Discover Sullivan's Island

Sullivan's Island combines white sandy beaches with an unusually multifaceted history. Along 2.5 miles of beach, at historic fortifications and in the marshlands around the island, you can enjoy very different kinds of vacation days. If you are looking for a vacation rental in Sullivan's Island, you can therefore first consider whether you want to focus on the beach and water, history or a mix of culture and activity.

Beach, Nature and Water Activities

Public beach access points with wooden boardwalks and footpaths make it easier to find your way along the coast. Thomson Park is located on the beach between Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms at Breach Inlet. There are opportunities for surf fishing; the site is also the location of a historic battle from the American Revolutionary War. The combination of coastal scenery and history makes Thomson Park a destination for anyone who wants to combine a beach day with a specific historic site.

The Sullivan's Island Nature Trail runs across 190 acres of accreted land along the beach from Station 12 to Station 29. Two-hour paddleboard tours through the marshlands and creeks around Sullivan's Island offer another perspective on the landscape. If you prefer to explore on land, you can plan a bike ride along the paved side roads between Fort Moultrie and the Breach Inlet Bridge. This gives you several forms of activity to choose from when planning your trip, without every day having to look the same.

Forts and Batteries as Travel Experiences

Fort Moultrie was restored to showcase the most important phases of its history from 1809 to 1947. The historic fort and Visitor Center are open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; visitors can take a self-guided tour. Fort Moultrie is accessible by car at 1214 Middle Street on Sullivan's Island. The fixed opening hours and self-guided format provide a clear framework for the visit, while allowing you to fit it into the rest of your day's plans.

Battery Jasper also offers an introduction to the island's military history. The U.S. Army built it between 1897 and 1898 as the most important battery of the Endicott System on Sullivan's Island. One gun emplacement is open to the public and displays the magazine, shell room and the gun platform above it. Battery Gadsden was originally a Spanish-American four-gun battery. Since March 1977, it has housed the Edgar Allan Poe/Sullivan's Island Library; in July 1974, Battery Gadsden was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Understanding Historical Contexts

Sullivan's Island's history also includes difficult and significant sites of remembrance. Between 1619 and 1808, the island served as an arrival point for approximately 40 percent of the enslaved people brought to North America. In addition, a total of 248 enslaved people escaped from fortifications on Sullivan's Island, including Fort Moultrie, in 1863 and 1864. These contexts give the historic sites an additional dimension that extends beyond architecture and military history.

Charleston Light is part of the historic United States Coast Guard Historic District, which the National Park Service protects and preserves. The lighthouse is the last major lighthouse built in the United States and has stood on Sullivan's Island since 1962. The grounds of Charleston Light and the historic Life Saving Station are currently closed to public use, except under a special-use permit or for events approved or hosted by the park. You should take this restriction into account when planning and not include the lighthouse as an ordinary sightseeing destination.

Which Accommodation Fits Your Travel Plans

When looking for accommodation on Sullivan's Island, the planned mix of relaxation and discovery is a useful starting point. Beach access points, Fort Moultrie, historic batteries, bike rides and excursions on the water represent different daily rhythms. A vacation rental can serve as your own base for planning your trip, without implying any specific amenities or a particular location. Those traveling with children might alternate between self-guided tours, time at the beach and a bike ride at different paces; those with a stronger interest in history can make Fort Moultrie and the batteries the focus of their trip.

For further orientation within the selection of destinations, you can also find Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, Folly Beach, Edisto, Isle Of Palms, Ladson, Hollywood and Charleston.

For the higher-level travel overview: Charleston.