Isle of Palms Vacation Rentals

How to get to the idyllic Isle of Palms

Charleston International Airport, South Carolina, is the closest airport to the Isle of Palms. It is less than 17 miles away. Currently, there are 31 airlines operating out of Charleston International, including major airlines like American Airlines and Southwest Airlines.

From the airport, one way you can reach your vacation rental on the Isle of Palms by taking a taxi. There is also a special airport shuttle service that you can use to reach your vacation home. Be prepared to spend time on the shuttle as it makes several stops en route. If you're on a budget, you can take the shuttle service to Charlton's Historic District and then take a Carta local bus from there. There isn’t a direct bus, so you will have to transfer to another bus at Mount Pleasant Town Center. Also, the traffic at rush hour can slow to a crawl. This will increase your cab fare, so a bus ride would be the cheaper option.

Since you will be staying at a vacation home on the Isle of Palms, it might be advisable to rent a car. This will give you to freedom to explore the isle at your own pace. You also can rent mopeds once you reach the island too, which is fun for older kids with a drivers license.

The best time to go to Isle of Palms

The island is renowned for its pristine beaches, and hence, the best time to enjoy the sandy shores is during spring and summer. The endless sunshine and warm water make it the perfect time to book your vacation rental on the Isle of Palms. The winter months aren't extreme, but it is known to get rather cold, so bring a sweater if you plan to visit during this time.

Things to do on Isle of Palms

The Isle of Palms County Park is a very attractive place to enjoy a day at the beach. The lifeguards make swimming safe, and the restrooms come in handy if you're with the kids. There are also rental facilities in case you need beach equipment. If you get tired of the sand, the pier offers an escape to view a breathtaking sunset.

The Barrier Island Eco Tour is educative and entertaining for kids as well as adults. This tour covers marine life, aquatic predators and their habits, marine plants, marshes, and a trip to the neighboring Capers Island. This underdeveloped patch is a beautiful island that is a must-see. The sunset tour is a great way to round off the evening.

You can also rent jet skis or take a boat to explore the surrounding waters. And, if you are fit enough and want to get in a bit of exercise, try paddle boarding through the marshland, just don’t forget your sunscreen. If you're looking for an adrenalin rush, you can get a bird’s-eye view of the island when you parasail 600ft above the ground.

Angling enthusiasts will love the fishing charters, and you can even put in a few hours of golfing at the Wild Dunes, but for the ultimate in relaxation, head to the Beach House Spa. Don’t let the tiny, old appearance fool you, the spa boasts great therapists and is only a short walk from many of the vacation rentals on the Isle of Palms.

For history and architecture lovers

Isle of Palms is only about half an hour from the historic town of Charleston. You can easily drive into Charleston, and explore its history on foot, as you stroll through the cobblestoned streets with an informative guide. The historic tours include a visit to the haunted Old City Jail, which held prisoners of the Civil War and even some pirates. You can also take the spooky Graveyard Tour or just visit The Battery to see the antebellum homes.

Fun events on Isle of Palms

If you love the blues, make sure you book your Isle of Palms vacation home in February for the Lowcountry Blues Bash. It's a weekend filled with live blues music that will transform your vacation into an unforgettable experience.

In June, you can join the Piccolo Spoleto Sand Sculpting Contest; and during the Fourth of July weekend, don’t miss the spectacular fireworks display.

Isle of Palms: Elegant architecture and breathtaking views

Battery & White Point Gardens

In the heart of the historic district of Charleston, this famous former Civil War fortification affords incomparable views over Fort Sumter and Charleston Harbour.

Middleton Place

This National Historic Landmark situated directly on Charleston's picturesque Ashley River is surrounded by one of America's oldest and most attractive landscaped gardens. An excellent museum here charts the life of the Middleton family.

Charleston Waterfront Park

Discover Charleston's Waterfront Park, which runs along the Cooper River. Its landscape architecture is stunning and unsurprisingly, award-winning.

Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge

This magnificent cable bridge is 471-m-long, making it the third longest in the Western Hemisphere. There's no more scenic way of traveling from Charleston to Mount Pleasant.

Isle of Palms County Park

The palm-lined Isle of Palms Park offers breathtaking views of the ocean and has a designated swimming area, and areas for dog walking and sports.