Honestly, when I first booted up The Sims 4 Island Living, I thought I was just getting a glorified beach vacation. I figured it would be like Outdoor Retreat but with more sand and fewer bears. Boy, was I wrong. It turns out Sulani isn't just another world you visit for a weekend; it’s a total shift in how the game actually functions, even if it feels a little lighter on "gameplay" than something like Cottage Living.
Living in Sulani is a vibe. It's slow. It's sunny. It's also occasionally terrifying when a volcano starts spitting lava onto your back porch.
Since its 2019 release, fans have debated whether this pack is a "Game Pack" masquerading as an "Expansion Pack." I get that. If you’re looking for deep, complex systems like the fame mechanics in Get Famous, you might feel a bit short-changed. But if you want a world that feels alive—one where the environment actually reacts to your presence—The Sims 4 Island Living hits different. It’s about the culture of the islands, the mythology of the Mermaids, and the weirdly satisfying loop of cleaning up trash to save a coral reef.
The Sulani Life is More Than Just Sunbathing
Most players jump straight into the "Beach Bum" lifestyle, which is fine, but you’re missing the point if that’s all you do. Sulani is divided into three distinct neighborhoods: Ohan'ali Town, Lani St. Taz, and Mua Pel'am. Ohan'ali is the heart of the community. This is where the local culture shines. You’ll see neighbors popping by for "Extra Food" events, which is basically the Sims version of a potluck, except you didn't ask for it and now there's kalua pork all over your kitchen.
It’s charming.
Then you have Mua Pel'am. This is the "wild" side. It’s got an active volcano, a waterfall where your Sims can shower (or "WooHoo," let's be real), and the Cave of Sulani. If you’re playing the Conservationist career, this is your office. One of the coolest hidden features is how the island physically changes. As you pick up litter and invasive species, the island "heals." The water gets clearer, more butterflies appear, and the foliage turns lush. It's one of the few times in The Sims 4 where your actions have a visible, permanent impact on the world map.
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Mermaids: The Good, The Bad, and The Hydration
Let’s talk about the Occult in the room. Mermaids.
Look, they aren't as fleshed out as Vampires or Werewolves. They don't have a massive talent tree or a hierarchy system. That’s a bummer. However, they bring a specific kind of chaos to the game that I personally love. Mermaids use "Hydration" instead of "Hygiene." If they get too dry, they start to smell and eventually pass out.
They have unique "Siren" abilities too. You can call a "Siren’s Lure" to pull a Sim into the deep water, or use a "Summon Ocean Threat" to basically scare the living daylights out of someone. It’s dark. It’s also very funny. Plus, the customization in Create-A-Sim is top-tier. The scales, the fin shapes, the bioluminescent details—they look incredible. Just don't expect a deep RPG experience with them. They are more of a "flavor" addition than a core mechanic.
The Conservationist Career and Off-the-Grid Living
The Sims 4 Island Living was a pioneer for the "Off-the-Grid" lot trait. While that trait is now available in the base game, it was designed with Sulani in mind. Trying to survive on a remote island lot with no electricity and no running water is a genuine challenge. You have to fish for your food and find ways to stay clean without a modern shower.
The Conservationist career is the perfect pairing for this. It’s a "Work from Home" style career, which means you aren't just disappearing into a rabbit hole for eight hours. You’re actually out there taking water samples, surveying the beach, and lecturing locals about the environment.
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- Reach the top of the career to become a Master Environmentalist.
- This unlocks the ability to "Consult on Regulation," which can change how the whole island operates.
- You can even get a "Naturalist" trait that makes you immune to fire and allows you to talk to plants more effectively.
It’s one of the most rewarding careers in the game because you see the reef go from a murky mess to a vibrant ecosystem.
Why the Building Tools are a Game Changer
Even if you hate the beach, you have to admit the Build/Buy items in this pack are legendary. This pack introduced "Stilts." You can finally build houses directly over the water. This changed the game for builders. Suddenly, we weren't restricted to flat land or basement hacks. You can have a glass floor in your living room and watch the sharks swim under your sofa.
The aesthetic is heavily inspired by Polynesian culture. The textures are raw—woven woods, thatched roofs, and vibrant, sun-bleached fabrics. It blends surprisingly well with packs like Jungle Adventure or even Eco Lifestyle.
And the "Aqua-Zip." It’s basically a jet ski. Is it necessary? No. Is it fun to watch your Sim do a backflip on one while a dolphin jumps nearby? Absolutely.
What People Get Wrong About Sulani
A common complaint is that "there's nothing to do." I think that stems from people treating it like City Living. In San Myshuno, the game throws events at you. In Sulani, you have to seek them out. There are unlisted "festivals" happening almost every night in Ohan'ali Town. There’s the Flowers and Music festival, the Town BBQ, and the Turtle Hatching event.
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The turtle hatching is rare. You have to be in Mua Pel'am at the right time when the island is fully "healed." Watching dozens of tiny turtles scramble to the ocean is genuinely one of the most wholesome moments in the entire franchise. If your island is still polluted, you’ll never see it. That’s the depth people miss—the game rewards you for caring about the environment.
Dealing with the Volcano and Other Hazards
Living near the volcano on the "Admiral's Wreckage" lot or "Key Point" isn't just for the views. It adds the "Volcanic Activity" lot trait. Every now and then, the ground will shake. Steam will hiss from the vents. Then, giant flaming rocks fall from the sky.
If you’re brave (or fast), you can wait for the rocks to cool down and "break them open." You’ll often find rare minerals or fossils inside. But be careful—if your Sim is standing in the wrong spot, it’s game over. It adds a layer of risk that's often missing from the relatively safe world of The Sims 4.
Actionable Tips for Mastering Island Living
If you’re jumping into Sulani for the first time, or heading back for a replay, don’t just build a mansion and sit there. You’ll get bored in twenty minutes. Try these specific goals to actually experience the pack:
- The "Rag to Reef" Challenge: Start on an empty lot in Mua Pel'am with zero Simoleons. Use the "Off-the-Grid" and "Volcanic Activity" traits. Live entirely off the land (fishing, foraging) and don't get a "rabbit hole" job. Your only goal is to fully heal the island through conservation actions.
- Befriend the Dolphins: You can actually find "Dolphin Spawners" in the deeper water. If you build a high enough relationship with one, you can name it, feed it, and even have it perform tricks. They can even find sunken treasure for you.
- Explore the Cave: The cave in Mua Pel'am isn't just a decoration. As you explore it more, you unlock new interactions and find unique items like the "Heart of Sulani." It’s a slow burn, but the murals inside change as you progress.
- Master the Kava Bowl: Hosting a Kava Party is a specific social event. It’s different from a standard house party. You need to make the drink, share it, and tell stories. If it goes well, you get a massive boost to your island reputation.
The Sims 4 Island Living isn't about the grind. It’s about the atmosphere. It’s about the way the light hits the water at 5:00 PM and the way the local spirits (the Elementals) show up to judge your Sim’s life choices. It’s a pack that asks you to slow down and actually look at the world you’re playing in. While the Mermaids could have used a bit more "teeth" and the careers could be more varied, Sulani remains the most beautiful and reactive world Maxis has ever built.
To get the most out of it, stop trying to win the game. Just go outside, talk to a dolphin, and maybe try not to get hit by a volcanic rock.