kitchen countertopsin Sullivan's Island, SC

SULLIVAN’S ISLAND, S.C. (WCBD)- Cars coming onto Sullivan’s Island from Mount Pleasant will no longer be able to turn left onto Middle Street or continue straight onto Station 22 1/2 Street.

Those changes are due to a new traffic pattern that has been put in place with a new median at the Town’s main intersection.

To access the island’s northern side, drivers will have to turn left onto Jasper Boulevard when the come from Mount Pleasant.

“Coming onto the island it’s only going to allow you to make a right turn,” said Chad Cashwell, an Engineering Inspector for Charleston County. “Hopefully it’ll help improve it by forcing traffic to make a right onto Middle Street.”

According to the Town of Sullivan’s Island, the intersection had poor grades for safety and a fix for the issue has been in place for years.

Crews with Charleston County poured concrete and repainted asphalt over two days. Cashwell’s crew finished up on Thursday afternoon.

“I think it’s turned out really nice. I hope people can get in and off the island more efficiently and help improve traffic flow. A lot of the signage is already in place so it shouldn’t be a whole lot of change,” said Cashwell.

His establishment looks right out onto the intersection and the construction caught him by surprise.

“I think it was yesterday around 10 a.m. when I looked out and they were pouring concrete and all that,” said Mahr.

There are a few concerns about the new design for larger vehicles, especially trucks, that deliver food to the many restaurants along the business district.

“I do have a couple concerns as far as trucks making that corner now because they used to have to go wide right to get onto Middle Street. I don’t believe that they can make that corner anymore, but we’ll see,” said Mahr. “I promise you somebody is going to try to go left. It wouldn’t surprise me if somebody drives over that median.”

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SULLIVAN’S ISLAND, S.C. (WCBD) – The South Carolina Circuit Court has ruled to preserve the Sullivan’s Island Maritime Forest. This comes after the town’s previous council approved a settlement agreement that would allow development to take place where the forest currently sits.

The circuit court ruled in favor of the Town of Sullivan’s Island’s request to invalidate the settlement agreement that was agreed upon by the previous town council.

“I was thrilled,” Sullivan’s Island resident Cyndy Ewing said. “It’s a monumental ruling.”

Many Sullivan’s Island neighbors and elected officials are pleased with the ruling that will protect the island’s 200-acre maritime forest from development.

“The judge agreed that that agreement was not legal under state law,” Sullivan’s Island Mayor Patrick O’Neil said. “And one main issue there was that one sitting council for a municipality may not tie the hands of subsequent councils for a municipality.”

The ruling, which was handed down earlier this week, gives Sullivan’s Island Town Council complete authority over the forest.

“They can talk about how we can manage this land for the safety and enjoyment of all the residents,” Ewing said. “It’s thrilling.”

Ewing is thrilled because she says without the forest, the island would be nearly uninhabitable.

“It actually holds the land,” she said, “the plants out here, hold our land together. It also protects us from storm surge and hurricanes and flooding.”

In addition to keeping the island whole, and protecting residents from storms, O’Neil says the maritime forest is special for another reason.

“This is land which has been growing,” he said, “it’s been accreting. Whereas nearly every other barrier island along the East Coast is eroding. So, our island is getting bigger.”

Town residents say after years of dispute, they’re elated the court finally saw the forest for the trees.

“What we are looking forward to is being able to celebrate this incredible resource that we’ve been given instead of having to fight to protect it,” Ewing said.

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There are plenty of good reasons to make the trip to Charleston, South Carolina: Historic homes make for colorful photo ops, the restaurant scene is fresh and inventive, and locally owned stores and boutiques make for unparalleled shopping. Some of the Holy City's greatest assets, though, aren't actually within the city limits. Pack the sunscreen and load the car because the scenic beaches near Charleston are a gem. You won't find ultra-crowded beaches, just a quiet spot to relax and soak up the sunshine. The smooth sand, cool water, and near-perfect weather will make you think you've found pure bliss. Here, find our guide to the sun-drenched beaches that are just a quick drive from the Charleston Peninsula. They're worth the detour.

1. Kiawah Island

While the 23-mile drive from the peninsula out to Kiawah Island takes about 40 minutes on a good day, the pristine stretch of sand at Kiawah's public Beachwalker Park is well worth it. It's quiet, especially for a public park, fronts the ocean, and also offers views of the Kiawah River. Beach chair and umbrella rentals are available seasonally, and dogs are welcome, as long as they're on a leash. Explore Kiawah Island's private beaches by renting a house or villa on the island or booking a stay at the Sanctuary, the island's luxurious oceanfront hotel.

2. Folly Beach

Just 12 miles from downtown, the "Edge of America" is the grooviest of Charleston's nearby beaches. It's a popular hangout for surfers, who frequent "The Washout," a stretch of coast known for having the area's best waves. Center Street, the bohemian beach town's colorful main thoroughfare, is lined with surf and souvenir shops and good eats, like Taco Boy and Rita's Seaside Grille, and is just steps away from Folly's 1,045-foot fishing pier.

3. Isle of Palms

The oceanfront county park on this barrier island has picnic tables, a sand volleyball court, and a playground for the littlest beach bums, making it a great place to take the whole family. Venture a little farther down the beach, beyond the park, to discover a number of fun beachfront bars and eateries, like family-friendly Coconut Joe's Beach Grill and The Windjammer, a classic dive bar and music venue that's as salty as they come. Paddle the intercoastal waterway from Isle of Palms where you may encounter dolphins and get up close to coves and marshes.

4. Seabrook Island

Though the island's nearly 4 miles of unspoiled beaches are private to residents and rental guests only (book your stay here), Seabrook is still worth a stop if you're already making the trip out to Kiawah's Beachwalker Park, which is just a few miles away. An Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary, Seabrook is home to a variety of wildlife, including foxes, bobcats, deer, sea turtles, and bottlenose dolphins. Head to Bohicket Marina for a sunset stroll by the river, then plop down at an outdoor table at the Salty Dog Cafe for water views, East Coast peel-and-eat shrimp, and a cold beer or two.

5. Sullivan's Island

When it comes to old-school cottages, small town charm, and a spotless beach to boot, you won't find a dreamier destination than Sullivan's Island. While neighboring Isle of Palms has a lively resort feel, 3.3-square-mile Sullivan's tends to fly under the radar–and the locals like it that way. Be sure to stop by Poe's Tavern on Middle Street for a killer burger before you head back toward town. Flip-flops and salty hair are always welcome on the front porch.

6. Bulls Island

Accessible only by ferry, this barrier island is 45 minutes away from downtown Charleston and feels far away from the comforts of civilization. A good way to see the birds of this untouched island, and perhaps a playful dolphin if you're lucky, is on a guided paddling tour. Comb the beach for shells, walk Boneyard Beach where a forest is being recalled by the sea, or track foxes, bobcat, and deer.

7. Edisto Island

About 60 miles from Charleston, Edisto Beach's unspoiled coastline makes it worth the drive. Stay beachside for a dreamy vacation, or take a day trip from Charleston. One of four oceanfront state parks in South Carolina, palmetto-lined Edisto Beach State Park provides the picture-perfect backdrop for swimming, hunting for shells and sharks' teeth, fishing, or strolling. After a day on the island's trails, savor some seafood at the Waterfront Restaurant or the tacos at McConkey's Jungle Shack.

8. Morris Island

Hunt for shells and fossils near the candy cane–striped lighthouse on this uninhabited island just minutes from Charleston. Accessible only by boat, visitors can opt for several tour options, including riding out on a 55-foot power catamaran that's for the more adventurous traveler. For photography buffs, view the lighthouse from the shores of Folly Beach.

9. Pawleys Island

It takes a bit longer to reach from Charleston than some of the other beaches, but the slower pace on Pawleys Island is instantly soothing. This barrier island packs a lot into its four-mile stretch. Set off in a canoe or kayak to explore the salt marsh that separates this island from the mainland, or settle in for a day at the beach. There's shelling, fishing, and crabbing to be done. Sign up for surfing lessons—some of the best waves are near Pawleys Island Pier.

10. Capers Island

Similar to Bulls Island, Capers Island has its own forest of forgotten sea-bleached trees covering the shoreline. At low tide, you may see feeding dolphins and water birds like egrets and herons searching for a meal. Discover tide pools as you walk the beach, hike the island to see gators and deer in their natural habitat, or paddle along the shores and see jellyfish and crabs. Reach this undeveloped island by chartered boat, or take a kayak tour to learn about the area's ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Two Georgetown County destinations were named two of Southern Living’s 25 best fall beach spots for 2023.

Huntington Beach (ranked number 10) and Pawleys Island (number 18) were joined by fellow South Carolina destination Sullivan’s Island at number 23.

The magazine praised Huntington Beach’s annual Atalaya Arts and Crafts festival in September and Pawleys Island’s kayaking and oceanfront cottages.

Both of these places are located in what’s called the Hammock Coast, named after Pawleys Island Hammocks.

Mark Stevens, Director of Tourism Development for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce, said the area has beaches and history like neighboring Myrtle Beach and Charleston, while being “totally unique.”

With balmy temperatures continuing through the fall months, “the fall is one of the best times that you can be here on the Hammock Coast,” Stevens said.

Southern Living had this to say about Sullivan’s Island.

“This tranquil South Carolina getaway is located on a two and a half-mile long barrier island near the mouth of Charleston Harbor. It’s quiet and charming with a few restaurants you just can’t miss. Edgar Allan Poe was stationed at the fort there—make a stop at Poe’s Tavern and pay homage to the Gothic novelist.”

In March, Southern Living named Huntington Beach State Park the 2023 best state park in South Carolina.

SULLIVAN'S ISLAND, S.C. (WCIV) — Sullivan's Island's maritime forest is an area of dune grasses, flowers and shrubs filled with a number of animals, and it's been protected for several decades by town leaders.

However, that protection – and town leaders' ability to govern those protections – was placed into jeopardy when previous town councilmembers entered into an agreement in 2020 to allow for selective trimming of the forest.

On Thursday, Sullivan’s Island For All announced that a circuit court judge had sided with the Town of Sullivan's Island in a legal dispute over whether or not current town councilmembers could overrule the previous council's agreement.

Previous Coverage: Town of Sullivan's Island pursuing new leads in illegal cutting of Maritime Forest

In other words, the Town of Sullivan's Island is no longer obligated to allow the selective trimming of the maritime forest and can reintroduce protective guidelines, if members of the council so choose.

“This ruling is a validation of everything Sullivan’s Island for All has fought for since this unlawful agreement was passed in a hastily called Zoom meeting by a former Town Council at the height of the pandemic,” said Sullivan’s Island for All President Karen Byko. “Anyone who read the settlement could immediately see that it was a one-sided attempt to destroy the forest that protects all of us from storm surge and hurricanes, so a few islanders could have better ocean views.”

In late 2021, members of the council hired an attorney to see if they had any options to overturn the settlement. The attorney, like the circuit court judge, said he believed the settlement to be "invalid and unenforceable."

"We are hopeful that the parties who have sued the Town for more than a decade will finally put this issue to bed and join with us to preserve the Maritime Forest for the benefit and enjoyment of all,” Byko said.

A copy of the full court order can be viewed in the embedded document below or by clicking here.