If you are attached to your pets, don’t worry. We get it - and we are, too.
The Isle of Palms is quite a pet friendly place. As a perfect example, check this out…
It’s – a Free Library for Dogs!
The IOP has numerous Little Free Libraries all around the island, which are a great source for free beach reading. You can find some of them here.
Well, some super cool Isle of Palms residents have created an official IOP Dog Stick Library - complete with a choice of really great sticks in various sizes, as well as tennis balls and free dog treats. Resident pups Capers and Dewees (named after IOP’s neighboring barrier islands) are happy for you to come by any time, say woof and grab a stick or ball to take with you.
To add to the fun, I won’t reveal its exact address… so you can make a scavenger hunt out of finding it. Here’s a hint – if you’re at the Marina, you’re pretty warm. And if you’re “Marginal,” you’re hot on the “Trail.”
The Beach = Doggie Heaven
The beach is one of the most fun places on the earth for a dog and their owners to be. And the Isle of Palms is generally seen as THE most pet-friendly of all of Charleston’s islands.
Unlike Sullivan’s Island, visitors don’t need a special dog license to visit IOP’s beach. Just make sure your pup is up to date on their rabies vaccine and has a current rabies tag.
The IOP also has off-leash hours every day, which vary according to the season:
September 15th – March 31st… off-leash hours are 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 a.m.
From April 1st – September 14th … off-leash hours are 5:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
You must have your dog under voice control and have leash in hand during off-leash hours. The rest of the time, dogs must be on a leash.
Please pick up after your dog and dispose of it in the trash receptacles located at beach access paths.
The IOP Bark Park
The Isle of Palms has its very own, very popular off-leash fenced-in Bark Park, situated near the middle of the island on 29th Avenue, just behind the Rec Center. It’s a great place to socialize your dog with the locals.
It has separate areas for large and small dogs, plenty of free parking, and is open from sunrise to sunset. Check out a list of park guidelines here.
Islander 71
This hopping spot at the IOP Marina is a perfect place to grab a brew (or a Bordeaux) and a bite, listen to some live music, and watch the sun set over the Intracoastal Waterway - and bring your dog with you. Pups are welcome at the outside music area and bar, many outdoor tables, porches and decks.
Islander 71 is located at 80 41st Avenue and is open Wednesday through Sunday. Read more about it here.
And yes, Exclusive Properties is pet-friendly!
In fact, sixteen of our Isle of Palms vacation rentals are available for you to bring along your four-footed best friend(s). They’re either oceanfront or a short walking distance to the beach, so you can get your paws sandy, ASAP.
Our pet friendly Charleston beach rentals range in size from four to eleven bedrooms.
They include these beautiful homes:
Port of Call – 3400 Palm Boulevard (11 bedrooms/11.5 baths/28 guests);
Belle Mer – 3908 Palm Boulevard (10 bedrooms/10.5 baths/28 guests);
Treehouse on the Ocean – 3206 Palm Boulevard (7 bedrooms/6.5 baths/12 guests);
Beachfront Sanctuary – 3900 Palm Boulevard (5 bedrooms/6 baths/12 guests);
Barbados – 3302 Palm Boulevard (7 bedrooms/7 baths/17 guests);
Dolphin View – 202 Palm Boulevard (5 bedrooms/5.5 baths/12 guests);
Coastal Dreams – 4202 Palm Boulevard (7 bedrooms/7 baths/12 guests);
Lime Tree Cabana – 4002 Cameron Boulevard (4 bedrooms/4 baths/10 guests);
Villa del Mare – 7 53rd Avenue (8 bedrooms/6.5 baths/20 guests);
Isle be Back – 5 57th Avenue (6 bedrooms/5.5 baths/16 guests);
Sunrise Manor – 601 Ocean Boulevard (5 bedrooms/5.5 baths/14 guests);
Beach Daze – 1004 Carolina Boulevard (8 bedrooms/7 baths/18 guests);
Sunsational – 620 Ocean Boulevard (7 bedrooms/9 baths/12 guests);
Charleston’s Genesis – 124 Charleston Boulevard (6 bedrooms/5.5 baths/12 guests);
Pavilion a la Plage – 4 10th Avenue (7 bedrooms/5.5 baths/16 guests);
- Dolphin Manor – 512 Ocean Boulevard (6 bedrooms/6.5 baths/12 guests).
Just give us a call at EP, and we’ll help work out the details for your WHOLE family to vacation together here on the Isle of Palms, aka pet paradise.
All best,
Lowcountry Lisa
your Isle of Palms vacation blogger