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, Woody’s Eatery, 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 by Hyatt, the pace of development has accelerated. The resort looks spiffier than it has in years. The Residences at Sweetgrass sit at the heart of Wild Dunes Resort, offering modern, coastal-inspired condominium accommodations with the convenience of hotel services such as daily housekeeping, bellman assistance, and in-room dining. At the base of the Residences is The Plaza, a lively hub for resort guests and homeowners alike. The Plaza features a collection of shops and dining, including Hudson’s Market, Beachside Burgers & Bar, and the full-service Spa at Sweetgrass. You’ll also find access to the resort’s fitness center, pools, and a variety of seasonal events and activities that make it the central gathering place of the 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 six pickleball courts at the heart of the resort, just a short walk from the Boardwalk Inn and Sweetgrass Plaza.
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. The complex also has six permanent pickleball courts, adding another dimension to the racquet activities. Light meals are as close as Woody’s Eatery right next to the Harbor Course Pro Shop.
Court fees (for guests who book through Wild Dunes Resort):
- Tennis - $10/person before 12:00PM; one complimentary hour after 12:00PM.
- Pickleball - $10/person
Off Court
Beach: The beach at Wild Dunes stretches for two and a half miles, framed by tall, sea oat–topped dunes that remain among the highest along the South Carolina coast. Unlike neighboring areas once cleared for plantations, the Isle of Palms landscape was left largely untouched, preserving its natural beauty. Midway along the shoreline sits the Grand Pavilion, a lively gathering spot offering seasonal light bites, snacks, ice cream, and refreshing beverages. With two oceanfront pools overlooking the Atlantic, it’s the perfect place to relax between beach strolls and swims.
Golf Courses: Wild Dunes Resort is home to two Tom Fazio classics: the Links Course, with sweeping oceanfront holes, and the Harbor Course, a water-lined test of precision along the Intracoastal. Two distinct challenges—one unforgettable golf destination.
Spa at Sweetgrass: The Spa at Sweetgrass features 14 luxurious treatment rooms and a full-service hair and nail salon. Guests can indulge in massages, facials, and body treatments, all designed to refresh, rejuvenate, and provide a serene, coastal-inspired escape.
Pools: 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 activities: Wild Dunes’ children’s program, Island Adventures®, offers engaging, supervised activities designed for kids to explore, play, and create lasting memories. Activities are available throughout the resort season, with the most frequent offerings from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Dining: There are 12 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, and Oystercatcher in the lobby of the Sweetgrass Inn.
Accommodations
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.
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 is located in the heart of the Sweetgrass Plaza, offering an array of apparel, accessories, keepsakes, and so much more. With a focus on locally sourced goods and Lowcountry-inspired styles, the Sweetgrass Plaza is a must-visit shopping destination on Isle of Palms.
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.