Located 18 miles from the city of Beaufort, this 3,000-acre island has miles of white sandy beaches to explore and miles of bike paths to ride between the Atlantic Ocean and inland marshes. Fripp Island is also a designated wildlife sanctuary and provides a home for a variety of animals including alligators, turtles, deer, and more than 80 species of birds. You may even catch a glimpse of a bald eagle here.

Thanks to its location on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, the waters surrounding Fripp Island are abundant with fish, crabs, oysters, and clams. Head to one of the island’s premiere restaurants to sample them as the catch of the day.

Two world-renowned Fripp Island golf courses provide the opportunity for a casual game, or the perfect place to work on your back nine. With a handful of easily -accessible nearby islands, a seaside water park, and gorgeous sand to sink your toes into, Fripp Island offers countless opportunities for both recreation and relaxation.

Fripp Island’s location on the southeastern shore of South Carolina provides a relatively stable year-round climate. Though the peak of Fripp Island’s apartment rental season is in the summer, the island never feels crowded. Holidays on Fripp Island are especially exciting, with special events hosted on Easter, Memorial Day, and Thanksgiving — though arguably the most action-packed holiday events are on the Fourth of July, when the island hosts a Sand Sculpture Competition among other festivities. If you’re looking to swim, the waters are best in the summer.

Penn Center on St. Helena Island

Near Fripp Island is the historic St. Helena Island. Here you can visit the Penn Center, where freed slaves first went to school after the end of the Civil War. The Penn Center preserves and celebrates the history of Black Americans in South Carolina during Reconstruction and the Civil Rights Movement.

Hunting Island Lighthouse

To get one of the best views on the eastern seaboard, take a day trip over to nearby Hunting Island and climb up the historic Hunting Island Lighthouse — the only lighthouse in South Carolina that is open to the public. The 167 step spiral staircase leads 132 feet above ground, where you can take in the shimmering waves of the Atlantic Ocean in all its glory. Be prepared that there is a small fee to be paid upon entry.

Dolphin Watch on a Day Cruise

You can feel the warm South Carolina sun on your skin aboard one of the multiple fishing and sightseeing ships available from Fripp Island. Aboard these ships, you can safely observe pods of dolphins that love to crest the waves and play. Learn about the local history and ecosystems around the island from your guide, all while watching the gorgeous sunset on the horizon.