that first glimpse of blue water." - Allston McCrady

Sullivan's Island Beach – Beach Review | Condé Nast Traveler

"Let’s start big picture. What’s the vibe here? Located at the mouth of the Charleston Harbor, the beaches on this island are ones that have been loved for generations, as is evidenced by some of the gingerbread cottages in the historic part of town. But what makes these beaches special is their wide expanse of sand, peaceful waves (because of sandbars), and natural paths through vegetation that not only make you feel as if you're stepping back in time, but protect the shoreline during storms and build a sense of anticipation for that first glimpse of blue water. Any standout features or must-dos? The sand itself is the big draw here. A haven for families who love the mostly gentle waves, the beach is also popular with kiteboarders, who provide a show for free. If you prefer posing for photos over chilling out on the sand and surf, the Sullivan's Island Lighthouse is a unique spot near Station 18. The lighthouse itself is fenced off and not open to the public but visitors are welcome to explore the surrounding grounds during the day. How are the facilities, parking and such? As is the case with any of Charleston's beaches , parking can be tricky here, and it's all on-street parking at the various public access points. If that's a deal breaker for you, the beaches on the next island, Isle of Palms , have public parking options. Those with mobility issues should also note that many beach accesses are paths, not boardwalks where wheels can get stuck in soft sand. Handicap beach access includes: Station 18, Station 19, Station 22.5, and Station 26.5. One other thing to note: there are no public restrooms available at the beach. All said and done, what—and who—is this best for? Those who prefer to show off bikini bods and scope out others in their swimsuits will be disappointed as this beach is ideal for families." - Stephanie Burt

28 Best Things to Do in Charleston, South Carolina

Brian Allen

Google

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Peaceful & Pristine Sullivan’s Island Beach! What a gem! Sullivan’s Island Beach quickly became one of our favorite beach spots since moving to the area. 🏖️ It’s beautifully maintained, clean, peaceful, and never overly crowded—exactly the kind of relaxing vibe we were looking for. There are no public restrooms, so plan accordingly, and definitely check ahead on their dog rules if you’re bringing your pup (they’re pretty specific depending on the time of year). Overall, a gorgeous beach with soft sand, calm waters, and just enough serenity to make you feel like you’ve found your own little slice of paradise. We’ll definitely be back! 🌊☀️🐾

JOSEPHINE LOCAL GUIDE

Google

While in Charleston, someone recommended we visit Sullivan’s Island. Happy we did! First we had lunch at the Coop & then took a walk to the beach. It’s clean & I felt safe seeing police on their ATVs keeping watch. Parking is a bit scarce & pricey. We paid nearly 24.00 for two hours. Our visit happened to fall on the polar plunge event which someone told us draws in 4000 people so maybe that affected the price. Not sure. Honestly, we will need to do more research next time. Enjoy! Josephine

Shawna Benton

Google

Beautiful beach! Going early saved us from hectic parking. Not many people out til about noon!

Chanchal

Google

Very clean beach and plenty of space to enjoy Atlantic water and waves. I did not see any restrooms, changing room or shower here. Parking was quite far on the street, that too if you can be able find a spot, and then have to take a walk all the way to the beach.

Rand Eberhard

Google

This beach community is one of the best I’ve ever been to. I’ve traveled all through the Golden Isles I can say with confidence that this community is high quality and laid back. The people here are profoundly nice. Golf, beach, fishing, shopping, eating - the fun and beauty is endless. One of my all time favorite places. Tons of college kids from College of Charleston. Clean and peaceful community. A friend of mine moved here from Atlanta and plans to raise his family here. I’d love to live here one day myself. ⛳️🐊🦝🐻💰🎚️❤️‍🔥👑🐺

Leonard Johnson

Google

My favorite beach to visit after living in South Carolina for three years now. Parking is a challenge since you typically have to drive along the adjacent roads until a spot opens up, but I’ve personally never had to drive longer than about 15 minutes before finding a spot. At this time in the year, the shore is littered with dead jellyfish, but the big crowds with no sign of jellyfish injuries put me and the kids at ease.

Phresh R

Google

Second time visiting island very quiet nice , great getaway . You can grill have chairs umbrellas spend a whole day . Saw it was pet friendly does have rules posted Takes a while to find parking no biggie . Take a wagon makes it 100x easier Depending where you park restaurants are all around

Maria Terese

Google

One of my favorite beaches in the Charleston area! There is plenty of "free parking" on the side streets if you have patience to find a spot, and the pathways to walk to the beach are pretty cool too! The beach can be pretty busy on the weekends, but still manageable to find parking and a quiet spot in the sand.

Marie S.

Yelp

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

Chrissy F.

Yelp

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.

Erick W.

Yelp

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!

Anya T.

Yelp

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!

Vincent L.

Yelp

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

Pamela M.

Yelp

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!

Adria C.

Yelp

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.

Shamila P.

Yelp

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.

J David H.

Yelp

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.

Wes A.

Yelp

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

Haley S.

Yelp

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.

Nick G.

Yelp

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

Tiffanee T.

Yelp

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!

Michael B.

Yelp

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!

John B.

Yelp

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.

Aaron S.

Yelp

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.

Jennifer D.

Yelp

* * 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 :(

Suzanne A.

Yelp

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

Salena C.

Yelp

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!

Teresa F.

Yelp

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.

Elizabeth G.

Yelp

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.

Michelle N.

Yelp

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.

Shelby B.

Yelp

If I'm going to a Charleston beach, it is definitely gonna be Sullivan's. It usually has much fewer annoying college students and vastly more room to spread out and be alone. The beach right off the bridge can become crowded on the weekend, but if you drive just a ways in either direction (especially north), you can quickly lose the crowds. There are lots of great little restaurants on the main road if you want a bite to eat. Some of them are quite nice (especially compared to Folly). Watch out for the bridge though. When they rotate it traffic becomes awful.

Bruce K.

Yelp

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.

Charles M.

Yelp

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.

Rebecca A.

Yelp

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.

Davidson H.

Yelp

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.

Carolyn A.

Yelp

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.

Rebekah S.

Yelp

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!

Verna N.

Yelp

Great, clean beach. Mostly shell-less. Only shells I came across were tiny. Soft and warm waves for an August visit. Not busy during weekday mornings and early afternoons. Park anywhere between the beach and Middle Street. Signs will tell you where not to park. Eat along Middle Street. It'll be a short walk if you're at Station 21, 22 or 23.

Erika W.

Yelp

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.

Michael B.

Yelp

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.

Peter P.

Yelp

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.

Madison L.

Yelp

THE BEST BEACH IN CHARLESTON. Prettiest sunsets, cleanest sand, and it's never overwhelmed with tourists. Other than the questionable lighthouse..... Sully's is top-tier!!

Wendy F.

Yelp

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.

Steven B.

Yelp

Everything about this beach is perfect! The surrounding area is full of little shops and restaurants that are great for all ages. The beach is walking distance from pretty much anywhere you park and the walkways crossing through to the beach are beautiful (archways of trees, benches, and the occasional flower). The key thing which impressed me was how I didn't see any garbage lying around - the area is very well maintained. Unlike some beaches that are rocky and uncomfortable to be barefoot, the sand at Sullivan's Island is both soft and beautiful. The water itself was much warmer than I expected despite it being somewhat overcast. The waves when we went were just enough to have fun without being too dangerous. There's a few other beaches in the area, but Sullivan's Island is much less crowded in comparison to Folly or IOP. The only thing I would have loved to see (but wasn't expecting anyway) were bathrooms or a spot to rinse off the sand. Either way, this spot is highly recommended!

Sam T.

Yelp

This is arguably my favorite beach in the Charleston, SC area for just relaxing. There are not throngs of tourist on Sullivan's island unlike Folly or some of the other beaches. The water is beautiful and there are miles of coastline to relax, listen to the waves, and take in the beautiful South Carolina coast.

Emily G.

Yelp

a beautiful beach with fine white sand and lined with gorgeous sea grass. near fort moultrie, we enjoyed the quiet pace of this beach. would return for a beach day here as it is the most peaceful beach we found.

Timothy A.

Yelp

This beach is not lacking in the sand department. Even at high tide, there is sand everywhere. If you're coming here looking for shells though, you're better off going to Folly Beach or Edisto Beach. Sullivan's Island Beach is all about that beach, 'bout that beach, no fossils. I entered the beach at about Station 18 near the triangle lighthouse, also known as the Sullivan's Island Lighthouse. I walked down the beach towards the harbor, all the way to Fort Moultrie, and admired the view of Fort Sumter, the Charleston skyline, and the Ravenel Bridge. This is a great beach to go walking on, or swimming in the ocean, but be careful of strong currents, and be sure that you're swimming around others, in case of an emergency.

Evan G.

Yelp

Great beach with shallow waves that goes on for miles. It didn't seem very crowded other than the dogs people walked. Lots of access points, and uber can drop you near one of them. For lunch, tey the Obstinate Daughter nearby.

Susan K.

Yelp

The beach is sandy and clean, with enough room that it doesn't seem crowded. This is not the beach for surfing or boogie boarding...no waves. Parking is limited, so get there early or hope for a lucky break. We scored a spot only two blocks away at midday after driving around a bit. The boardwalk to the beach is picturesque. It goes under a canopy of leafy trees and then over the dune to the shore. There are handicapped parking spaces right by the boardwalk to the beach, but it is a pretty fair distance to walk and the boardwalk is sidewalk sized, not pier-sized, so if you have someone with a walker, cane, or even a wheelchair, this may not be the best beach for your group.

Carrie L.

Yelp

Was beautiful! Nice sand, not too rocky. Waves were good to play in and it was a clean beach. Nice lighthouse for a finishing touch!

Albert L.

Yelp

I love the beach on Sullivan's. There are many options between Breach Inlet and Fort Moultrie. Free parking, just obey posted restrictions. Pictures say it all...

Monica R.

Yelp

Loved this beach. We went around 4 at station 18 and had a whole section to ourselves. Kida definitely had an enjoyable time and could spread out and play without bumping into anyone.

Kelly C.

Yelp

The best thing about Sullivan's is that the island itself is only like 4 blocks wide, so no matter where you park, you can easily walk to the beach. It's been clean every time I've been there and you have great views - we saw a huge cruise ship heading out to sea when we were leaving on Saturday! Just make sure to pile on the sunscreen.

Richard F.

Yelp

This beach is beautiful and very quiet. The surf rolls in gently and the sand is very clean. There is a warning on a sign that says Danger - Rip Tides.So be forewarned

Kimson L.

Yelp

Dropped by Sullivan's Island Beach after hearing this is a dog-friendly beach, but soon realized there are some ridiculous beach rules! And we couldn't bring our dog there because past curfew. Either be a dog-friendly beach or set aside dog-friendly section like any other beaches up-and-down the Pacific. Don't make rule because you can, making rules that benefit everybody; like no aggressive dog allowed, dog poop you scoop, heavy fine for litters and wastes, etc. not the like of "dog allowed from 6PM to 10AM, but on leash from 6PM to 5AM, and off leash from 5AM to 10AM, all other times we are not dog-friendly"! Make rules and make exceptions to the rules in the same sentence shown that the administration don't know jack and narrowed minded.

Matt W.

Yelp

Solid beach. Very long. The typical SC beach where you need to be mindful of the tide. Beach will be incredibly wide and solid at low tide yet narrow and soft at high tide. Easy access by multiple point across the island. Parking is free along the side streets, though you may need to park a few blocks away during busy weekend times.

Bruce K.

Yelp

A beautiful beach that is wide and deep while being quite flat and very firm. Firm enough to ride a bicycle! Not too crowded and certainly not as touristy. Parking can be interesting, but that's part of the charm!

@travelleisure

Sullivan's Island Beach – Beach Review | Condé Nast Traveler