Sullivan’s Island Beach Directory

The entrances to the beach are at streets named “stations,” due to their original use by trolleys en route to Isle of Palms. Before going into the history, here is a station cheat sheet.

Shortest beach walks (< 500 feet): Stations 18-19, 28 1/2, 30
Most scenic: Stations 18, 21, 23
Handrails: Stations 18, 21, 26, 29
UFO parked in front: Station 28 1/2

Access to the beaches is provided at the ends of numbered roads called “stations.” Around the turn of the last century, trolleys took Charlestonians to the beaches and further to the Isle of Palms, stopping at these stations. Each station’s beach entrance has unique characteristics that make it a scenic walking trail in its own right. Some are surrounded by vast lawns with fine estates; some have long board walks with railings and built in benches; one is interrupted by a large pond in the middle of sand dunes, and another rests beside a house with an olive garden.

Station 8

At the western end of the island, near Star of the West Street, is the first station. This does not have a beach access path, but on the marsh side there is parking, a dock, and a view of a fishing pier built on remains of a bridge, formerly the Pitt Street Bridge, which once transported vacationers by trolley. My research has not turned up the locations of stations 1 through 7, although I suspect they existed along Pitt Street in Mount Pleasant.

Sta 8 with view of bridge

Station 9

This station does not have a beach path.

Station 10

Though not suitable for swimming, this beach is ideal for watching the sunset. It also is the only beach with a swing and affords the best view of Fort Sumter. Walking distance: 200 feet.

Sta 10 Entrance

Romantic swing

Station 11

This station does not have a public beach path.

Station 12

The beach here is also not suitable for swimming due to deadly currents. What it does have is its own little parking lot and the chance to walk to the beach through the manicured grounds of Fort Moultrie. It’s also a popular fishing spot and has a short walk to the beach. Jetties were built to prevent sand accumulation in Charleston Harbor. Walking distance: 60 feet.

Station 12

View towards Fort Sumter

Stations 13 through 15

These stations do not exist since the land is taken up by Fort Moultrie.

Station 16

The path of Station 16 is lush with abundant tree cover and access to a nature trail. The nature trail loops back and reconnects with the beach, but be forewarned that this trail is not well maintained is a bit more nature than trail. Nonetheless, there are some attractive observation platforms along the way. What is apparent from most beaches on Sullivan’s Island is that there is no problem with sand erosion. Beach trail walking distance: 800 feet.

Station 16 Entrance

Lush tree canopy

Entrance to nature trail

Resting spot along the nature trail

Nature trail observation platform

Nature trail rejoins the beach trail

Beach at Station 16

Station 17

There is no public beach path at this station. The oceanfront is occupied by the private Sand Dunes Club.

Station 18

Perhaps the most mysterious and magical of the beach walks, Station 18 boasts a cool, dark, tree-covered boardwalk, a strong railing with benches, and a boardwalk that spans over the last dune before the beach. Walking distance: 400 feet.

Station 18 Entrance

Warning sign in Edgar Allan Poe font

Bench is ideal for cleaning sandy feet on the way back

Boardwalk vaults the entire sand dune

Station 18 beach

Plenty of elbow room at the height of the season

But you may resort to some awkward parking spaces

View towards ION street looks like I’On

Station 18 1/2

This station is the closest to the Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse, which is maintained jointly by the Coast Guard and National Park Service. Although the lighthouse isn’t open to the public, explanatory markers have been placed which tell an interesting story. Walking distance: 500 feet.

Station 18 1/2 Entrance

Boardwalk path

View of the lighthouse

Station 19

The sand and boardwalk path takes you past a wildflower garden. Walking distance: 500 feet

Station 19 Entrance

Picket fence protecting flower garden

Boardwalk path to packed sand

Grassy sand dunes

Station 20

No beach entrance exists here since land is occupied by Sullivan’s Island Elementary School, the only elementary school directly on a beach.

Station 21

Station 21 features a metal hand rail along the entire stretch of the boardwalk and grassy “lawns” growing right on the dunes. This beach is closest to the parking lot on Ion Ave, named after former mayor Jacob Bond I’On. Walking distance: 700 feet.

Station 21 Entrance

Boardwalk path with railing

Landscaping

Boardwalk path with marker

“Lawns” on the dunes

Station 22

This station has a wide open view and roadway for emergency vehicles. Shoals form to provide shallow warm water troughs, perfect for the timid beachgoer. Walking distance: 600 feet.

Station 22 Entrance

Boardwalk beside road for dune buggies

Beach with sand bar big enough to be another beach

Station 22 1/2

More manicured than others, this station boasts views of fine estate homes and sweeping lawns. If you drive straight after crossing the bridge to the island, this is the beach entry you will get to first. Walking distance: 800 feet.

Station 22 1/2 Entrance

Straight, unimpeded boardwalk to the beach

View of estate homes, lawn and split rail fence

Raised boardwalk in case of flooding

Beach view

Station 23

For wildflowers, fauna, sprawling green space, and views of spectacular beach homes, Station 23 is probably the best choice. Less spectacular for the homeowners is the build up of sand over the years, causing the loss of an ocean view, breezes and the introduction of rodents breeding in the trees and brush. Land use has been the subject of a growing debate. Walking distance: 800 feet.

Station 23 Entrance

Cool grass for hot feet (and paws)

Boardwalk path through the trees

Keep the flip-flops on in the summer. Sand is hot!

Station 24

Example of an easy scenic walk to the beach. Walking distance: 800 feet.

Station 24 Entrance

Raised boardwalk path

Beach

Station 25

Tree canopy entrance followed by some twists and turns. Walking distance: 800 feet.

Tree canopy

Boardwalk path

Beach

Station 26

This station is the only one with a wooden railing and three benches. Pass a small olive orchard. Walking distance: 600 feet.

Station 26 Entrance

Olive garden

Built-in bench

Last bench before the beach

Abundant sand, partly due to southern orientation

Station 26 1/2

Enjoy the shade along this partially tree-canopied path. Walking distance: 700 feet.

Station 26 1/2 Entrance

Straight, hard-packed path

Note lack of snow fences

Beach with sandbars and troughs

Station 27

This path offers a cool walk in the grass until you are surprised by a large pond directly in front of you. Turn left to get around the pond to get to the beach. Walking distance: 1000 feet (due to the pond detour).

Station 27 Entrance

Luxurious walk to the beach

Large pond which is too deep for wading.

Follow the trail to the left

Negotiate the dunes…

…until you reach your destination

Station 28

The variety of trees, shrubs, and wildflowers make Station 28 a worthwhile choice. You should also notice that the walks get shorter the station number increases. Walking distance: 600 feet.

Station 28 Entrance

Enclosed in nature

Boardwalk begins

Crooked path adds character to the experience

The beach at Station 28.

Station 28 1/2

Station 28 1/2 is most noted for the UFO parked at the entrance. The beach has many sand bar islands and is a mecca for para-sailers in the summer. Some of the sand bars are far enough at sea to be only accessible by boat. Walking distance: 400 feet.

Station 28 1/2 Entrance

Front of UFO

Beach-facing side of UFO

Well-packed sand on the path

Station 28 1/2 beach

Para-sailers

View of beach from a sand bar island

Station 29

As you approach the east end of the island, beach erosion becomes a problem with rock jetties installed to control the flow of sand. This beach offers great views of boats and para-sailers. Walking distance: 100 feet.

Station 29 Entrance

Beach and jetty

View of boats

Station 30

Past Station 27, the higher the station number, the smaller the beach and shorter the walk to the beach. Station 30 is one of the shortest. Walking distance: 80 feet.

Station 30 Entrance

Short walk to the beach

Jetty or “Groin”

Shore artillary gun emplacement

Station 31

Very small beach with lots of hurricane protection. Walking distance: 60 feet.

Station 31 entrance

Rocks for protection from hurricanes

Station 32

This station is closest to the bridge that connects Sullivan’s Island with Isle of Palms. Jetties prevent sand from building up in Breach Inlet.

Thomson Park

The sight of a crucial Revolutionary War battle fought to prevent the British from taking Charles Town, the richest city in the South at the time. Colonel William “Danger” Thomson, with cannon fire, grape shot, and expert marksmen among his 780 patriot soldiers, repulsed the attack of 3000 British who attempted to cross what was then a mile wide inlet.