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. Four of the courts have lights. New to the complex are five permanent pickleball courts, adding another dimension to the racquet activities. Light meals are as close as the deli in the nearby golf clubhouse.
If you are a Wild Dunes hotel or vacation rental guest, you can enjoy a complimentary hour on the tennis courts after 12:00pm each day during your stay. Prior to 12:00pm, there is a fee of $10 per person.
Off Court
Dining:
Coastal Provisions - An upscale seafood and chop house located in the Boardwalk Inn that serves craft cocktails and locally-sourced cuisine for all meals with indoor and outdoor poolside dining options.
The Oystercatcher Restaurant & Bar - A lively gathering place in the Sweetgrass Inn lobby offering fresh local cuisine, craft cocktails, and chef-crafted small plates featuring daily-delivered seafood including oysters prepared four ways.
The Laughing Gull - A casual bar and restaurant adjacent to the Sweetgrass Pool that serves laid-back beachside favorites like burgers, sandwiches, salads, and frozen cocktails.
Huey's Southern Eats - Located in the Links Course Clubhouse, this restaurant features Southern staple dishes with local twists, a full bar, and panoramic golf course views with indoor and outdoor dining options.
Coastal Crust - A family-friendly pizzeria on Sweetgrass Plaza specializing in wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas and Italian-inspired dishes made with house-made dough, local ingredients, and traditional recipes.
Beachside Burgers & Bar - An oceanfront dining spot at the end of the boardwalk serving beach grill favorites, tropical drinks, and frosty beers with nightly summer entertainment.
The Sweet Shoppe - A Plaza-located confectionery offering a wide variety of specialty candies, bulk favorites, and creative treats to satisfy every sweet craving.
Hudson's Market - A cozy market on Sweetgrass Plaza providing specialty coffee, deli sandwiches, ice cream, groceries, sundries, baked goods, gifts, and grocery delivery services.
Woody's Eatery - A casual grab-and-go or dine-in spot next to the Harbor Pro Shop and Tennis Center serving all-day breakfast, lunch sandwiches, and various beverages.
The Nest - A rooftop cocktail bar atop the Sweetgrass Inn featuring trendsetting menus with local craft beers, buzz-worthy cocktails, and small bites that attract both tourists and locals.
Dinner Delivered - A home-style meal delivery service offering multi-course family meals for 8-10 people with various menu options including Lowcountry specialties, requiring 72-hour advance notice.
Recreation and Experiences:
Wild Dunes Resort offers comprehensive recreational experiences including 36 holes of Tom Fazio-designed championship golf, plus year-round Island Adventures® kids programming with activities ranging from crafts and games to summer experiences like tie dye and mermaid adventures. The resort features a luxurious 10,000-square-foot Spa at Sweetgrass with 14 treatment rooms, outdoor spa garden with plunge pools and infrared sauna, offering ocean-inspired treatments, alternative wellness experiences, and yoga/meditation sessions.
Additional amenities include The Gallery at Sweetgrass showcasing work from over 40 local artists with an artist-in-residence program, and boutique shopping venues like SALT Boutique for resort wear, the Surf Shop for beach essentials, and spa retail for organic beauty products and coastal keepsakes.
Accommodations
Boardwalk Inn: Nestled into the heart of Wild Dunes Resort and just a short stroll from the beach, the AAA Four-Diamond rated Boardwalk Inn features 93 luxurious rooms with a balanced blend of bright beachy aesthetics and Charleston charm. Each guestroom has a private balcony, and the Inn also includes eight junior suites, a cozy well-appointed club room and a 1,700-square-foot grand Presidential Suite on the top floor. The Boardwalk Inn is home to the tranquil, adult-only Boardwalk Inn pool and poolside cabanas!
The Residences at Sweetgrass: The three-building Residences at Sweetgrass is at the center of all resort activity, and just a short walk from the pristine Isle of Palms beach. Guests can choose from one-, two- and three-bedroom suites and penthouses, all of which are fully furnished and tastefully decorated in the casual elegance of the Lowcountry. In addition to 150 units, the Residences at Sweetgrass also features Shoppes at Sweetgrass, offering an array of apparel, accessories, keepsakes, and so much more.
Sweetgrass Inn at Wild Dunes: Sweetgrass Inn, Wild Dunes Resort’s new 153 room hotel in the South Carolina Lowcountry, encompasses four acres and features state-of-the-art amenities including 30,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space, an 8,000 square-foot grand ballroom with pre-function and terrace event space, a 3,000 square-foot rooftop ballroom with a 6,000 square-foot terrace featuring stunning ocean views, a lobby lounge, expanded pools with hot tubs, a kids splash pad, poolside restaurant and bar, a 10,000 square-foot luxurious spa and salon with 14-treatment rooms, a top-notch 2,750 square- foot fitness center, retail space, and more. Rooted in culture and inherently tied to the resort’s island setting, the Sweetgrass Inn is inspired by the native sweetgrass that peppers the Lowcountry’s barrier islands. Along the beautiful coastline, sweetgrass anchors the dunes providing stability, preserving history and fostering life. The Sweetgrass Inn will continue to bind the new and old, representing growth and beckoning guests to step into natural simplicity.
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.