COMMUNITY

Wild Dunes Beach

The Wild Dunes Community boasts almost two and one-half miles of Atlantic Ocean beachfront and one mile of inlet shoreline along Dewees Inlet. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control – Office of Coastal Resource Management (OCRM) classifies the northeastern end of the Isle of Palms beach as an unstabilized inlet zone, which means Dewees Inlet has not been stabilized by jetties, terminal groins or other structures, and the downdrift beaches are significantly influenced by inlet migration, changes to the ebb tidal delta and the effects of shoal by-passing and attachment.

Rules of the Beach

Please help us maintain our beach by adhering to the following simple beach guidelines:

  • Use designated beach paths when accessing the beach (no golf carts are allowed on the paths).
  • The beach is a seasonal nesting ground for Loggerhead turtles. Please do not disturb the eggs in the nests or the hatchlings as they return to the ocean. Light fixtures facing the ocean should be turned off during turtle nesting season (May – October).
  • Ocean tides can be fast and tricky. Do not get stranded on a sandbar during an incoming tide and watch the currents on an outgoing tide.

The following City of Isle of Palms ordinances are strictly enforced:

  • No alcohol on the beach.
  • No excessive noise.
  • No fireworks.
  • No fires on the beach.
  • No soliciting.
  • No littering – trash receptacles are provided at all beach access paths.

Dunes & Sea Oats

  • Please stay off the sand dunes as they are the first natural defense against coastal storms.
  • Please do not disturb the sand fences and sea grasses as these facilitate natural dune formation.
  • And please remember it is illegal to pick, disturb or destroy sea oats.

Beach Hours for Dogs

  • Dogs may be OFF their leashes from 5 am – 9 am, April 1st through September 14th.
  • Dogs may be OFF their leashes from 4 pm – 10 am, September 15th through March 31st.
  • Dog owners must have the leash in hand, have their dog under voice command and must clean up excrement.
  • At all other times, dogs must be on leash and under complete control, even in the water.

For more information, please visit www.iop.net.