Most people come to Isle of Palms for the beach — and they should. Seven miles of wide, sandy Atlantic shoreline, gentle surf, and some of the best sunrises on the East Coast make it one of the top beach destinations near Charleston, SC. But if you spend your entire IOP vacation on the sand and never explore the rest of the island, you're missing out on a lot.
Isle of Palms has a surprisingly deep bench of things to do once you're ready for a break from the waves. Whether you're looking for outdoor adventures, great food, family activities, or just something different to fill an afternoon, this guide covers the ten best things to do on Isle of Palms beyond the beach — all tested and recommended by locals who've spent every summer here.
If you've never surfed before, Isle of Palms is one of the best places on the East Coast to learn. The waves here are typically gentle and forgiving — perfect for beginners who want to stand up on a board without getting pummeled. And if you want a guide who actually knows this stretch of coastline, Salt Marsh Surf Co. is the go-to on the island.
Based right at 21st Avenue on Isle of Palms, Salt Marsh Surf Co. offers surf lessons for all skill levels along with stand-up paddleboard (SUP) tours through the Lowcountry salt marsh creeks behind the island. The SUP tours are a completely different experience from the ocean side — you're gliding through calm, glassy tidal creeks surrounded by marsh grass, oyster beds, and wildlife. Dolphins, egrets, and sea turtles are common sightings. It's one of the most unique outdoor experiences you can have near Charleston, and it's the kind of thing you'd never discover if you just stayed on the beach all week.
Whether you're traveling with kids, a partner, or a group of friends, a morning surf lesson or afternoon paddle through the marsh is worth building into your trip. Book directly through their site — sessions fill up fast during the summer months.
The Windjammer has been an Isle of Palms institution since 1972. It's part beach bar, part live music venue, part community living room — and it's the kind of place that defines the personality of the island. Located right on Ocean Boulevard overlooking the Atlantic, The Windjammer hosts live bands on the deck throughout the week during summer, with bigger acts on weekends. The vibe is barefoot, laid-back, and exactly what you'd want from a night out on a barrier island.
Even if live music isn't usually your thing, The Windjammer is worth a visit just for the atmosphere. Grab a bucket of beer, order a basket of peel-and-eat shrimp, and watch the sun go down over the ocean while a band plays behind you. It's hard to beat. For more dining and bar picks on the island, check out our complete guide to IOP restaurants and bars.
The ocean side of Isle of Palms gets all the attention, but the back side of the island — where the Intracoastal Waterway winds through miles of Lowcountry salt marsh — is where the real nature lives. Kayaking through the tidal creeks at low tide is one of the best outdoor activities on IOP. You'll paddle through narrow channels lined with spartina grass, past oyster banks and sandbars, with a good chance of spotting dolphins, stingrays, and wading birds like great blue herons.
Several outfitters near the IOP Marina rent kayaks and offer guided tours. If you want a guided experience that combines paddling with local ecology, Salt Marsh Surf Co. runs SUP and kayak tours through these same creeks. It's a fantastic way to see a side of IOP that most visitors completely miss.
The northeast end of Isle of Palms is home to Wild Dunes Resort, which features two championship golf courses: the Links Course and the Harbor Course. Both were designed by Tom Fazio and offer stunning coastal scenery — marsh views, ocean breezes, and some of the most photogenic holes you'll find in the Lowcountry. The Links Course, in particular, has holes that run along the Atlantic shoreline and is consistently ranked among the best public-access courses in South Carolina.
Tee times are open to resort guests and non-guests, though availability is tighter during peak summer. If you're staying on IOP and want a morning on the course before an afternoon on the beach, it's one of the best one-two punches a vacation day can offer. For details on staying near Wild Dunes, read our guide to beach rentals near Wild Dunes Resort.
The Isle of Palms Marina sits on the Intracoastal Waterway side of the island near 41st Avenue and is worth a visit even if you're not planning to get on a boat. The marina has a small-town charm to it — fishing charters dock here, locals pull up in their boats for lunch, and the sunsets over the marsh are some of the best on the island.
Islander 71 Fish House & Raw Bar is located right at the marina and serves some of the freshest seafood on IOP. The outdoor lounge overlooks the water and it's a great spot for a late-afternoon drink. If you want to book a fishing charter, inshore and offshore trips leave from the marina daily — ask at the dock or book online in advance during summer.
Isle of Palms is flat, compact, and perfect for biking. Palm Boulevard runs the full length of the island — roughly seven miles from the Connector bridge to Wild Dunes — and has a dedicated bike lane for most of its stretch. An early-morning or late-afternoon ride is one of the best ways to see the island at a relaxed pace, passing beach access paths, marsh overlooks, and quiet residential streets draped in live oaks and palmetto trees.
If you didn't bring bikes, several rental shops on the island and in nearby Mount Pleasant offer daily and weekly rentals with delivery to your vacation rental or hotel.
The County Park at 14th Avenue is the most amenity-packed spot on the island. Operated by the Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission, it offers a large parking lot, public restrooms, outdoor showers, a playground, sand volleyball courts, picnic areas with grills, and a seasonal snack bar. Lifeguards are on duty during summer months.
It's an especially good option for families with young kids who want more than just open beach. The playground gives kids a break from the sand, the picnic shelters are great for birthday parties or group gatherings, and the volleyball courts draw a regular crowd on weekends. For more family-friendly access points along the island, check out our complete guide to every beach access point on IOP.
You don't need a boat to fish on Isle of Palms. Surf fishing from the beach is popular year-round — red drum, whiting, flounder, and bluefish are common catches depending on the season. The southwest end of the island near Breach Inlet is a particularly productive spot thanks to the strong tidal currents that push baitfish through the channel.
If you want to go offshore, charter boats run out of the IOP Marina for half-day and full-day trips targeting everything from redfish and trout in the inshore creeks to mahi, wahoo, and king mackerel further out. A fishing charter is one of the best group activities on the island — especially for families with older kids or groups of friends.
Isle of Palms is only about 25 minutes from downtown Charleston — one of the most celebrated cities in the United States. If you want a day off from the beach, a trip across the Ravenel Bridge opens up world-class restaurants, historic architecture, museums, galleries, and shopping along King Street and the French Quarter.
Some highlights worth the drive: the Charleston City Market, Rainbow Row, the Battery and White Point Garden, Waterfront Park (with the famous Pineapple Fountain), and any number of award-winning restaurants — Husk, FIG, and Slightly North of Broad are local staples. Plan for a lunch in downtown Charleston and be back on IOP in time for a sunset beach walk. It's the best of both worlds.
Some of the best evenings on Isle of Palms don't happen on the beach — they happen at a waterfront restaurant with a drink in your hand and the sun going down over the marsh. The Boathouse at Breach Inlet, at the southwest tip of the island, has one of the most photographed sunset views in the Charleston area. The rooftop bar is the spot — order a cocktail, watch the sky turn orange over the Intracoastal, and let the evening unfold.
Coconut Joe's and its rooftop bar Tequila Ted's offer oceanfront sunset views from the heart of Front Beach, while Islander 71 Fish House at the marina gives you a calmer, marsh-side sunset with fresh oysters and craft cocktails. No reservations needed at most of these spots, but The Boathouse fills up fast on summer weekends — book ahead if you can. For the full rundown, see our guide to the best restaurants and bars on IOP.
There's a lot. You can take surf lessons or SUP tours with Salt Marsh Surf Co., kayak through salt marsh tidal creeks, catch live music at The Windjammer, play golf at Wild Dunes, explore the IOP Marina, bike the island, fish from shore or by charter, visit the Isle of Palms County Park, take a day trip to downtown Charleston, or enjoy sunset cocktails at waterfront restaurants like The Boathouse at Breach Inlet.
Yes! IOP has consistent surf, especially during hurricane season and fall swells. The waves are generally gentle and great for learning. Salt Marsh Surf Co., located at 21st Avenue on Isle of Palms, offers surf lessons for all skill levels.
Absolutely. IOP has excellent restaurants and bars, two championship golf courses at Wild Dunes Resort, kayaking and paddleboarding on the Intracoastal Waterway, a marina with fishing charters, biking paths, live music venues, and it's a 25-minute drive from downtown Charleston — one of the top-rated cities in the country.
Top outdoor activities include surfing and stand-up paddleboarding (tours through Salt Marsh Surf Co.), kayaking through salt marsh creeks, biking along Palm Boulevard, fishing from the beach or via charter boats at the IOP Marina, golfing at Wild Dunes, and exploring the Isle of Palms County Park.
The beach is still the main event on Isle of Palms — and it should be. But the island has enough going on that you could easily fill a full week without repeating a single activity. Start your morning with a beach day (let Beach Bums handle the chairs, umbrellas, and coolers), then spend your afternoons and evenings exploring everything else IOP has to offer.
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