Golf cart rentals in Wild Dunes Resort, SC

Everything you need for a relaxing beach vacation can be found at Wild Dunes Resort

Isle of Palms is 12 miles from Charleston, SC, but it feels like a different world. With a calm stretch of beach, a charming boardwalk, and winding bike trails, it gives off the feeling of relaxation and retreat. If you want to experience the tranquility of this island hamlet, the Wild Dunes Resort includes all the perks of island life plus the bonus of having everything you need right at your fingertips. With world-class dining, several lodging options, and plenty of activities to keep the kids busy, this sprawling resort is the perfect location for families looking for a low-key beach experience.

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How to Plan Your Vacation at Wild Dunes Resort

The best part about Wild Dunes is that you can select lodging that’s perfect for your group. There are several options from which to choose. If you want an incredible concierge service, The Sweetgrass Inn, which opened in 2021, offers charming rooms, a spa, and several dining options. For larger groups and more space, check out the Residences at Sweetgrass. Located right above the Sweetgrass Plaza, you can choose from one-to three-room furnished rentals with all the hotel perks. For more privacy, Wild Dunes also offers private rental homes and condos.

Plan your itinerary

Whether you come to Wild Dunes during the off-season or the busy months, there’s plenty to keep you and your family entertained.

The PoolsKids will want to spend plenty of time in the pools. The Sweetgrass Inn Pools (they’re heated!) are the shining gem in the middle of the resort, with a zero-entry pool, a splash pad, and poolside Island Adventure programs. There is even live music by the firepit in the summer.

The Grand Pavilion offers two stunning beachside pools; it’s where you’ll find Beachside Burgers. If you want to swim laps or join in on the family friendly games and recreation happening in the warmer months, head for The Swim Center Pool.

The BeachOf course, the Isle of Palm beach is the main attraction for good reason. Wide, sandy beaches, mellow waves perfect for kids, and stunning beach homes to admire, it’ll be easy to spend all day enjoying the sun and surf. Wild Dunes has direct access to the beach, and they offer beach chair and umbrella rentals for guests.

The ActivitiesThere is so much going on at Wild Dunes! It’ll be tricky to find time to fit in all the fun like Sunday S’mores, Bingo Night, Minute to Win It Game Night, Dive-In Movie Night, Family Movie Night, a sunset sandcastle contest, guided beach walks, poolside crafts, and much more. Many of these events are complimentary, but some require reservations and a fee, so be sure to check. If you want to see the resort by bike, there are rentals available daily, including tandem bikes for parents with little kids.

If you feel like relaxing, there are many places to do just that! Enjoy the swinging hammock chairs at Sweetgrass Inn, the Adirondack chairs in Sweetgrass Plaza, and the beach and pool loungers just about anywhere.

Decide where you want to eat

Charleston is known for its world-class cuisine, and Isle of Palms lives up to the hype. Guests of Wild Dunes have access to all the restaurants on the property; the biggest challenge might be deciding where to go.

For breakfast, if you’re in the mood for something quick, head to Woody’s, where they serve all-day breakfast (this spot has many options for kids!). Wander into Hudson’s Market & Cafe and order a gourmet breakfast sandwich while stocking up on beach snacks and drinks. For something upscale, head for Coastal Provisions, where you’ll choose between fluffy pancakes, french toast, omelets, and plenty of sides like biscuits, bacon, mixed berries, and breakfast potatoes.

At lunchtime, the world is your culinary oyster! The Laughing Gull, located by the Sweetgrass Inn pools, has Caribbean-inspired fare like the must-try conch fritters, the Cuban sandwich, and chicken tenders for little ones. Beachside Burgers (open in the warm months) offers delicious burgers, fries, soft pretzels, popcorn shrimp, and more. If you’re looking for tacos, stop by the vintage airstream trailer in Sweetgrass Plaza. Choose from Carne Asada, Chicken Tinga, or even vegetarian options.

When it comes time for dinner, save one night for Coastal Crust. Offering Neopolitan-style pies made with locally-sourced ingredients, this will be a family favorite. If fine dining is what you want, Coastal Provisions is ideal. Chef Thalita Smith consistently presents a delectable seasonal-infused menu of seafood and chops. Her salads are a must-try, as are the beef and seafood dishes.

Things to Do Nearby

If you want to venture out of Wild Dunes resort, there are plenty of places to go and things to do.

Head to CharlestonThis cultural city is a mere 30-minute drive from the Isle of Palms. Spend some time admiring the historical homes, take a carriage ride, hit up the playground near Rainbow Row, take a wildlife cruise, or visit the Children's Museum of the Lowcountry!

Visit the South Carolina Aquarium or the Center for Birds of PreyWhether they love sea life or the Lowcountry habitat, there's a place for your little naturalists. The Sea Turtle Care Center at the aquarium is especially fun for budding conservationists.

Check out Shem Creek & BoardwalkThis waterfront area in Mount Pleasant is over two thousand feet long and offers panoramic views of Charleston Harbor, Fort Sumter, and Castle Pinckney.

ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCBD) – Wild Dunes Resort on Thursday filed a lawsuit against the Isle of Palms (IOP) for enacting ordinances which limit the resort’s development.

Five ordinances were passed in November which proponents said protected the city’s greenspaces. The ordinances amend stipulations of a Planned Residential Development (PRD) zoning district contract created in 1975 when the development of the resort began. It was previously amended in 2016 to reduce the number of units permitted.

The most recent changes were brought about amid fears that Wild Dunes was planning to build additional condos/hotels where current golf courses and recreation spaces exist. However, in a statement to News 2, a representative for the developer said “the developer did not propose to build on existing golf courses/green spaces.”

In a series of public meetings, residents expressed concern about the overpopulation that the additional development could bring as well as the damage it could cause to the environment.

Despite initial worries about how long the process could take, councilmembers acted quickly to pass the amendments, which Wild Dunes claims violated the city’s own protocol.

“The City failed to comply with the requisite procedure. As detailed above, the Planning Commission reviewed and recommended the Subject Ordinances on or around November 9, 2022, which was after the public hearings on the Subject Ordinances had already been held on October 18 and November 1, 2022. Thus, the City violated the procedural requirements of Section 5-4-39 of the City’s Code for amending PDD zoning districts.”

Likewise, Wild Dunes claims the city failed to meaningfully engage with stakeholders — despite a representative publicly appealing to council members at a November 15 meeting — and left them no option but to take legal action.

The lawsuit also argues that the city’s reasoning for passing the ordinances is misguided, stating that Wild Dunes has brought “measured and positive growth to the City for decades,” and would continue to do so with any new development.

It cites the many rehabilitation and renovation projects undertaken by Wild Dunes over the years — sometimes in partnership with the city — to improve the shoreline, golf courses, and other recreation facilities.

Regarding overpopulation, Wild Dunes noted that the existing PRD allowed for another 330 dwelling units and 53 inn units to be built, but Wild Dunes had no plans to build them all at once. Instead, developers said they would be “completed over time based upon real estate market conditions and other factors.” The lawsuit goes on to claim that individual rental properties bring far more traffic to the island, and that taking away property rights should not be used as a solution to regulate traffic.

Ultimately, the lawsuit claims that the ordinances prevent “economically viable and productive uses of [Wild Dunes’] property,” which effectively amounts to “the regulatory taking of [the] property.” Thus, according to the lawsuit, the city should compensate Wild Dunes for the land it took, or return the property rights to the owners.

News 2 has reached out to IOP for comment.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include a statement from the developer.

Tucked inside the Boardwalk Inn at Wild Dunes Resort is Coastal Provisions, a restaurant and bar that welcomes hungry diners with hospitality and crave-worthy dishes.

My husband and I are always excited to try local eateries, so we made a Friday reservation, booked a babysitter, and headed out for a much-needed date night.

Since Wild Dunes is a gated resort community on the Isle of Palms, having a reservation is helpful. It’s not very far from where we live in Mount Pleasant, but the atmosphere of the resort and the proximity to the beach feels like being on vacation.

The décor at the spacious restaurant feels upscale beachy and cozy with soft blues and beiges, turquoise accents and watercolor paintings. Our attentive server helped us order cocktails: Provisional Paloma with tequila, pamplemousse liquor, grapefruit and agave for my husband, and a Summer Sip made with Hendricks, St. Germain, cucumber and rose for me.

Chef de Cuisine Thalita Smith has created a menu based around fresh seafood and meat, crafted with seasonal ingredients. The current menu highlights fruits and vegetables such as peaches, heirloom tomatoes and corn, sustainably sourced from local purveyors. Tasty dishes include an Heirloom Tomato Salad; a Crudo appetizer with peaches, pomegranate and jalapeno emulsion; and a Half Chicken entrée featuring corn puree, vegetable giardiniera and heirloom tomato jam.

For starters, we sampled the beef tartar special with caviar that was phenomenal. We also had the octopus appetizer made with panisse, fava beans, pickled fresno chili and piquillo pepper emulsion. The presentation alone was show-stopping, but the octopus was grilled just right.

The scallop and pork belly entrée with a pea puree and maitake mushrooms was excellent as well, with each bite better than the next. The Catch of the Day varies depending on what’s in season locally and comes with summer succotash, squash and saffron beurre blanc. The restaurant focuses on local and sustainable seafood, and is a partner of the South Carolina Aquarium Good Catch Program.

The irresistible dessert menu boasts Cheesecake with Roasted Peaches, Guava Cake with mascarpone cream and lemon and lime curd, and a Bourbon Chocolate Verrine. Even though we were pretty full, my husband and I split the verrine, and it was delectable.

After dinner, we walked over a little bridge that goes over the adults-only pool, and down the adorable boardwalk to the lively beach bar. The spacious outdoor area has plenty of seating, live music, and gorgeous ocean views. We watched the waves for a while and enjoyed the evening breeze, and were reminded yet again why we live in such an amazing place – with all this beauty just 15 minutes from our house.

Delicious food, friendly and attentive staff, and a location that can’t be beat - Coastal Provisions checks all the boxes for a great date night out.

The restaurant is open daily from 5-10 p.m. For more information or to make a reservation, call 843-886-2200 or visit www.wilddunes.com.

ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCBD) – Residents on the Isle of Palms voiced concerns about a possible threat to the island’s golf courses, green spaces, and recreation spaces.

Some of the green spaces in the Wild Dunes Resort could be bulldozed if action isn’t taken to prevent development. Neighbors say they’re concerned Wild Dunes Resort owners are looking to build hotels and homes over the spaces.

The overwhelming message from residents during a special called city council meeting Monday was working to protect the green spaces. City council approved the first reading for five ordinances they say will do just that. Some council members warn it could be a lengthy process.

“Who wins when we give away accommodations tax money,” says Randy Bell, a former Isle of Palms City Councilman and concerned resident. “The entities that don’t benefit the community, that is not a benefit to this community.”

Dozens of residents voiced concerns about potential plans to build over Wild Dunes golf courses and recreational spaces saying the development could bring severe consequences.

“Not only to preserve the greenspaces and open spaces that are critical for stormwater management but also to limit the density in Wild Dunes to mitigate the impact on the city’s resources,” says Bev Miller, a concerned resident.

Plans for development within the resort could bring hundreds of homes, hotels, or condos in place of the current green spaces. Residents at the meeting say it would also bring traffic, noise, and parking issues with it.

“And it’s for the purpose of allowing this audience and this community a voice in the affairs of the community,” says Bell.

Council took up five ordinances meant to protect green space and prevent the building. All five ordinances passed with 8 to 1 votes.

“We need to make sure we protect all the interests, protect as much greenspace as we can,” says Councilman Rusty Streetman. “Conservation and all of that is top of mind.”

Councilman Kevin Popson was the only no vote on the ordinances. The ordinances will likely move to second reading in the coming weeks. Council warns the process could be a lengthy one with potential negotiations with Wild Dunes or legal action looming.

“I fully support what we are doing,” says Councilman Blair Hahn. “But this is the beginning of what could be a six-month process.”

During the special called meeting, residents say it’s important to keep fighting to protect the land and recreational spaces.

“We can not back down from these people,” says Tony Santiago, a concerned resident. “They will just keep coming and coming and coming.”

Isle of Palms City Council will hold a public hearing on the topic and five ordinances Tuesday, October 18th at City Hall to allow people to give feedback before they get a second reading. The hearing will start at 5 pm.

ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCBD) – The first of two public hearings on the Isle of Palms regarding possible development at Wild Dunes Resort brought dozens of residents to city hall to share their opposition to the potential project Tuesday evening.

Some of the green spaces, golf courses, and recreation spaces within the Wild Dunes Resort could be paved over to make room for hotels, condos, apartments, or homes.

An overwhelmingly negative response from residents was heard Tuesday night.

“The residents are telling you what they want. I hope you’re listening,” said one resident.

“Enough is enough. I hope you don’t take the bait. Don’t drive a wedge in us. We are not divided,” said another.

City council has the power to protect and conserve the area by passing several ordinances that are being discussed. There are five in total written specifically about development in the Wild Dunes community.

“The council directed staff to initiate changes in the zoning code that would have the effect of limiting the development allowed within Wild Dunes to today’s current levels,” said Douglas Kerr, the city’s Building, Planning, and Zoning Director.

At a special city council meeting earlier this month, all five ordinances passed the first reading 8-1.

Councilman Kevin Popson was the only no vote on the ordinances.

However, there’s still a way to go before the ordinances can become law including a second public hearing, a planning commission recommendation, and second reading and vote in front of city council.

At Tuesday’s hearing, the public largely urged city council to keep the ordinances moving forward and say no to commercialization and development within the Wild Dunes community.

“I’ll stop when council listens to the people that take their time to come here and plead with the council that we elected to do the right thing,” said former councilmember and IOP resident Randy Bell.

One resident presented details of a petition which has been signed y more than 750 IOP residents opposing development in Wild Dunes, and encouraging council members to vote for the ordinances.

Another public hearing is set for November 1st at 5:00 p.m. at the IOP recreation center.