Boating is a favorite pastime in Isle of Palms, whether you prefer a manual watercraft like a kayak, canoe, or sailboat or you get energized by the hum of a fishing boat motor or a jet ski. Take a break and head over to Wild Dunes, a fixture of Isle of Palms for decades. Wild Dunes offers tennis and world-class golfing plus other resort amenities.
Beyond the beach, you'll find a small boardwalk complete with surf shops and quick eateries (think pizza slices and ice cream cones). Folks come here to hit the sand and relax, do some wave boarding, and watch the kids play. It's a manageable beach where kids won't get lost, and a beachfront playground offers further variety. For couples, Isle of Palms offers a quieter scene for a romantic getaway or beach wedding, as close as you can get to the tropics without leaving South Carolina.
When are the best times to visit Isle of Palms, SC?
There's no bad time to visit Isle of Palms, SC. When you come depends on what you intend to do during your stay. Beach bums should come between May and August, which coincides with peak season. The beaches will be more crowded, and parking may be a challenge, but you will be glad to cool off when the humid temps hit the upper 90s and low 100s.
Isle of Palms enjoys a semi-tropical climate, so you can expect a lot of rainfall at any time of year, but the rains can be regular and brief, lasting only a half hour. This lull offers a good time for a restroom break, a shopping interlude, or treating yourself to an ice cream sundae.
If you're planning a beach wedding at Isle of Palms, you're in luck. The beaches are public, so there is no cost associated with your wedding. You just need to plan ahead with vendors like photographers, who are required to obtain an Isle of Palms business license to shoot. You should also be careful to take any items like flowers or chairs with you. Since it is a public beach, essentially, anyone can be a guest of your wedding — even if they're in a bikini! Privacy might not be optimal, but the ocean view definitely will be.
It's wise to plan your Isle of Palms beach wedding for late spring through the fall, though you should still watch the forecast for rain or even the occasional hurricane. It's also a good idea to monitor the tide tables, to make sure you don't get washed out during an evening ceremony! Winters are fairly warm, typically in the 60s, but the winds can get quite breezy. You wouldn't want your veil (or your guests) to blow away!
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in Isle Of Palms, SC:
Isle Of Palms, SC: Prices by Star Rating Class
Below are 3 charts illustrating avg. price trends by star rating class in Isle Of Palms, SC. Browse these line graphs to calculate the most cost effective dates to stay in Isle Of Palms for your upcoming travels.
Where are the luxury hotels near Isle of Palms, SC?
4 Star Average Prices: $260.64
For a luxurious stay after your beach day, head into downtown historic Charleston, only 9 miles away. You'll feel you are staying in a gracious, historic Southern home from the moment you enter the courtyard of the Belmond Charleston Place with its tinkling fountain. The doors open to a grand double staircase, marble floors, and chandeliers.
The Belmond Charleston Place's guest rooms, where you can indulge in 24-hour room service at your leisure, are elegantly appointed in velvets and classical luxury furnishings. Step outside for a meal in one of the hotel's three restaurants, have a cocktail at the indoor or poolside bar, or quench your thirst at the hotel coffee shop. Its grand ballroom and over 39,000 sq ft of meeting space are ripe for conferences and large meetings. Just outside the hotel, you are steps away from museums and other Charleston landmarks, and it's only a short drive to Isle of Palms.
What affordable hotel options are around Isle of Palms, South Carolina?
3 Star Average Prices: $161.78
If you don't want to sacrifice distance or amenities but still want an amazing hotel rate near Isle of Palms, then Sleep Inn Mount Pleasant is the hotel for you. This hotel is a gem that guests love for its convenience to both Charleston and Isle of Palms. Parents love its classic kidney-shaped outdoor pool and free breakfast. Kids love lounging in the seating area of the rooms to watch television or get on the free Wi-Fi, just like at home. Business people appreciate the 24-hour concierge service and proximity to the Charleston regional airport. All in all, Sleep Inn Mount Pleasant is a great hotel that's close to everything you need.