Home Care In Isle of Palms, SC

ISLE OF PALMS — City officials are rethinking some recent changes to parking rules as it heads into the first beach season with higher prices, namely the elimination of a seasonal parking pass that was popular with beachgoers of neighboring communities.

But the decision to ditch the seasonal permit has been largely unpopular with off-island residents, prompting the city's public safety committee to reconsider the change on April 9, so the pass may not be gone for good.

The Isle of Palms, up until this summer, set aside 500 seasonal beach parking passes that could be purchased for $60. Passholders had access to the two parking lots on Pavilion Drive, bypassing the $10-$15 a day charge in the summer months.

However, City Council voted earlier this year to change the city's parking rules and rates for the first time since 2020, which effectively eliminated the seasonal pass. Other notable changes included adding higher daily fees for the parking lot— up to $25 on weekends and holidays — and raising the hourly fee to $3 for on-street parking, a 50-cent bump.

Jean Legacki, who lives just over the Isle of Palms connector in Mount Pleasant, has purchased the seasonal parking pass for several years. She likes to get up early, head over the connector, and walk on the beach before both the heat and the crowds set in.

This summer will be different for Legacki.

Along with raising parking fees, the city opted to eliminate the seasonal $60 pass for non-residents based on a recommendation by PCI Municipal, the city's parking management vendor. The $60 passes were set aside for island employees to use.

In its place, a weekly pass for the same lots is available for $100.

The loss of seasonal passes and the increased price left some with sticker shock.

"I'm not going to pay $100 a week to park," Legacki said. "It's almost like they're trying to deter people from coming to the beach."

Also gone is the option to pay an hourly rate after 4 p.m. in the lots. Visitors coming to the island for a dinner reservation or an evening stroll on the beach could park at the lots on Pavilion Drive and pay $2.50 per hour after 4 p.m.

Parking is free between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. and in the offseason, November through February.

For now, visitors will pay the flat rate regardless of the time of day.

Daily rates are $10 for March and April. During peak season, Memorial Day through Labor Day, rates are $15 on weekdays and $25 on weekends and holidays. After Labor Day, rates drop back to $10 for the rest of September and October.

But that could be subject to change in the coming months.

The public safety committee on April 9 considered reviving both the seasonal parking permit and evening hourly parking rates, though both are still likely to be more expensive in their new iterations.

"We'd be looking at a significantly higher number, I would think, for the lots that we have here at Front Beach," Councilman Rusty Streetman said.

Committee members estimated that the updated seasonal pass would be between $200-$250 and $3 per hour for evening parking.

They also noted Charleston County offers a seasonal pass for parking in the Isle of Palms County Park on 14th Avenue.

"I think we're doing this to benefit our business people in the late afternoon and evening. We want to encourage people to come to Front Beach at that time," Councilwoman Jan Anderson said.

The full city council is expected to discuss bringing back the seasonal passes at next month's workshop in May.

Set in the marshes between Mount Pleasant and Isle of Palms, Little Goat Island is a small undeveloped patch of land. Countless visitors to the popular IOP tourism town pass right over the island each summer as they fight the crowds on the connector bridge on their way to the beach.

Sandwiched between two heavily populated communities, Little Goat Island is one of the last undeveloped sea islands in the Lowcountry and a "time capsule" that still looks much as it did a century ago, according to the Lowcountry Land Trust. Now it's permanently protected from any future development thanks to a donated conservation easement, the nonprofit announced March 31.

“Undeveloped islands like this are increasingly rare,” Natalie Olson, the sea islands program director at Lowcountry Land Trust, wrote in a press release announcing the acquisition. "By preserving this land, we are ensuring that both wildlife and future generations can experience its natural beauty. This conservation effort also helps protect the delicate coastal ecosystem and support biodiversity and climate resilience.”

Little Goat Island is 28 acres of upland habitat surrounded by nearly 400 acres of salt marshes, according to the Land Trust. As a relatively undisturbed salt marsh habitat, the island provides critical refuge for Lowcountry oysters, birds, aquatic species and native plants. No goats graze on Little Goat Island.

"We're so excited to be able to preserve Little Goat Island in perpetuity,” Kim Chesson, who owns the island with her husband, wrote in a statement. “My parents lived across from this island for over 20 years, and now we have a house that overlooks it. We love that it will stay undeveloped for our family and for our Isle of Palms neighbors to enjoy!"

The donation of the Little Goat Island conservation easement expands a growing corridor of conserved land along Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms, according to the Land Trust. That includes Gold Bug Island, Sullivan's Island Beach and parts of Goat Island — a separate piece of land northeast of Little Goat Island.

The clear float of a Man-o-war jellyfish rests on the sand after it was left stranded high and dry by the high tide. (Photo: National Park Service/Nathaniel Pinson)

LOWCOUNTRY, S.C. (WCIV) — If you've been for a stroll along some Lowcountry beaches in recent weeks, you may have come across a few jellyfish washed up on shore. Most of the jellyfish you see in South Carolina are harmless, but some should be left alone.

Officials with the Lowcountry's local beach communities want locals and visitors alike to know what to look out for when heading out into the ocean.

The Charleston area starts to see a larger amount of Cannonball jellyfish in the spring, which are the most common jelly in South Carolina -and least venomous.

“Cannonballs are largely harmless to humans and they're a favorite food of leatherback sea turtles," Erin Weeks with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources explained. "Typically, when cannonballs appear, we know leatherbacks are not far behind. Like other jellies, cannonballs are poor swimmers that follow where ocean currents push them; thus, they often wash ashore, especially after offshore storms.”

READ MORE | "South Carolina Aquarium brings Octonauts to life in educational family event"

Jellyfish glide through the currents and end up washing up on shore. Some are more notorious than others.

Portuguese man o’ wars look like jellyfish, but they are actually just a relative, are bit more complex, and can be more harmful.

“Portuguese man o' wars are less frequently seen in the warmer months but merit greater caution," Weeks said. "These animals are easily distinguished by a bright blue, inflated 'float' that rests on the surface of the water, and they should be avoided both on the beach and in the water. Man o' wars can trail long tentacles that cause a very painful sting.”

Man o' wars tend to drift through the Gulf Stream up to the waters off the coast of the Palmetto State.

To prevent getting stung, avoid touching washed up Man o’ wars, as they are still venomous. If you are stung seek medical help immediately.

For more information on jellyfish from the SCDNR, click here.

Officials said reporting sightings of jellyfish help prevent stings. To report a jellyfish sighting contact the Folly Beach Fire Department at 843-588-2433 on Folly Beach, the Sullivan's Island Fire Department at 843-883-9944 on Sullivan's Island, or the Isle of Palms Fire Department at 843-886-4410 on Isle of Palms.

Many of those visiting Charleston know that downtown is a hot spot for restaurants, but where should folks visiting one of the local beaches eat? From barbecue to noodle bowls, these island eateries can offer a wealth of choices for the hungry wave jumper or sunbather.

New to the map: Acme Lowcountry Kitchen. Restaurants are listed geographically, from west to east.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Before a day at Folly Beach, frequent visitors know to hit up Lost Dog for brunch. The cafe has something for everyone on the menu, from huevos rancheros to fresh fruit parfaits. Relax with a mimosa before hitting the waves and sand.

Full of surfers and deal-seekers, Folly Beach stop Jack of Cups offers filling curry mac ‘n cheese, dahl, and Thai meatballs. The menu is a mash-up of different cuisines from across the globe, including nods to the South, which is always good while sipping a few craft beers.

Self-proclaimed “chill ass bar,” Lowlife offers expertly crafted cocktails, queso, local shrimp rolls, double cheeseburgers, and more in a hip and lively beach space. Lowlife also serves brunch every day of the week, so it’s like a vacation within a vacation.

A visit to Taco Boy is all about the experience. The interiors are lively and full of fun details. It offers a long list of tacos with unexpected fillings, like the Korean beef tacos stuffed with kimchi and grilled flank steak or the sauteed shrimp tacos come with ancho chile yogurt sauce and cabbage. On a nice day, enjoy the patio with a few friends and a frozen screwdriver to go with the other selections.

Spanish for "the ugly boy," Chico Feo makes for a super chill stop after a day on the beach. The eatery feels like visiting a friend’s backyard. The menu is a mix-up of warm weather favorites from across the globe, like Cuban beans and rice, bun cha, and plenty of tacos.

Bert’s Market isn’t a restaurant, but it is an icon on Folly Beach. The 24-hour corner store is well known as stop for made-to-order sandwiches and just about everything else you need for a day at the beach. Bert’s puts it best: “Patronized by freaks, surfers, skaters, crunks, retirees, tourists, stoners, day trippers, hippies, hipsters, and regular folk, Bert’s is the rockingest grocery in town.”

Dining at Sullivan’s Fish Camp is like stepping onto a sailboat out of the 1970s. The retro-chic restaurant is one of the stylish on the island. Recently, former Lowland chef Jason Stanhope took over the kitchen to overhaul the menu. He’s planning a slow transition to get back to the roots of a Lowcountry fish camp. Current offerings include lobster roll sliders, local crudo, shrimp fried rice, and more.

Diners can eat pizza, pasta, and fresh seafood just a few steps from the ocean. From the skilled hands of executive chef Jacques Larson, the Obstinate Daughter offers a stunning dining room to spend visit for lunch, brunch, or dinner. Visitors should order a craft cocktail, a few oysters, and try the ricotta gnocchi with short rib ragu at least once.

Home Team BBQ on Sullivan's Island is always packed with friends and families ordering pulled pork plates and catching a game on the televisions. The smoked wings with Alabama white sauce are addictive, as are the frozen boozy Gamechanger cocktails.

Cozy bistro High Thyme offers a more upscale experience than most beach-goers expect. Guests visit this Middle Street restaurant for celebratory dinners and Sunday morning brunches. Find dishes like mussels in a coconut chili broth, cioppino, three-meat bolognese lasagna, lamb meatballs, and more comforting dishes.

Using only sustainable seafood, Acme Lowcountry Kitchen offers a taste of the East Coast. Where the kitchen really shines is the extensive shrimp and grits offerings — choose from plates like jerk shrimp with peaches and cream grits and pineapple salsa or more traditional sauteed shrimp, with tasso ham, peppers, onions, and red eye gravy.

Contemporary Italian eatery Coda del Pesce sits right on the beach at Isle of Palms. Customers can watch the ocean while ordering from chef Ken Vedrinski’s seafood-filled menu. Make reservations early for dishes like the snowy grouper with peanut potatoes, grapes, and Castelvetrano olives.

Before a day at Folly Beach, frequent visitors know to hit up Lost Dog for brunch. The cafe has something for everyone on the menu, from huevos rancheros to fresh fruit parfaits. Relax with a mimosa before hitting the waves and sand.

Full of surfers and deal-seekers, Folly Beach stop Jack of Cups offers filling curry mac ‘n cheese, dahl, and Thai meatballs. The menu is a mash-up of different cuisines from across the globe, including nods to the South, which is always good while sipping a few craft beers.

Self-proclaimed “chill ass bar,” Lowlife offers expertly crafted cocktails, queso, local shrimp rolls, double cheeseburgers, and more in a hip and lively beach space. Lowlife also serves brunch every day of the week, so it’s like a vacation within a vacation.

A visit to Taco Boy is all about the experience. The interiors are lively and full of fun details. It offers a long list of tacos with unexpected fillings, like the Korean beef tacos stuffed with kimchi and grilled flank steak or the sauteed shrimp tacos come with ancho chile yogurt sauce and cabbage. On a nice day, enjoy the patio with a few friends and a frozen screwdriver to go with the other selections.

Spanish for "the ugly boy," Chico Feo makes for a super chill stop after a day on the beach. The eatery feels like visiting a friend’s backyard. The menu is a mix-up of warm weather favorites from across the globe, like Cuban beans and rice, bun cha, and plenty of tacos.

Bert’s Market isn’t a restaurant, but it is an icon on Folly Beach. The 24-hour corner store is well known as stop for made-to-order sandwiches and just about everything else you need for a day at the beach. Bert’s puts it best: “Patronized by freaks, surfers, skaters, crunks, retirees, tourists, stoners, day trippers, hippies, hipsters, and regular folk, Bert’s is the rockingest grocery in town.”

Dining at Sullivan’s Fish Camp is like stepping onto a sailboat out of the 1970s. The retro-chic restaurant is one of the stylish on the island. Recently, former Lowland chef Jason Stanhope took over the kitchen to overhaul the menu. He’s planning a slow transition to get back to the roots of a Lowcountry fish camp. Current offerings include lobster roll sliders, local crudo, shrimp fried rice, and more.

Diners can eat pizza, pasta, and fresh seafood just a few steps from the ocean. From the skilled hands of executive chef Jacques Larson, the Obstinate Daughter offers a stunning dining room to spend visit for lunch, brunch, or dinner. Visitors should order a craft cocktail, a few oysters, and try the ricotta gnocchi with short rib ragu at least once.

Home Team BBQ on Sullivan's Island is always packed with friends and families ordering pulled pork plates and catching a game on the televisions. The smoked wings with Alabama white sauce are addictive, as are the frozen boozy Gamechanger cocktails.

Cozy bistro High Thyme offers a more upscale experience than most beach-goers expect. Guests visit this Middle Street restaurant for celebratory dinners and Sunday morning brunches. Find dishes like mussels in a coconut chili broth, cioppino, three-meat bolognese lasagna, lamb meatballs, and more comforting dishes.

Using only sustainable seafood, Acme Lowcountry Kitchen offers a taste of the East Coast. Where the kitchen really shines is the extensive shrimp and grits offerings — choose from plates like jerk shrimp with peaches and cream grits and pineapple salsa or more traditional sauteed shrimp, with tasso ham, peppers, onions, and red eye gravy.

Contemporary Italian eatery Coda del Pesce sits right on the beach at Isle of Palms. Customers can watch the ocean while ordering from chef Ken Vedrinski’s seafood-filled menu. Make reservations early for dishes like the snowy grouper with peanut potatoes, grapes, and Castelvetrano olives.

An Isle of Palms homeowner will argue before a judge this week that the state's challenge to the retaining wall built behind his oceanfront home is null and void.

The hearings for the case that has pitted Isle of Palms property owners Rom and Renee Reddy against the Department of Environmental Services will begin on May 6 in the state Administrative Law Court in Columbia, and are expected to last until May 8.

A clerk confirmed on May 5 that the hearings would be held the morning of May 6, despite a motion filed by the Reddys on April 30 asking for a 90-day continuance.

Reddy recently fired his team of lawyers from firm Williams Mullen. The termination came shortly after ALC Chief Justice Ralph Anderson denied the Reddys' motion for summary judgment on April 24, which would have bypassed the need for trial.

This is the second team of lawyers Reddy has fired. He parted ways with his original counsel from Finkel Law Firm in July 2024.

In the order, Anderson reaffirmed the state's authority to manage South Carolina beaches, including the power to issue permits for building in the critical area, a section of the shoreline where development and construction is limited.

In an email to Anderson on April 29, Reddy attributed the termination to an irreconcilable fee dispute. He filed a motion for a 90-day continuance, a delay to give him time to hire more lawyers. Reddy noted that no attorneys were willing to take up the case without at least three months to prepare for trial.

If the request was denied, the homeowner and founder of SC DOGE said he would appear and represent himself.

Opening statements are set to begin as scheduled on May 6.

DES filed a petition for injunctive relief in the Administrative Law Court in February 2024 after the state agency became aware of the ocean-facing wall behind the Reddys' home on the Isle of Palms. The state fined the homeowners $289,000 for the wall, which they say is an unauthorized structure in the protected area of the beach.

The Reddys' have fought against the state's claims, arguing that the definition of "critical area" is too vague, and questioned the constitutionality of the term. Reddy has characterized the legal proceedings as "tyranny."

"Ultimately, this is a question of whether a government can confiscate a private citizen's land in the name of environmental protection with no compensation," Reddy said in an April statement to The Post and Courier.

DES, joined by the Coastal Conservation League, will argue to uphold the state's jurisdiction over the beaches. They are also seeking to have the wall removed and the beach restored to its original state.