Planning a trip to the Lowcountry in South Carolina? With temperate weather year-round, it can be hard to know when’s the best time to visit Isle of Palms! Our area is an oceanside oasis all year round but offers unique festivals, events, and more during each season. There’s no bad time year to visit Isle of Palms! Read on to discover what each season in our area has to offer! Then, decide your ideal time to visit.
When you’re ready to start planning your trip, request our free Isle of Palms Vacation Guide! This resource has local insight on what to see, do, eat, and more during your trip.
Your Seasonal Guide to the Best Time to Visit Isle of Palms
Winter
Snowbirds, unite! Winter is a great time to visit Isle of Palms for those who want to escape the snow. Our area’s average high temperature in the winter is 60°F and lows range in the 40s. In addition to mild winter temperatures, the Isle of Palms also has a lot of holiday-themed events and festivals that are perfect for your family’s destination holiday!
One of the most popular nearby winter attractions is the Holiday Festival of Lights on James Island. Enjoy marvelous light displays as you drive through the expansive Charleston County Park. This month-long holiday festival also features family-friendly activities like a sweet shop, photo opts with Santa, and more! Stay into January to attend another one of our favorite Isle of Palms events, the Lowcountry Oyster Festival. It’s a great way to get a taste of local cuisine and support local charities.
Spring & Fall
Spring and fall are both great times of year to visit Isle of Palms! These are great seasons to avoid heavy tourist traffic. Visit in the spring or fall and you’re sure to have no problem finding a spot to spread out on the beach. We do recommend bringing a light sweater, though, as the wind coming off the water can be a bit chilly. You shouldn’t have any problem booking your favorite tour of historic downtown Charleston or have to wait in line at other popular attractions like the Charleston, South Carolina, Aquarium!
The only noticeable difference between spring and fall in the Lowcountry is the weather. Visit in early spring and you can experience the tail end of winter temperatures, visit in early fall and you can still feel the summer heat. Learn more about the Isle of Palms weather in March and Isle of Palms weather in October for a better feel of what to expect out of the weather in both seasons!
Summer
Like most East Coast tourist destinations, summer is the most popular time to visit Isle of Palms. Summer in our area boasts ideal beach weather, water sports, live music and more!
Here are a few of our favorite ways to soak up the sun during the summer on Isle of Palms, SC:
- Try surfing on the Isle of Palms! This is a great way to take advantage of the beach and try something new.
- Jam out to live music on the Isle of Palms! The Windjammer is the most popular spot for locals and visitors alike to enjoy beachside concerts during the summer.
- Go on an Isle of Palms dolphin tour! Barrier Island Ecotours offers guided boat tours through the Charleston Harbor in search of dolphin pods.
Rent a Home Year-Round on IOP With East Islands Rentals
Reserve your vacation home with East Islands Rentals no matter what time of year you deem the best time of visit Isle of Palms! We have 21 rentals on Isle of Palms that are available year-round. Enjoy 19 oceanfront rentals, so you can take full advantage of our coastal location no matter when you visit!
Browse a full inventory of our rentals to start planning your trip to IOP!
