Station 18 1/2 (TRI-059)

Sullivan's Island, South Carolina
Managed by Charleston Waterkeeper

Photo by Carly Hill

Station 18 ½ has the best view of the famous Sullivan’s Island lighthouse on the island! Due to its proximity to the center of the island, it is slightly more busy than other spots along the beach. Street parking is available, and dog waste bags are located at the entrance to the access point. Station 18 ½ is ADA accessible with ramps leading all the way up to the beach. With great views of the lighthouse and James Island, Station 18 ½ is a wonderful place to go visit the beach!

Sullivan’s Island is a two and a half-mile long barrier island east of the Charleston Harbor. Settled by Captain Florence O’Sullivan in the late 17th century, Sullivan’s Island is historic as the site of Fort Moultrie in the Battle of Sullivan’s Island during the Revolutionary War and a main entry point for 40-50% of all the enslaved Africans brought to Colonial America. Fort Moultrie is now a National Park and museum if you wish to learn more about its military history or the part Sullivan’s Island played in the Atlantic slave trade. Today, the island is home to 2,000 residents and is known for having a relaxed residential environment with no beachfront commercial development. With a plethora of restaurants and stores, including Poe’s Tavern, a tribute to Edgar Allan Poe who was stationed at Fort Moultrie for thirteen months, and historical landmarks, there is plenty to explore! If you visit the beach, do not litter, smoke, consume alcohol/drugs, bring single-use plastics, glass containers, or polystyrene, or disturb sea turtle nests or sand dunes. Beaches are open until 11PM and all dogs must have a license from the Town Hall to be on the beach. Street parking is available (all four tires must be off the road!), and public parking is available in front of Battery Thompson and behind Town Hall during non-business hours. Sullivan’s Island is a great place to go if you’re looking for a relaxing day at the beach or are looking to learn a little bit more about Charleston’s history!

For more information on Sullivan’s Island’s history, visit: https://charleston.com/charleston-insider/history/a-brief-history-of-sullivan-s-island-sc

For more information on regulations for Sullivan’s Island, visit: https://sullivansisland.sc.gov

Get directions to this beach
COVID-19

Keep your distance from other people.

Practicing social distancing is still essential. Only go to the beach if you are able to keep 6 feet or 2 meters away from others. Follow the instructions provided by your local health authorities. If your community has asked that you remain indoors and away from others, do so. Spending a day in any crowded place is the worst thing we can do for our most vulnerable right now and will counter our efforts to curb the virus’s spread.

Water Quality
  • Passed water quality tests 60-95% of the time

  • Historical Status
  • This status is based on the latest sample, taken on September 27th, 2021. Charleston Waterkeeper updates the status of this beach as soon as test results become available. These results were posted to Swim Guide on October 1st, 2021 at 11:09 AM.
For water quality icon legend, click:  
Current Weather
25°C
Mostly clear
  • Report Pollution
Monitoring Frequency

Station 18 1/2 (TRI-059) is sampled bi-weekly from May 1st to October 1st.

Source Information

Through its Beach Monitoring Program, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) monitors the level of enterococcus bacteria at 122 sites along South Carolina’s coast. Testing is conducted during the beach season from May 15th to October 15th. Monitoring levels of enterococcus bacteria is the best way to determine whether disease-causing pathogens may be present in ocean water.

DHEC monitors 27 sites at our local beaches (Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, Folly Beach, Kiawah, and Seabrook). Monitoring sites are located near public access points to ensure the public’s safety. DHEC monitors our local beaches twice a month. When sample results are published on the Program’s website, Charleston Waterkeeper updates Swim Guide.

A “Green” site = test result of 103 MPN/100 mL or lower OR a test result between 104 and 500 MPN/100 mL followed by a test result the next day of LESS than 104 MPN/100 mL

A “Red” site = a test result of 500 MPN/100 mL or higher OR a test result between 104 and 500 MPN/100 mL followed by a test result the next day of 104 MPN/100 mL or GREATER

A “Gray” site = no test result

Read more
Water Quality Graph

Station 18 1/2 (TRI-059)

Sullivan's Island, South Carolina
Managed by Charleston Waterkeeper
COVID-19

Keep your distance from other people.

Practicing social distancing is still essential. Only go to the beach if you are able to keep 6 feet or 2 meters away from others. Follow the instructions provided by your local health authorities. If your community has asked that you remain indoors and away from others, do so. Spending a day in any crowded place is the worst thing we can do for our most vulnerable right now and will counter our efforts to curb the virus’s spread.

Water Quality
  • Passed water quality tests 60-95% of the time
  • Historical Status
  • This status is based on the latest sample, taken on September 27th, 2021. Charleston Waterkeeper updates the status of this beach as soon as test results become available. These results were posted to Swim Guide on October 1st, 2021 at 11:09 AM.
For water quality icon legend, click:  
Current Weather
25°C
Mostly clear

Photo by Carly Hill

Station 18 ½ has the best view of the famous Sullivan’s Island lighthouse on the island! Due to its proximity to the center of the island, it is slightly more busy than other spots along the beach. Street parking is available, and dog waste bags are located at the entrance to the access point. Station 18 ½ is ADA accessible with ramps leading all the way up to the beach. With great views of the lighthouse and James Island, Station 18 ½ is a wonderful place to go visit the beach!

Sullivan’s Island is a two and a half-mile long barrier island east of the Charleston Harbor. Settled by Captain Florence O’Sullivan in the late 17th century, Sullivan’s Island is historic as the site of Fort Moultrie in the Battle of Sullivan’s Island during the Revolutionary War and a main entry point for 40-50% of all the enslaved Africans brought to Colonial America. Fort Moultrie is now a National Park and museum if you wish to learn more about its military history or the part Sullivan’s Island played in the Atlantic slave trade. Today, the island is home to 2,000 residents and is known for having a relaxed residential environment with no beachfront commercial development. With a plethora of restaurants and stores, including Poe’s Tavern, a tribute to Edgar Allan Poe who was stationed at Fort Moultrie for thirteen months, and historical landmarks, there is plenty to explore! If you visit the beach, do not litter, smoke, consume alcohol/drugs, bring single-use plastics, glass containers, or polystyrene, or disturb sea turtle nests or sand dunes. Beaches are open until 11PM and all dogs must have a license from the Town Hall to be on the beach. Street parking is available (all four tires must be off the road!), and public parking is available in front of Battery Thompson and behind Town Hall during non-business hours. Sullivan’s Island is a great place to go if you’re looking for a relaxing day at the beach or are looking to learn a little bit more about Charleston’s history!

For more information on Sullivan’s Island’s history, visit: https://charleston.com/charleston-insider/history/a-brief-history-of-sullivan-s-island-sc

For more information on regulations for Sullivan’s Island, visit: https://sullivansisland.sc.gov

Get directions to this beach
  • Report Pollution
Monitoring Frequency

Station 18 1/2 (TRI-059) is sampled bi-weekly from May 1st to October 1st.

Source Information

Through its Beach Monitoring Program, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) monitors the level of enterococcus bacteria at 122 sites along South Carolina’s coast. Testing is conducted during the beach season from May 15th to October 15th. Monitoring levels of enterococcus bacteria is the best way to determine whether disease-causing pathogens may be present in ocean water.

DHEC monitors 27 sites at our local beaches (Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, Folly Beach, Kiawah, and Seabrook). Monitoring sites are located near public access points to ensure the public’s safety. DHEC monitors our local beaches twice a month. When sample results are published on the Program’s website, Charleston Waterkeeper updates Swim Guide.

A “Green” site = test result of 103 MPN/100 mL or lower OR a test result between 104 and 500 MPN/100 mL followed by a test result the next day of LESS than 104 MPN/100 mL

A “Red” site = a test result of 500 MPN/100 mL or higher OR a test result between 104 and 500 MPN/100 mL followed by a test result the next day of 104 MPN/100 mL or GREATER

A “Gray” site = no test result

Read more
Water Quality Graph

  Beach Location Water Quality
Sullivan's Island, South Carolina
Sullivan's Island, South Carolina
Isle of Palms, South Carolina
Sullivan's Island, South Carolina
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