Visiting the Isle of Palms usually involves arriving in a vehicle, which involves knowing where to park it. That can be a bit confusing, especially if you’re new to the area and just getting the lay of the land (or island, in this case).
Here are some of basics to help orient you RE: beach parking on the IOP.
If you’re renting one of our Isle of Palms vacation homes…
If you’re staying in one of the more than three dozen beach homes in Exclusive Properties’ portfolio, you’re in luck. There are parking spaces included on the property. (Word to the wise: if you’re staying in an oceanfront home, you don’t even need to find separate beach parking. Just head out the back door - you’re there!).
The number of available spaces allowed at each house is set by the City of Isle of Palms, as part of their short term rental policies and licensing.
Here’s their regulation: “The maximum number of vehicles that may be located at a residence between the hours of 11:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. shall be limited to the greater of one vehicle per bedroom or one vehicle for every 2.5 people allowed under the maximum overnight occupancy. In no instance shall the number of vehicles allowed be less than two.”
Our beach homes range widely in the number of bedrooms and guests allowed. If you have any question about the number of cars allowed at your particular home, just contact us and we’ll be glad to help.
Beach access on the IOP
The Isle of Palms has seven miles of wide, sandy beach facing the Atlantic Ocean, and all of it is open to the public. There are 57 beach access paths on the island. They vary in nature from simple foot paths through the sand to ones with boardwalks or wide prepped surfaces for easy access.
No public motorized vehicles – including golf carts - are allowed on the beach or access paths. The only ones you’ll see on occasion are official emergency vehicles.
Free Isle of Palms beach parking
There’s a good bit of free parking available on the IOP, if you know where to look. The main area is in the public rights-of-way along Palm Boulevard, between 21st Avenue and 40th Avenue, on either side of the road. It’s quite convenient to many of the main beach access paths.
Some important tips: If you’re parking on the ocean side of Palm Boulevard, make sure your wheels are at least 4 feet off the pavement. They will issue tickets if you’re closer than that. Be sure to park in the direction of traffic, and don’t block beach access paths, driveways or mailboxes. If you’re parking on the land side of Palm Boulevard, just pull all the way into the marked angled spots.
Here’s where you can find free Isle of Palms beach parking:
3rd Avenue between Ocean Boulevard and Charleston Boulevard
East side of 4th Avenue between Ocean Boulevard and Charleston Boulevard
5th Avenue, between Ocean Boulevard and Carolina Boulevard
6th Avenue, between Ocean Boulevard and Carolina Boulevard
7th Avenue between Ocean Boulevard and Carolina Boulevard
East side of 8th Avenue, between Ocean Boulevard and Carolina Boulevard
East side of 9th Avenue, between Ocean Boulevard and Carolina Boulevard
Palm Boulevard between 21st Avenue and 40th Avenue
Palm Boulevard between 42nd Avenue and 57th Avenue.
NOTE: there’s free designated parking for golf carts in three locations: 9th Avenue & Ocean Boulevard; 28th Avenue & Palm Boulevard; and 31st Avenue & Palm Boulevard.
Paid Isle of Palms beach parking
As far as paid parking, most of that is centered around Front Beach and the commercial “downtown” of the Isle of Palms – basically, on Ocean Boulevard between 10th and 14th Avenues. Paid parking is in effect from March 1st – October 31st, from 8:00 a.m. till 8:00 p.m.
There’s plenty of on-street parking in that area. You pay by the hour, $2.50 per hour. There are metered spaces with kiosks, but the City recently switched to using the FlowBird parking app for payment.
The City also operates two Municipal Parking Lots on adjacent Pavilion Drive. The daily rate is $10 on Monday through Friday, and $15 on Saturday, Sunday and holidays. After 4:00 p.m., the rate is $2.00 per hour.
The Isle of Palms County Park, located at the end of 14th Avenue, is another option for paid parking, with its 445 spots steps from the ocean. Parking rates vary depending on the time of year, from $5 in January/February to $25 on peak summer weekends. Check their website for schedule, rates and amenities, including lifeguards, showers and rentals.
Plus, a special holiday freebie…
If you’re staying here in one of our Isle of Palms luxury rentals, chances are you’ll venture onto the historic downtown peninsula of Charleston. Parking can be notoriously challenging there.
Thankfully, the City of Charleston offers special parking vouchers during the holiday season - good for two hours of free parking in some of their downtown parking garages, conveniently located around the city. Garages include 34 Saint Philip Street, The Visitor Center (63 Mary Street), Majestic Square (211 King Street) and 93 Queen Street.
Charleston’s free parking vouchers are good through the end of the year and can be accessed here.
Hope this Isle of Palms Beach Parking Guide takes a little stress out of the parking process, so you can get straight to the fun.
All best,
Lowcountry Lisa
your Isle of Palms vacation blogger