Sullivans Island Vacations

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Vacation Rental

Featured Vacation Rentals

Raven by AvantStay | Entertainers Dream ...

Welcome to Raven, an AvantStay home!All your beachy dreams come true at this unique getaway, just mins. from nature trails and Sullivan’s Island beach. Step into an broad, open floor plan with stunningly high ceilings and cavernous rooms that...

  • Sullivans Island
  • 9 Bedrooms
  • 4 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 12
Raven by AvantStay | Entertainers Dream ...

Welcome to Raven, an AvantStay home!All your beachy dreams come true at this unique getaway, just mins. from nature trails and Sullivan’s Island beach. Step into an broad, open floor plan with stunningly high ceilings and cavernous rooms that...

  • Sullivans Island
  • 9 Bedrooms
  • 4 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 12
Classic Style Sullivan's Island house - ...

Looking for the ideal summer beach rental? Well, you've found it! This striking 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom vacation home rental is available weekly from Sunday to Sunday starting Memorial Day through mid-August and has all you need for a sublime vacation...

  • Sullivans Island
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 8
Classic Style Sullivan's Island house - ...

Please note that every reservation will be required to sign an independent vacation rental agreement.Welcome to 2820 Ion Ave! Escape to Sullivan's Island in this alluring vacation home that's only 1.5 blocks from the beach! This charmingly classic...

  • Sullivans Island
  • 6 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 12
Historic Captain's Quarters on Sullivan'...

1766 Ion AveIf you're ready to experience one of the most unique stays on Sullivan's Island, look no further than 1766 Ion Ave, one of six historic residences in the Bachelor Officer's Quarters property on Station 18! This 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom...

  • Sullivans Island
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6
Stunning Coastal Castle on Sullivans Isl...

Gracious living in the 4950 sq ft. , 6 bedroom Mugdock Castle with a pool. This idyllic & opulent property is a block from Sullivan's Island beach just behind Ft. Moultrie.The property has room for everybody in and outside offering 1600 sq ft of...

  • Sullivans Island
  • 6 Bedrooms
  • 6 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 16

Sullivans Island Tours & Activities

Shark-tooth Hunting/Intracoastal Waterway Expedition

duration: 4 Hours meeting_point: Shem Creek Marina Boat Ramp description: Embark on a 4-hour adventure along the Intracoastal Waterway, hunting for ancient shark teeth and exploring Charleston’s stunning waterways. A fun and interactive tour for...

Ion Swamp Trail Hike and Sewee Visitors Center

Nature Adventures Outfitters

Book online
$25.00 - $35.00

duration: 2.5 hours cancellation_summary: Can Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, Within 24 hours of the event there will be a $20 rebooking fee on any rescheduled tours. Tours cancelled by Nature Adventures Outfitters due to...

4 Hour Charter

Burnt & Sandy

Book online
$100.00 - $450.00

Get out on the water! Duration 4 hours Every adventure is different! Depending on tides and your preference we may have the opportunity to hunt for sharks’ teeth, cruise the harbor, and many other adventures! Please include requests and...

City Lights Harbor Cruise (Daniel Island)
Book online
$18.00 - $38.00

duration: 1.5 Hours meeting_point: description: This special harbor cruise from the Daniel Island Ferry will take you from the Daniel Island dock, down the Wando River, under the Ravenel Bridge and around the battery. Couples can enjoy a a quiet...

Center Open House

The Center for Birds of Prey

Book online
$12.00 - $18.00

Open House Details The Avian Conservation Center welcomes you to an Open House on **Saturday, September 21**. During the Open House, we’re offering visitors an expanded experience that includes the opportunity to learn more about...

Swamp Trophy Fishing

Topwater Kayak Charters

Book online
$250.00 - $325.00

About Get up-close and personal with a Lowcountry oxbow swamp! This excursion kayaks deep into an oxbow lake and surrounding ancient cypress swamps to immerse participants in pursuit of trophy bowfin. For the unfamiliar, bowfin are an ancient...

Three Hour Tour

Captain Dan's Water Tours

Book online
$425.00 - $625.00

Private, Personalized Tours Just For You and Your Group! _______________________________ Rates - **Crew of 1-6 People:** $425 *All Ages Welcome* Duration 3 Hours About Your vacation plans to Charleston just got more exciting! Try...

Kid's Fish Camp

Lowcountry Coastal Excursions

Book online
$1,250.00

duration: 5 Days cancellation_summary: 30 days of your camp’s start date are non-refundable. group_size: Up to 18 guests description: Charleston Kids Fishing Camp (5 Days) – Young anglers (ages 7-13) learn casting, knot tying, fish ID, crabbing...

Island Hopping Charter

Saltgrass Charters

Book online
$690.00

duration: 6 Hours meeting_point: Shem Creek Marina Boat Ramp description: Set sail on a 6-hour Island-Hopping Day cruise, where you’ll visit some of Charleston's stunning barrier islands. Collect seashells, search for shark teeth, and enjoy the...

ACE Basin Tour

Beaufort Kayak Tours

Book online
$40.00

*Explore the C in ACE* Rates **Adult (Ages 13+):** $65 **Child (Ages 12-5):** $35 Duration 2 hours and 30 minutes About Explore one of the most interesting areas in Beaufort county, from a natural history conservation and cultural...

Inshore Fishing Charter - 4 Hours

Lowcountry Coastal Excursions

Book online
$550.00 - $850.00

duration: 4 Hours cancellation_summary: Refund 100% if guest cancels 15+ days before trip date. group_size: Up to 12 guests description: The inlets, sounds, bays, tidal creeks, marsh grass and oyster banks in our area make Charleston one of the top...

Bachelor/Bachelorette Cruise

Saltgrass Charters

Book online
$195.00 - $492.00

duration: 1 - 4 Hours meeting_point: Shem Creek Marina Boat Ramp description: Celebrate your Bachelor or Bachelorette party with a private cruise along the scenic Intracoastal Waterway or the charming shoreline of downtown Charleston. Enjoy a lively...

Find your perfect Sullivans Island

Fishing Charter

Sullivans Island, SC

Sullivan's Island is a small barrier island just outside Charleston, South Carolina, known for its quiet beaches, historic landmarks, and relaxed, upscale vibe.

With wide sandy shores and gentle ocean breezes, Sullivan's Island offers a peaceful coastal escape steeped in history. The island is home to Fort Moultrie, a key site in both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, and offers panoramic views of Charleston Harbor. Visitors can enjoy beachcombing, paddleboarding, and exploring the charming village area, which features local shops, restaurants, and cafes - all within walking distance of the shore.

Lodging on Sullivan's Island is primarily made up of private vacation rental homes, many with ocean views and easy beach access. The island maintains a quiet, residential feel, making it ideal for visitors seeking a more laid-back experience just minutes from the culture and excitement of downtown Charleston. Whether you're exploring local history, biking along quiet streets, or relaxing on a nearly empty beach, Sullivan's Island offers a refined and tranquil South Carolina coastal getaway.

Sullivans Island SC

Sullivan's Island is arguably a South Carolina beach lover's paradise. With a laid-back atmosphere and little development, the town is a Mecca for busy Charleston urbanites, part-time resident retirees and vacationing families from all over the East Coast. Though just 3.3 square miles in area, with little commercialization besides a handful of galleries and restaurants, this small barrier island nonetheless has a big reputation as one of the best family-friendly destinations along the Carolina coastline, and thousands of visitors or part-time residents flock to the area every year for a refreshing day trip, or a much needed weeklong break from the daily grind.

With few distractions from the clear blue ocean beaches and local sites, many regular vacationers to Sullivan's Island attest that when it comes to good times in a great natural environment, Sullivan's Island is hard to beat.

Sullivans Island SC

Sullivan's Island is located just south of Charleston, connected by the short Ben Sawyer Bridge, and separated slightly from the mainland by a series of coves and inlets. The island jets out into the Atlantic Ocean and borders the wide opening of the Charleston Harbor - a geographic locale that has made this otherwise discreet barrier island instrumental to early American history.

Sullivan's Island was first discovered by English explorers in the 1670s, when a British Captain and new colonist Florence O'Sullivan descended on the area to start a new colony. This new "Sullivan's Island," named in his honor, would gradually become one of the main port towns of entry for fleets of ships accessing the low country area. Sadly, this notable role came with a cost, as in the 1770s, it was estimated that 40% of slaves traded to the North American colonies first arrived at Sullivan's Island - a fact that have made many historians to liken the region to a lesser-recognized Ellis Island for America's African Americans.

Sullivans Island SC

Sullivan's Island would, however, become a source of pride for South Carolinians in the 1770s as well, as on June 28th, 1776, the not-yet-completed Fort Moultrie would be bombarded by British Troops during the initial stages of the Revolutionary War. These attacks would prove to be unsuccessful, however, and after a full day of battle, the 400 American soldiers stationed at Fort Moultrie would wind up triumphant over the British invasion. This victory is still celebrated on Sullivan's Island and Charleston County today, and is known regionally as the "Carolina Day" celebration.

The fort, which was named "Moultrie" after the commander who headed this initial victory, would later have a secondary role in American history as the temporary home of famous American writer Edgar Allan Poe, who was stationed at Fort Moultrie from November 1827 to December 1828.

Sullivans Island SC

Despite its roots tied to the initial colonization by Florence O'Sullivan, the town, which saw little traffic besides the local fort soldiers and lighthouse keepers, was initially divided into distinct communities, and was known as Moultrieville and Atlanticville, respectively. It wasn't until the two towns merged that the community, as a whole, was finally referred to as Sullivan's Island.

In 1862, Charleston Light, or Sullivans Island Lighthouse was built, making it one of the newest lighthouses in the country, and development gradually blossomed over the ensuing decades, turning the beachside town into a veritable vacation destination.

In 2006, Sullivan's Island made waves and national headlines when it became the first municipality in South Carolina to ban smoking in all public places, and today, the island is a collection of vacation rental homes and small businesses that cater to their seasonal vacationing or day-tripping clientele.

Sullivans Island SC

Arguably, the most popular attraction on this island is not the lighthouse or the historic fort, but the beach itself, and with a few miles of shoreline but relatively few residents and commercialization, Sullivan's Islanders will find plenty of elbow room to enjoy the quiet scene. The area is well known for its seashells, especially the sand dollars that wash up along the shoreline on a regular basis. (Visitors are advised to keep the white, sun bleached sand dollars, and throw the gray, fuzzy ones back into the water, as they are still alive and well.)

Entertainment seemingly revolves around the water, in fact, as Sullivan's Island is a popular spot for surf fishing, crabbing, surfing, kayaking and even stand-up paddle boarding. Out of the sun, the town also features an eclectic collection of art galleries and gift shops that are sure to keep visitors entertained for an afternoon or two.

Sullivan's Island also boasts a renowned restaurant district, which is essentially a block or two of famous local BBQ joints, pubs, and even fine dining establishments, all conveniently located in a small center-of-town region. With ample front porch seating and late night hours, the restaurant district is essentially the place to go for a good meal or a late night out on the town.

Visitors will soon discover that Sullivan's Island is selectively limited in accommodations, and there are no major hotels, motels or inns on the island. (Although weekend visitors should note that there are plenty of options in Charleston, just a few minutes' drive away.) Instead, the island is comprised mainly of vacation rentals and primary residents, and visitors have the option to stay at over 200 of these individual homes. Generally rented in a weekly basis, these rental homes can range from inlet-bordering cottages to 6 or 7 bedroom oceanfront estates, making it easy for parties big and small to find a relaxing and accommodating place to call a temporary home.

Sullivan's Island has always had a place on the national map as a groundbreaking historical landmark, and one of the initial settlements and battlegrounds of the Revolutionary War, but today the region is clearly known more for its shore side landscapes and miles of sand than for its military exploits.

As a result of years of limited development ad careful preservation of its local landmarks and pristine beaches, visitors will enjoy ample sunshine, plenty of room on the shoreline, and small collection of shops and restaurants that invite patrons to pull up a picnic table, grab a cold drink, and stay a while. As to go-to destination for busy Charleston professionals who need a break from city life, and visitors in search of a family-oriented beach vacation destination, Sullivan's Island is clearly a gem along the South Carolina coastal scene.

Sullivans Island Vacation Guides