Isle of Palms to begin major beach nourishment project

The Isle of Palms City (SC) is in the process of installing 700 additional sandbags in three critical areas: the Port O’ Call, Beachwood East and the Breach Inlet end of the island, before the November king tides.

Approximately 25,000 cubic yards of sand will be moved from a shoal. The objective of this work is to minimize the impact of the shoal coming ashore, while also providing some protection to the areas critically eroded.

In addition, the city is preparing for a major beach nourishment project that would include the placement of up to 2,500,000 cubic yards of beach-quality sediment along up to 19,200 linear feet of shoreline on the two ends of the island.

The sand will be dredged from offshore borrow areas approximately 2–3.5 miles from the beach. The expected cost of the project is between $25M-$30M and work is expected to begin as early as spring 2026.

Permits from state and federal regulatory agencies have been requested and are under review.