Sullivan's Island Sandbars Update - April 2025 (south IOP too)

It's that time of year again for an update on the Sullivan's Island sandbars. As we all know, the sandbars change naturally over time but this time it's particularly interesting since there has been a great deal of man-made beach renourishment work going on at both the south end of Isle of Palms and the north end of Sullivan's Island. A massive amount of sand has been pumped in to these spots the last several months from the spoil islands along the ICW nearby.

At bottom of this post are some south Isle of Palms photos and videos as well, ending with a 5 minute aerial video collage of Breach Inlet / Isle of Palms / Sullivan's Island.

I flew the drone on Friday, April 25th at dead low tide, which was -0.5' at that time. By comparison, the last time I captured images there, it was also a negative -0.5' low tide on September 18th, 2024. Below are some comparison photos showing the difference in seven months.

For those new to seeing this - the relevance is that this area is a big playground for the local Charleston area ocean athlete community in all things surf, windsport, paddling, and foiling related. It helps to know how the sandbars are changing and where. Hopefully this is helpful to the local boating community as well.

Breach Inlet facing north towards the Breach Inlet Bridge and south end of Isle of Palms

Station 30 - note the new sand from the recent beach renourishment work, particularly how the old rock jetties are now covered up.

Station 28.5

Facing south towards the lighthouse and harbor entrance

A wider view facing south towards the lighthouse and harbor entrance

360 degree video - it starts facing north over Breach Inlet

A brief clip moving south towards the lighthouse and harbor entrance

A brief clip outside of Station 28.5

Video starting south of Station 28.5 and moving north over the beach towards Station 30

More Photos...

Facing north over Breach Inlet towards Station 30 and the Breach Inlet Bridge

A view of Station 28.5 and Breach Inlet from way outside

Way outside facing south towards the lighthouse and harbor entrance

South of Station 28.5 facing north towards it and Breach Inlet

Over Breach Inlet facing north toward the Breach Inlet Bridge and Isle of Palms

The outer Breach Inlet sandbars on south side of the inlet (facing towards Isle of Palms)

Facing the ocean - the outer Breach Inlet sandbar. This is why you don't drive a boat through there at low tide.

Over Station 30, looking south and outside of Station 28.5. It appears a new inner channel might be forming again inside of Breach Inlet, reminiscent of years' past.

A closer view of Station 30 facing north

North of Station 30, facing south towards Station 28.5

South IOP images....

Outside of south Isle of Palms facing west toward the Breach Inlet Bridge

Outside south Isle of Palms facing 2nd Avenue and north

Video outside south Isle of Palms facing the Breach Inlet Bridge then swinging north towards the pier

South end of Isle of Palms and flying north

South end of Isle of Palms facing north up the beach, note the beach renourishment heavy equipment at 3rd Avenue.

South end of Isle of Palms facing south towards the outer sandbars of Breach Inlet and Sullivan's Island

South end of Isle of Palms facing the Breach inlet Bridge and Sullivan's Island

180 degree video of Breach Inlet at Sullivan's Island & Isle of Palms

5 minute aerial video collage of Breach Inlet / Isle of Palms / Sullivan's Island - April 25th, 2025 at dead low tide -0.5'