Isle of Palms Sports & Outdoors Tips by grandmaR

Golf and Cruising on the Charlestonian

This boat was in front of us in Isle of Palms. I found it fascinating. Apparently it charters for golfing vacations and receptions.

From their website:

On the Charlestonian, it’s as if you are on the private yacht of a friend who knows the best bays, basins and waterways in South Carolina’s Lowcountry, can put together a great game of golf .. and sets a gourmet dinner table. With it’s six luxury staterooms, the ninety-three foot Charlestonian was designed to ensure gracious Southern hospitality while providing custom cruising itineraries and luxury golf charters along the Carolina coast. The Charlestonian combines the up-close and personal experience of private, small touring yachts with the onboard elegance of traditional cruising.

Equipment: I couldn't get the prices of the golf vacations, but for receptions:

49 Guests Formal Seating – 20 Guests. Casual Seating – 36 Guests

(Three Hour Minimum)

$3000 for three hour minimum. Additional hour(s) w/charter $1000/hour

Address: Isle of Palms Marina

Phone: 843-886-6412

Theme: Golfing

Parasailing in the Low Country

Last time we went by the Isle of Palms marina, I took a picture of this boat. I found out it is one of the ones from TIdal Wave Water Sports who have 4 locations in the Charleston area including this one.

I have not parasailed but some of my children and grandchildren have done it (although not here).

Their website says:

Our Parasailing Captains are USCG licensed and experienced in parasailing to offer you the excitement of flying up to 1,000 feet above the ocean.

Each parasailing excursion includes up to six passengers and lasts for approximately an hour and a half. Each person's "flight" lasts between 10 to 12 minutes.

Equipment: An article by Bruce Donovan in the Charleston Post and Courier says

Parasailing is about as docile an "extreme" activity you can try. This is one of the coolest ways to see the Lowcountry. This isn't for the faint of heart, but rest assured it's extremely safe.

Prices are $55 for 600 feet high or $75 for 1,000 feet high. Each ride generally lasts between eight to 14 minutes.

If your friends are too scared to parasail by themselves, but want to watch, they are welcome to ride along (for a small fee) if the boat is not full at the time of departure. Also, if going solo isn't your thing, they offer tandem flights, where you and a friend or spouse can enjoy the thrill of a lifetime together.

Address: 69 41st Avenue • Isle of Palms, SC 29451

Directions: Next to Isle of Palms Marina

Phone: 768-3482

Theme: Extreme Sports

Website: http://www.tidalwavewatersports.com/

Wild Dunes Harbor Course

The Wild Dunes Resort (part of which used to include the Wild Dunes Marina which is now part of the Isle of Palms Marina) has two 18 hole golf courses. One of them, the Harbor Course is alongside the ICW. I'm pretty sure that the use of these courses is restricted to resort guests.

The website says: "The Harbor Course rewards shotmaking skills and strategic thinking on a layout that incorporates the Intracoastal Waterway."

Tom Fazio designed both courses. The Wild Dunes Links winds through massive sand dunes and finishes along the Atlantic Ocean on the other side of the island.

Equipment: Practice facilities located across from the Links Clubhouse include a driving range, chipping area and putting green. Bucket of practice balls: $5 (resort guests).

Range hours: 7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. during Daylight Saving Time, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. all other times. Pro Shop hours: 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. during Daylight Saving Time, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. all other times.

Address: 5757 Palm Boulevard, Isle of Palms

Phone: 843-886-2164

Theme: Golfing

Website: http://www.wilddunes.com/default.htm?SEOP=charleston_hotels&referrer=

MM 456.5 Isle of Palms Marina

The price is $1.25/foot ($25 min) and $3/30A. We had cable TV, but the cable was overridden by the strength of the broadcast channels so that the weather channel for instance, which was on channel 6 couldn't be seen. They were also supposed to have phone connections, but the lines were dead. Didn't find the showers until we were leaving. There is a marine store and deli on the premises, and sometimes there is a restaurant. If you walk out to the main road, you can get a CARTA bus.

Equipment: The minimum depth of water in the channel is reported to be nine feet and the minimum depth in the basin is nine feet as well. The marina has new floating docks with rubber protection guards. In addition, the marina has 10 slips reserved for transients as well as 300 feet of new face dock alongside the restaurant that can accommodate larger vessels

Address: 50 41st Ave, Isle of Palms

Directions: SM 456.5 right on the ICW south of ICW marker 116
Latitude-32° 48.318N
Longitude- 079° 45.541W
NOAA Chart: 11518

Phone: 843-886-0209

Theme: Boating/Sailing

Website: http://www.isleofpalmsmarina.com/