Luxury Custom Homes in Isle of Palms, SC

ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCIV) — A new study is raising concerns among Isle of Palms residents that a multimillion-dollar beach renourishment project could wash away within the next three years, sparking debate over whether the work is a smart use of taxpayer dollars as the city looks at other options to address erosion.

The project involves pumping hundreds of thousands of metric yards of sand onto the beach, a process that began in late July. The goal is to build dunes intended to help protect homes on the island from storms.

Some waterfront residents say they are frustrated by the prospect that the sand could disappear again.

“It’s not a smart use of tax money. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again,” Isle of Palms resident Rom Reddy said.

Reddy said he supports the idea of maintaining a public beach but questioned whether the current approach will last.

READ MORE | Isle of Palms beach renourishment advances to Reach 2 after Reach 1 wraps early

“And I think putting sand on a beach to keep a public beach is smart, but only if you know the sand’s gonna stay on the beach,” Reddy said. “Now, if you did this once before, it all washed away. Why would you do it again?”

Reddy, who has lived on the island’s beach for years, said he has watched sand disappear in front of his home and believes a different strategy would be more effective.

“So the smart thing to do is to put a groin in here that holds the sand in place and then put sand on the beach,” he said.

The Isle of Palms study outlines multiple alternatives aimed at keeping the island’s beaches from further erosion, including pulling sand from surrounding areas or allowing the beaches to run their course.

“We gotta be smart with taxpayer money. Taxpayers want us to be smart,” Reddy said. “And I think putting sand on a beach to keep a public beach is smart, but only if you know the sand’s gonna stay on the beach.”

Isle of Palms City Council will meet Tuesday evening, when the study is scheduled to be presented and council members will be able to decide their next course of action.

There’s so much more to the Charleston area than the much-hyped downtown offerings on King Street. If you’re visiting the region, it’s certainly also worth exploring adjoining cities such as Mount Pleasant, Sullivan’s Island, and the Isle of Palms, too, where there are plenty of hidden gems to enjoy.

One spot in particular that’s worth a visit? Wild Dunes Resort in Isle of Palms, located about 45 minutes away from downtown Charleston. The resort is comprised of two hotel-like properties, the Sweetgrass Inn and Boardwalk Inn, and it’s also home to larger residences and vacation rentals for families. With plenty of restaurants and activities to experience, the resort is essentially a mini town of its own—once you check in for your stay, you’ll never have to (or want to!) leave. Below is an overview of the activities that you’ll want to add to your Wild Dunes agenda.

Get Some Pampering

Wild Dunes features both a spa (which happens to boast an incredible gift shop, if you feel like treating yourself further) as well as a salon, so you can really go all in on the pampering experience during your stay at the resort. The Spa at Sweetgrass is where you’ll want to go for that much-needed massage, facial, or wellness experience (there are plenty of offerings for everyone, whether you’re craving a classic treatment or something a bit more avant-garde, like sound therapy). The nail salon offers manicures and pedicures for kids and adults alike (there’s no reason not to include your little one in the pampering fun!). Both the spa and salon are guaranteed to feel extra calming after you’ve spent a long day poolside in the sun.

Eat Well

Wild Dunes offers no shortage of eateries on property. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic beachside burger or basket of chicken tenders or are craving pizza, oysters, or even a grab-and-go meal, there’s an onsite option for every occasion. (And if you prefer indulging in room service, that’s totally fine, too.) Just be sure to arrive to the resort with some kind of sweet tooth. The Sweet Shoppe offers ice cream, milkshakes, and all kinds of candy if you’re looking for an indulgent treat to enjoy as you cool off.

Soak Up The Sun

There’s nothing better than spending a sunny day reading, chatting, and sipping on cool beverages by the pool, and Wild Dunes makes it easy to do exactly that—the resort offers five different pools in total. Pop by the adults-only pool, splash around with the family at the Sweetgrass Pool Complex or one of the Grand Pavilion Pools, or set up camp on the beach. The resort offers easy beach chair and umbrella rentals; and it’s recommended to secure these in advance of your stay. For an even more luxe beach day, the Front Row experience places you under a shaded awning right beside the water.

Get Active

While many people enjoy spending their precious vacation time doing as little as possible, others do better when staying active—and if you fall into this latter camp, don’t worry, Wild Dunes has plenty to offer for those who enjoy being on the go. The resort makes it easy to explore local surroundings via a water excursion or barrier island eco tour. If a self-guided experience is more your speed, consider renting a bike to explore the Isle of Palms on your own. Sporty visitors will be all for a game of tennis or pickleball onsite, while avid golfers will be amazed by the property’s two beautiful courses.