Fripp Island South Carolina

Local folklore positioned Fripp as one barrier island where Blackbeard stowed away his treasures. Today the discovered treasures include Fripp’s three miles of sandy beaches, casual lifestyle, exceptional oceanfront golf courses and semi-tropical resort setting. Not a bad bounty!

 A private gated community, Fripp attracts permanent residents, seasonal residents and tourists. The island is located halfway between Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia. It is a nature-lover’s paradise: A wide marsh and estuarine system separates Fripp from the larger St. Helena’s Island to the northwest. Fripp boast beautiful white sand beaches along the Atlantic, the width of the beach varies widely based on seasonal tides and the shifting offshore sandbars.

 In addition to providing a security force and fire/rescue squad, the island developers also maintain their own bridges, roads, paths, parks, and beach access routes. Oceanfront homes typically price well above $1 million, but many are designed as rental homes with six or more bedrooms. Second row, creekfront or marshfront homes are available with stunning views for substantially less money.

 Fripp Island is a relatively new residential development. Because it’s located at the eastern terminus of U.S. Highway 21, the island was used primarily as a private hunting ground from the 1800s through mid-1900s. Then, as bridges began linking the Sea Islands of Beaufort in the 1950s, a group of investors sought to build a residential resort on Fripp. After setting in place basic legal and financial foundations, a bridge arose to connect Fripp to what is now Hunting Island State Park.

 Beaufort is about 20 minutes from Fripp. Children living on the island attend St. Helena Elementary, Lady’s Island Middle and Beaufort High Schools. Beaufort Academy, an accredited private K-12 school, is about 20 minutes from the island. The nearest grocery and other shopping is in Beaufort.

Within a decade of opening, Fripp’s developers built the Ocean Point Golf Links, a Racquet Club for tennis, a sheltered marina just minutes from the Atlantic’s open water, and a variety of homes and condominium units – usually referred to as “villas” in the local parlance. In 1994, the island underwent another major development phase on its southwestern end, where scenes had been filmed for the Hollywood movie “Forrest Gump.”  An additional golf course designed by Davis Love III was built, as well as a new amenities center.

 And speaking of amenities …

 The Fripp Racquet Club provides eight fast-dry clay courts and two hard courts, all of which are used for outdoor tennis play. The Club offers tournaments, instruction, and social events throughout the year.

As for pools … Centrally located on the island is The Beach Club, which has three pools that are primarily utilized by resort guests. The Ocean Creek Cabana Club boasts three pools and a fantastically colorful and splashy pool that appeals to young children.

The Fripp Island Marina is a full-service facility with a tackle shop and convenience store serving both permanent slips and dry-slips for smaller vessels. Fishing charter boats operate from the marina and water sports equipment is available for rent.

Two championship golf courses with pro shops and driving ranges. Instruction is available.