A barrier island that borders Charleston Harbor on one side, Sullivan’s Island is one of the most exclusive zip codes in the United States. While prices have come down some during the current real estate slow down, most properties are over $1 million.  Houses often have easy access to the beach or marsh or both.  Most afternoons there’s a steady and refreshing sea breeze.  There are about 2,000 residents and a thousand households on the island.

Like most of the barrier islands around Charleston, Sullivan's has a wide beach for walking or bike-riding.  Some years there’s a large sandbar in front of the island, creating shallow tidepools that allow children a sheltered place to play.  At the ends of the island, swimming is prohibited because of strong tidal currents.

The island’s government has worked hard to maintain the small-town, community feeling of this coastal island.  Unlike the Isle of Palms, short-term rentals are discouraged.  People often get around by walking or riding a bike.  There are no hotels, bed and breakfasts or other transient housing. The small commercial district, only about 4 or 5 blocks in total, includes several great restaurants with a casual island feel.  One is named after poet Edgar Allen Poe, who was stationed on Sullivan’s Island at Fort Moultrie in 1827.

The beach access paths and many of the roads are named after the trolley stations that once connected residents and tourists with downtown Charleston.  It’s common to hear, “I’ll meet you at Station 28.”  There are only two roads off the island.  One connects Sullivan’s Island to Mount Pleasant via a swing bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway.  The old swing bridge is being replaced with a new one.  The other path goes first to the Isle of Palms and then into Mount Pleasant via a high fixed-span bridge.

Each year, the fire department hosts several big events, including a holiday festival and an oyster roast.  Several churches serve the local community.  Sullivan's Island Elementary School students can walk right to the ocean, and this well-respected school hosts students who live on Sullivan's, Isle of Palms, and boat access islands like Goat Island and Dewees Island.  A public library is housed in a former bunker.  Middle and high school students go to Laing and Wando, respectively.

Sullivan’s Island has a long military history of protecting Charleston Harbor from invaders.  There are many wonderful books which capture those stories.  Remnants of the military are abundant.  Some former fortifications are now single family residences.  Many of these historic homes have withstood the test of time and hurricanes.  Fort Moultrie, an important part of both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, is now a National Park with a Museum.

Town ordinances restrict when dogs, which must be licensed, can be on the beach.  Kite boarding is restricted to the northern end of the island.

The beaches are maintained in their natural state with no commercial development on the beach front.   The Town does not maintain toilets or other facilities on the beach. Visitors are expected to take all trash off the beach when they leave.  The Town appreciates its visitors’ assistance with keeping our beautiful beaches clean.

Residents love the laid back lifestyle.