Station 18 1/2 (TRI-059)

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