3 minute read
Your 2024 Beach Guide
Lovey's Lowcountry Livin’
Your 2024 Beach Guide
Let me start by saying that I love the beach! Originally, I came from the Rock Hill area, but, since my mom was fostering me a few years ago, she took to me to the beach for the first time with Peanut and I was hooked. The sand is fun to dig in and get dirty, and the tide pools are fun to splash around in.
The Lowcountry is lucky to have several beaches to spend time at, but you need to be aware of each beach’s rules when it comes to dogs.
Let's take a look at 4 of our local beaches:
SULLIVAN’S ISLAND
All dogs on the island: (including residents) day visitors and vacation renters, must have a dog permit from the town. Permits are $35 per dog ($25 for residents) and are issued at Town Hall, 1610 Middle St. Owners should have proof of rabies vaccine.
Dogs are allowed off-leash on the beach 5-10 a.m. May 1 to Sept. 30 and from 5 a.m. to noon Oct. 1 to April 30. From May 1 to Sept. 30, no dogs are allowed on the beach between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Pet waste bags are available near the entrance of each beach access path.
IOP
Dogs are allowed off-leash on the beach between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. April 1 to Sept 14 and then 4 p.m. to 10 a.m. Sept. 15 to March 31. At other times, dogs have to be leashed – even if they’re splashing in the water. And pet owners should clean up after their dogs. All dogs belonging to Isle of Palms residents must have a current City of Isle of Palms dog license; visitors are not required to have a dog license. IOP does have a dog park behind the Recreation Department at 24 Twenty-Eighth Ave.
FOLLY BEACH
Dogs are not allowed on the beach from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 1 to Sept. 30. At all other times, dogs must be leashed and under voice control. Owners should clean up any pet waste.
KIAWAH ISLAND
Dogs visiting Kiawah Island must be leashed year round. There are two off-leash dog areas but dogs must be under voice command: the first area stretches from Beachwalker County Park for 1,000 yards to the west and the second area is located between the Beach Club and the Ocean Course pedestrian beach access. Dogs may be off leash from Dec. 1 to March 15 on the central portion of the beach between Beachwalker County Park and the Beach Club.■
