The Beaufort Sea Islands
As a Beaufort Realtor, I get a lot of questions about coastal and island living in Beaufort County. Home buyers are often familiar with our many sea islands but unaware of just what makes each one a unique real estate treasure. If you are new to Beaufort or curious about our many sea islands and what makes them so special, this blog is for you! I'll walk you through the details, real estate information, and must-stop attractions along the Sea Island Parkway.
Photo Courtesy of Beaufortsc.org
Lady’s Island
Our first stop is just over the bridge from Historic Downtown Beaufort. Close to both of the beaches and downtown, Lady’s Island is a great place for young families. On Lady’s Island, you are situated in the middle of all Beaufort has to offer, and you are never far from a grocery store, school, park, or restaurant.
Notable Stops on Lady’s Island: Fillin’ Station, Mameem and Maudie, and Qs Chicken Shack. If you live on this sea island you are always close to a grocery store; Publix is on Sea Island Parkway and there is a Harris Teeter coming soon! There are also several schools close by for those with families: Beaufort Academy K-12, Lady’s Island Elementary, Lady’s Island Middle School, Coosaw Elementary, St Peters Catholic School, Hobbit Hill and Sea Island Presbyterian Preschool are all located on Lady’s Island.
Real Estate Highlights: Some of my favorite neighborhoods on Lady’s Island are Celadon, Newpoint, Pleasant Point, Coosaw Point, Tuxedo Park, Oyster Bluff, Royal Pines, Telfair, and the brand new Academy Park, which is still under development.
Cat Island Golf, Pool, and Restaurant
Cat Island
Cat Island, technically still part of Lady’s Island, also benefits from its proximity to downtown Beaufort. It is located between the Port Royal Sound and Coosaw River, so residents can enjoy beautiful coastal views, stunning home sites with well established oak trees and palms, as well as neighborhood wildlife native to the surrounding wetlands.
What Sets it Apart: A large benefit of this community is its ample waterfront property and its resort-style amenities— community pools and tennis courts. Cat Island is also a well-established golf course community, home to Secession Golf Course, which is among the most prestigious memberships in the U.S. So much to say, Cat Island is one of the most desirable real estate locations in the Beaufort area.
Photo courtesy of Beaufortsc.org
St. Helena Island
The next location in our string of beautiful islands and teeming with rich history is St. Helena. Only five miles from Beaufort, St Helena has an abundance of farms and shrimp docks, the former even offering U-Pick options seasonally. According to BeaufortSC.org, St. Helena, “offers visitors a glimpse into rural Lowcountry life past and present. St. Helena is home to the Penn Center, one of the first schools for the children of freed enslaved persons, and the location of a small rural cottage, where Martin Luther King, Jr. drafted his famous ‘I have a dream speech’.”
Notable Stops: St Helena has a fabulous little downtown area with shops, art galleries and restaurants. Some of my favorites are Beedos Burgers, Shrimp Shack, Foolish Frog, Johnson Creek Tavern, Macdonald Marketplace, and Lowcountry Cider Company. St Helena Elementary School is also located on the island.
Real Estate: St. Helena is home to both beaches and rural land, most of which is still worked by native residents who contribute significantly to the local economy with farming and fishing businesses. There is an availability of lots for those who are looking to build in a rural location. For those looking for the beach atmosphere, Dawtaw and Distant Island both branch off of St. Helena. Residents can enjoy the businesses downtown while also experiencing beach living.
Photo courtesy of BeaufortSC.org
Harbor Island
Famous for its sweeping coastal views and natural sea grasses, Harbor Island is a private island located just 15 miles outside the city of Beaufort. A desirable location to buy or build a retirement or vacation home, Harbor Island is between St. Helena Island and Hunting Island, the natural beauty of Harbor Island creates a vacation retreat experience year round. A peaceful, gated community known mostly for rentals and investment homes, Harbor Island features a variety of vacation properties and condominiums to accommodate couples, families, or large groups.
Notable Stops: Beaches and Marshes! Three outdoor pools, tennis courts, a putting green, and three miles of pure, untamed, sandy white beach create a private vacation playground unlike any other. Check out the Cedar Reef Condos to get an idea of all Harbor Island has to offer.
What Sets it Apart: Harbor Island is a private retreat with the added benefit of being located across from Edisto Island— a great day trip for boaters looking for wildlife and adventure.
Fripp Island
In just a short drive past Hunting Island, you will find Fripp Island Golf & Beach Resort. Lauded as one of the best South Carolina beach resorts, due to its wide selection of rental properties for families, retirement, and romantic getaways. It houses two top-ranked golf courses, and miles of untouched, picturesque beaches, home to the Fripp Island deer!
Notable Stops:The furthest Island from mainland Beaufort, Fripp is known for having all of the comforts and luxuries you can think of. The resort has several restaurants and shops, my favorites are Cabana Club and Benito Boathouse.
Are you interested in scheduling a tour, purchasing or selling a sea island home in Beaufort County? I would love to help! Give me a call at 843-252-3558 or email me at hello@welcomehomebft.com. I can also be found on Instagram @welcomehomebft and Facebook— Annie Powell- Keller Williams Realty