Sullivan's Island

Homes on Sullivan’s Island are among the most expensive in State of South Carolina, with homesites that are oversized in comparison to other beach communities in the Charleston region. Some homes feature commanding views of the Atlantic Ocean, while homes on the back side of the island feature deepwater docks and views of the Intracoastal Waterway. Bolstered by a strict limit on the number of permitted vacation rentals on the island, Sullivan’s Island is inhabited primarily by year-round residents who enjoy an island way of life, as evidenced by their preference for golf carts over automobiles. However, the island’s small commercial district is very popular with tourists and is home to several long-established restaurants, including Poe’s Tavern and Dunleavy’s Pub. This historic island, located at the mouth of Charleston Harbor, played a pivotal role in both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. Visitors can learn about this history by touring Fort Moultrie and its associated visitor center. Visitors to the island are often puzzled by the island’s numerous old bunker structures. Most of these served as coastline defense installations during the Spanish-American War era. Equally puzzling is the beachfront concrete dome “Eye of the Storm House” on Marshall Blvd., estimated to weigh 650 tons, a striking example of the island’s architectural diversity.