Located a mere 15 miles from the historic district of Charleston, Wild Dunes Resort is one of the rare vacation properties to afford the diversions of golf, tennis, beach, and marina within easy striking distance of a cultured city. The 1,600-acre property encompasses the northern tip of the Isle of Palms, a long, club-shaped barrier island on South Carolina’s Atlantic Coast. It gets its name from the mounds of sea oats-tufted sand lining its 2½-mile-long beach.
I first visited the resort in the 1980s and immediately fell under its spell. That glorious beach aside, it had a very active tennis program and became the host site for the U.S. Clay Court Championships, both of which helped it garner a ranking among the finest resorts in the country. There was one superb restaurant not far from the tennis courts. Bike lanes and a free on-property shuttle made it easy to get around. And best of all Charleston was close enough that you could stay at the beach and drive into town for dinner, an historic houses tour, and in spring the WTA’s annual Volvo Car Open held on nearby Daniel Island.
Under the current management company, Destination Hotels & Resorts, the pace of development has accelerated. The resort looks spiffier than it has in years. The Village at Wild Dunes, a plaza really, comprises a restaurant, upscale market/deli, a day spa, and a fitness center on the main level and condominiums with hotel amenities like room service, bellman, and daily maid service on the floors above to either side. An amphitheater at one end provides a venue for occasional live concerts and the newest addition is a zero-entry swimming pool adjacent to the Village Plaza for the exclusive use of those who book through Wild Dunes Resort. The property keeps getting better.
As the one-time site of the U.S. Claycourt Championships, Wild Dunes Resort has a long history of devotion to tennis, having located its 12 clay courts—one of them a stadium—and four new pickleball courts at the heart of the resort, just a short walk from the Boardwalk Inn and Village.
Tennis Staff: Tennis director Clayton Langheim, who is originally from South Africa, directs the tennis, having come to Wild Dunes from clubs in North Carolina, Connecticut, and Florida. He played Division I tennis for Troy University in Alabama before moving on to teaching and coaching. “I’m big on energy,” he told me, noting that he’s introduced music during the popular 2-hour morning clinics and weekly summer exhibitions. It’s also a quality he looks for in the pros he hires, saying he looks for “high energy individuals who are personable and focused on really teaching as opposed to just feeding balls.”
Tennis Programs: Wild Dunes kicks off each week in season with a well-attended Monday night exhibition, whose centerpiece is a doubles contest featuring staff. That event also provides a venue to introduce the weekly programs and services. Those include conscientious game matching, often drawing on local members, and a diverse calendar of weekly adult and junior clinics and round robins, among them sessions for beginning, intermediate, and advanced adults and for children as young as 4 years. The pro shop manager also coordinates activities, like the adult and junior round robins that take place each week, and matches guests looking for games. There are morning and afternoon programs for all skill levels and ages year round. The local membership includes over 100 active players, further adding to the overall tennis atmosphere. The tennis complex has a new system of online payment and check ins, allowing guests to reserve their spot and get to the court much faster.
Court Complex: There are 12 Har-Tru courts at Wild Dunes, one of them a stadium court, with permanent seating on one side, and a pro shop on the second story overlooking the complex. Five of the clay courts have lights. New to the complex are four permanent pickleball courts, adding another dimension to the racquet activities. Light meals are as close as the deli in the nearby golf clubhouse.
Court fees (for guests who book through Wild Dunes Resort): $15/hour before noon; one complimentary hour after noon.
Off Court
Beach: The beach at Wild Dunes extends for 2½ miles, much of it bordered by tall dunes tufted with sea oats. Its dunes are higher than others found along this coast because there were no cotton or rice plantations of Isle of Palms and therefore its landscape was left untouched. The Grand Pavilion partway along sits just behind the dunes and provides a seasonal place for light meals, snacks, ice cream, and beverages. It also has two swimming pools overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
Golf Courses: Tom Fazio designed the resort’s Links and Harbor Courses, the first in 1980, the second in 1986.
Links Course: Fazio used the natural landscape of dunes, marsh, and oceanfront to carve out a true links course. Its finishing holes border the Atlantic at the very tip of the Isle of Palms. Both Golf Digest and Golf Magazine have ranked it among the Top 100 courses in the U.S. Par: 72. Length: 6,772 yards.
Harbor Course: More challenging than appears, given the relatively short yardage, since water or marsh comes into play on 17 of the 18 holes. Par: 70. Length: 6,359 yards.
Spa & Fitness Center. The new Spa at Sweetgrass has 14 treatment rooms and a hair and nail salon as well as a fitness center, to complement the one on the Village plaza. it is accessible by using your room key and contains Cardio equipment, Paramount workout stations, and dumbbells in a partially mirrored room with views on the plaza and resort.
There are two swimming pools at the Grand Pavilion, another at the Boardwalk Inn, another with a splash pool at the Sweetgrass Inn, and a junior Olympic pool at the Swim Center. Bikes can be rented at the tennis center, and fishing and boating excursions leave from the marina.
Children's programs: Wild Dunes’ children’s programs stand out for two reasons: they have a solid reputation for quality and they are either free or offered at minimal cost to guests who book their lodging directly with Wild Dunes Resort. Teens, meanwhile, can look forward to lounging at the pool and nightly entertainment and activities. Activities are most frequent from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Dining: There are half a dozen restaurants and bars scattered throughout the resort, ranging from Coastal Provisions, the signature restaurant in the lobby of the Boardwalk Inn, the Beachside Burgers & Bar overlooking the ocean at the Grand Pavilion.
Accommodations
The newest lodging at the resort is the 153-room Sweetgrass Inn, which opened in 2021. Its amenities include a full-service spa, fitness center, expansive pool deck with a zero-entry pool and kids’ splash pool, a rooftop terrace and bar with ocean views, new retail, and three new restaurants. It complements the nearby 93-room Boardwalk Inn, set, like the Sweetgrass Inn, slightly inland though an easy stroll from the resort’s sinuous 2½-mile beach. The five-story lodge was modeled, say the architects, on a turn-of-the-century Caribbean plantation house. It stands at one end of a grand boardwalk framed by colorful townhouses.
When it opened in the late 1990s, this small hotel brought a new dimension of lodging to a resort that previously could offer only villas and houses. The rooms on the front face west and have only little wrought iron French balconies, but many of those on the ocean side have full terraces and views of the courtyard pool below and of the rainbow-hued townhouses that line both sides of the boardwalk. The opening of the Village in 2008 further enhanced the lodging options by offering condominiums ranging in size from studios to three bedrooms but notable for also having such hotel-like amenities as room service, daily maid service, bellmen and valet parking while also having full kitchens, Ethernet connections, flatscreen TVs, and shallow balconies.
Otherwise, the lodging consists of a varied collection of condos and cottages, which range in size from one to four bedrooms, and of privately owned houses with as many as seven bedrooms. Some of these villas and houses front the ocean, others the Intracoastal Waterway, while others are inland, including a complex adjacent to the tennis complex.
Getting there
Seasons: Year-round but potentially chilly in winter. The greatest concentration of family activities occurs between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Travel Instructions: From the airport: Take I-526 East to the Georgetown exit, Hwy. 17 North. Turn left at the light and follow Hwy. 17 North to Hwy. 517, the Isle of Palms Connector. Turn right only Hwy. 517 and proceed over the Intracoastal Waterway to the Isle of Palms. Once on the island, turn left at the light at the foot of the bridge onto Palm Blvd., Hwy. 703. Follow Palm Blvd. north to 41st Avenue, where you’ll see the Wild Dunes directional sign to turn right onto Palm Blvd. (Extension). The main gate will be on your left.
Great group of teaching pros that work with all levels, and who are all encouragers! Folks in the clubhouse are always welcoming and make you feel that they are glad you are there….and knowledgeable and help you find a hitting session that fits your ability from Stroke of the Day to Peak Performance. They have also just redone most of the courts so that they are in great shape. Tennis or pickle ball, either one you are all set.
HK
Always have a great time on the court – love the pros and the clinics offered!
MT
We love Wild Dunes Tennis Club the instruction is excellent and you can stay right across the street in lovely accommodations. Downtown Charlestown is only 20 minutes away. We come every year!
JS
I had a great time playing pickleball in Wild Dunes! Really enjoyed live ball! What a fun fast paced clinic! Beautiful facility.
LH
I visited the resort with my family. We were especially interested in tennis and it sure did not disappoint!! A PLUS PLUS! The tennis staff is very knowledgeable and all have super personalities. The clinics were definitely amazing, and no one leaves without a positive comment. There are varying degrees of difficulty between players, but it does not matter as the pros help everyone. The pros make the clinics fun and every time we learn something to improve out weakest skill and more! You leave with the feeling of accomplishment and can not wait to come again. You always want to stay one more day!! The pro shop is awesome and the tennis facility is very well maintained!! Again, I can not say enough about the entire tennis facility and the pros!! This is a resort that everyone should come and enjoy!! We did not participate in pickleball, but observed the courts and lessons that were being taught, and we were impressed. It seems to me that they need more pickleball courts due to the excellent instruction that is provided. When we were visiting with other people at the resort who did participate in pickleball, they also had very positive comments about the instruction. All in all, come to Wild Dunes for Tennis and Pickleball!!! You will not be disappointed.
JC
Wild Dunes has great tennis and pickleball programs. The pros, clinics and lessons are all awesome!
GA
Love playing tennis at Wild Dunes. Courts are great and the setting is wonderful. Great staff at the Tennis facility.
RH
Always have a great time at Wild Dunes, the instructors are fantastic, and courts are great… Keep it up!
KW
Very fine facility the best clay courts in the charleston area in a beautiful setting.
RB
Enjoyed my time on the courts. Nice facility with great teaching pros. Overall a very pleasurable experience!
TH
A wonderful resort. Great tennis and pickleball.
TH
A great place to play and learn tennis and pickleball
KR
Wild dunes has an amazing tennis facility and the best pros and staff. It is my family’s favorite spot to vacation.
LB
GREAT with a capital G!
LW
Wild Dunes is an awesome experience!
SH
They have really upgraded the facility! Staff is incredible!
JJ
The tennis and Pickleball staff were amazing! Enjoyed my stay and had the best experience. I am for sure coming back!
JB
HK
AW
PB
Great Pros love the clay courts beautiful resort.
MF
SB
AG
ST
I would highly recommend Wild Dunes Racquet Program. The pickleball and tennis clinics were great. The courts here are extremely well kept. I can’t say enough good things about the staff there. Shawn, Clayton, Jess and Josh are world class instructors. We will definitely be frequents here
EN
Highly recommend.
KH
It offers everything you need on a holiday. Tennis facilities highly recommend and well maintained. Pool area and food of high quality and service. Staff in all areas well trained and friendly. A definite high quality resort.
LH
I have visited Wild Dunes for many years. It is a great place to vacation with numerous things to do, and the atmosphere great and pleasant. Tennis is the number one reason I go there. Clayton and Shawn are absolutely the BEST! They are very knowledgeable and they adapt to all levels of tennis players. Both have excellent personalities and are definitely the ones you want to take lessons from. No one is left out and they encourage everyone. They make all lessons/clinics very enjoyable. You never have to be embarrassed if you are in a group where everyone is better than you. NEVER !! Just in walking around Wild Dunes you can hear other tennis players talk about the wonderful experience they had at the clinics or with private lessons. ALL want to come back. When you have tennis pros that treat everyone the same and make the experience so enjoyable, you tell your friends and they will definitely want to visit the tennis courts at Wild Dunes. Great job by all the staff and pros, and thanks to Clayton and Shawn. A definite 5 STAR PLUS RATING!!! I did not take pickleball lessons/clinics and I just started with that and am not ready, so I did not put any ratings for that. I also did not use the spa, or have children, but from what I saw the Children have plenty to do!!
MT
Peak tennis clinic was my favorite part of the trip. Instructors were fun and knowledgeable. Very organized and well run facility. Plenty of tennis clinics and fun pickleball socials!
CT
GM
PG
KR
EB
I went for the tennis, and it was awesome! The pros and staff were wonderful.
AM
CM
TH
LB
Phenomenal place!
IS
Great tennis/pickleball programming! They will customize instruction, beautiful lands-capping, spa and pool. Good restaurant options. From the minute you stepped into the tennis center the custom service and instruction for both pickleball /tennis were world class!!!
SW
DK
The entire racquets program at Wild Dunes Resort is unlike any other! I participated in both the private tennis lessons (Clayton rocks!), and also their cardio tennis which is great to get a high energy workout in. I must admit, I’m no tennis pro by any means and this was one of my first experiences with it, and the team was very understanding to my ability level. Of course, I had to also try the pickleball while I was there. Josh, the Director of Pickleball is also incredible. The clinics and camps were a lot of fun, especially for beginners. The resort itself is great! Lots of dining options and the spa was fantastic. Got a 60-minute massage during my stay and it was much needed after a day of tennis. Highly recommend Raymond! Overall, it was a fantastic stay and I can’t wait to go back again soon.
MM
PM
Wild Dunes surpassed my expectations in every way. Our typical day began with a sunrise walk along the ocean, finding sea shells while shrimp boats in the distance collected our meal for later in the day. A quick change into court shoes for an hour of pickleball lessons from certified instructors with a ton of energy. We also dropped into “open play” which introduced us to other resort guests and competitive games. After a delicious lunch at poolside cabana bar, we spent the afternoon on the beach reading, relaxing, and swimming. Along with eating at several of the resorts many restaurants, we also Ubered into IOP to grab dinner and listen to various bands. Rinse and Repeat each day….
CK
RD
Just a wonderful experience from start to finish. Wild Dunes Tennis is tops in my book. Great staff and programming always. My family and I look forward to returning many times over.
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295 Reviews on “Wild Dunes Resort”
Great group of teaching pros that work with all levels, and who are all encouragers! Folks in the clubhouse are always welcoming and make you feel that they are glad you are there….and knowledgeable and help you find a hitting session that fits your ability from Stroke of the Day to Peak Performance. They have also just redone most of the courts so that they are in great shape. Tennis or pickle ball, either one you are all set.
Always have a great time on the court – love the pros and the clinics offered!
We love Wild Dunes Tennis Club the instruction is excellent and you can stay right across the street in lovely accommodations. Downtown Charlestown is only 20 minutes away. We come every year!
I had a great time playing pickleball in Wild Dunes! Really enjoyed live ball! What a fun fast paced clinic! Beautiful facility.
I visited the resort with my family. We were especially interested in tennis and it sure did not disappoint!! A PLUS PLUS! The tennis staff is very knowledgeable and all have super personalities. The clinics were definitely amazing, and no one leaves without a positive comment. There are varying degrees of difficulty between players, but it does not matter as the pros help everyone. The pros make the clinics fun and every time we learn something to improve out weakest skill and more! You leave with the feeling of accomplishment and can not wait to come again. You always want to stay one more day!! The pro shop is awesome and the tennis facility is very well maintained!! Again, I can not say enough about the entire tennis facility and the pros!! This is a resort that everyone should come and enjoy!! We did not participate in pickleball, but observed the courts and lessons that were being taught, and we were impressed. It seems to me that they need more pickleball courts due to the excellent instruction that is provided. When we were visiting with other people at the resort who did participate in pickleball, they also had very positive comments about the instruction. All in all, come to Wild Dunes for Tennis and Pickleball!!! You will not be disappointed.
Wild Dunes has great tennis and pickleball programs. The pros, clinics and lessons are all awesome!
Love playing tennis at Wild Dunes. Courts are great and the setting is wonderful. Great staff at the Tennis facility.
Always have a great time at Wild Dunes, the instructors are fantastic, and courts are great… Keep it up!
Very fine facility the best clay courts in the charleston area in a beautiful setting.
Enjoyed my time on the courts. Nice facility with great teaching pros. Overall a very pleasurable experience!
A wonderful resort. Great tennis and pickleball.
A great place to play and learn tennis and pickleball
Wild dunes has an amazing tennis facility and the best pros and staff. It is my family’s favorite spot to vacation.
GREAT with a capital G!
Wild Dunes is an awesome experience!
They have really upgraded the facility! Staff is incredible!
The tennis and Pickleball staff were amazing! Enjoyed my stay and had the best experience. I am for sure coming back!
Great Pros love the clay courts beautiful resort.
I would highly recommend Wild Dunes Racquet Program. The pickleball and tennis clinics were great. The courts here are extremely well kept. I can’t say enough good things about the staff there. Shawn, Clayton, Jess and Josh are world class instructors. We will definitely be frequents here
Highly recommend.
It offers everything you need on a holiday. Tennis facilities highly recommend and well maintained. Pool area and food of high quality and service. Staff in all areas well trained and friendly. A definite high quality resort.
I have visited Wild Dunes for many years. It is a great place to vacation with numerous things to do, and the atmosphere great and pleasant. Tennis is the number one reason I go there. Clayton and Shawn are absolutely the BEST! They are very knowledgeable and they adapt to all levels of tennis players. Both have excellent personalities and are definitely the ones you want to take lessons from. No one is left out and they encourage everyone. They make all lessons/clinics very enjoyable. You never have to be embarrassed if you are in a group where everyone is better than you. NEVER !! Just in walking around Wild Dunes you can hear other tennis players talk about the wonderful experience they had at the clinics or with private lessons. ALL want to come back. When you have tennis pros that treat everyone the same and make the experience so enjoyable, you tell your friends and they will definitely want to visit the tennis courts at Wild Dunes. Great job by all the staff and pros, and thanks to Clayton and Shawn. A definite 5 STAR PLUS RATING!!! I did not take pickleball lessons/clinics and I just started with that and am not ready, so I did not put any ratings for that. I also did not use the spa, or have children, but from what I saw the Children have plenty to do!!
Peak tennis clinic was my favorite part of the trip. Instructors were fun and knowledgeable. Very organized and well run facility. Plenty of tennis clinics and fun pickleball socials!
I went for the tennis, and it was awesome! The pros and staff were wonderful.
Phenomenal place!
Great tennis/pickleball programming! They will customize instruction, beautiful lands-capping, spa and pool. Good restaurant options. From the minute you stepped into the tennis center the custom service and instruction for both pickleball /tennis were world class!!!
The entire racquets program at Wild Dunes Resort is unlike any other! I participated in both the private tennis lessons (Clayton rocks!), and also their cardio tennis which is great to get a high energy workout in. I must admit, I’m no tennis pro by any means and this was one of my first experiences with it, and the team was very understanding to my ability level. Of course, I had to also try the pickleball while I was there. Josh, the Director of Pickleball is also incredible. The clinics and camps were a lot of fun, especially for beginners. The resort itself is great! Lots of dining options and the spa was fantastic. Got a 60-minute massage during my stay and it was much needed after a day of tennis. Highly recommend Raymond! Overall, it was a fantastic stay and I can’t wait to go back again soon.
Wild Dunes surpassed my expectations in every way. Our typical day began with a sunrise walk along the ocean, finding sea shells while shrimp boats in the distance collected our meal for later in the day. A quick change into court shoes for an hour of pickleball lessons from certified instructors with a ton of energy. We also dropped into “open play” which introduced us to other resort guests and competitive games. After a delicious lunch at poolside cabana bar, we spent the afternoon on the beach reading, relaxing, and swimming. Along with eating at several of the resorts many restaurants, we also Ubered into IOP to grab dinner and listen to various bands. Rinse and Repeat each day….
Just a wonderful experience from start to finish. Wild Dunes Tennis is tops in my book. Great staff and programming always. My family and I look forward to returning many times over.