Fripp Island, South Carolina

Fripp Island, SC
Fripp Island Fast Facts

These are little tidbits of information about Fripp Island. Want to sound like a Fripp Island expert? Show your friends and family that you know more about this exquisite island off the coast of South Carolina than they do? Then read on...

History

Fripp Island is named for swashbuckling Captain Johannes Fripp. King Charles of England rewarded Fripp with this island in the 1700s for his defense of the English settlement of Beaufort from marauding French and Spanish. Legend has it that many pirates plied these waters and that Captain Fripp himself buried treasure here.

Location

Fripp Island is located just 19 miles east of Beaufort. South Carolina. Beaufort is midway between Savannah and Charleston, across the Port Royal Sound from Hilton Head Island. A private bridge to access the island was built in 1963.

Beach

The Fripp Island coastline offers you 3 1/2 miles of beach facing the Atlantic ocean.

Sounds Like

Unlike Beaufort, North Carolina (which is pronounced BO-fort), South Carolina's Beaufort is pronounced BYOO-fort.

Historic Beaufort, South Carolina

Founded in 1711, this charming historic town claims 500 years of history by the sea and lies just 19 miles west of Fripp Island. Beaufort has been the romantic location film set for many Hollywood movies including Something to Talk About, Forrest Gump, The Great Santini, Daughters of the Dust, The Big Chill, and Forces of Nature. Beaufort is the hometown of Pat Conroy who wrote The Prince of Tides, also filmed in Beaufort and on Fripp Island. The entire downtown area is a historic district and boasts many charming restaurants and shops. House museums and the Beaufort Museum are open to the public.

Climate

Fripp Island residents can enjoy a pleasant semi-tropical environment all year round. The summer months bring a 88 degree high average temperature. Swimmers will be happy to hear the Atlantic Ocean reaches a balmy 80 degrees in summer. Winter high temperatures are approximately 60 degrees on Fripp.

Ocean Creek Cabana Club

Fripp Island Resort's newest recreation addition is the Cabana Club, a $2 million water wonderland. This seaside water park features a meandering "lagoon" pool with secret caves and waterfalls, a children's pool complete with alligator slide and giant frog fountain, a heated oval pool and a bubbling spa for total relaxation. Poolside Willie's Wet Bar and Sandal's, a casual restaurant, keep guests refreshed. Julep's offers swim incidentals and funwear.

Golf

Fripp Island offers two different golf courses - one by the ocean and the second situated near expanses of tidal marsh. Ocean Creek Golf Course, 6,510 yards, is the first signature course of PGA Tour great Davis Love III. The exotic foliage on this acreage attracted the film makers of Forrest Gump and the live version of Disney's The Jungle Book before the construction of this course. The second course, Ocean Point, was designed by George W. Cobb. This 6,590 yard course is a must for lovers of seaside play and scenery.

Tennis

Guests of Fripp Island Resort are entitled to one FREE hour of tennis per unit per day in the 10-court Racquet Club complex which has 8 Fast-Dry courts and 2 hard surface courts. A free rating clinic is offered, with instructional options from a USPTA pro.

Resort Vacation Homes

3,000 acre Fripp Island Resort has a collection of approximately 300 homes to choose from. Each home is equipped with an electric kitchen, microwave and dishwasher, washer / dryer, central heat and air conditioning and cable TV with VCR. During the summer months, these comfortable homes can be rented on a weekly basis.

Dining & Shopping

The Fripp Island Beach Club houses both The Beach Club Restaurant, and the Oceanview Room. Bonito Boathouse Restaurant & Sunset Lounge are located at the Fripp Island Marina. Hugo's Cafe & Deli is located at Ocean Point Golf Links' Clubhouse, while the 19th Hole is housed in the clubhouse for Ocean Creek Golf Course. Seasonal dining spots and lounges include The Sandbar and Lil' Dipper at The Beach Club and Willie's Wet Bar and Sandal's restaurant at the Cabana Club.

 

Shops at the Olympic Pool Village and Cabana Club carry beach supplies, clothing, tee-shirts and gifts. At the Visitor's Center, you can find T.T. Bones General Store and Spirits, a beauty salon and a gift shop. Naturally, there are fully-stocked pro shops at both the Racquet Club and the golf clubhouses. Finally, the Marina Store carries boat supplies, bait, tackle and household staples.

Transportation

A golf cart is the favorite means of leisurely transportation on this resort island. Many residents rely on golf carts as their primary means of transport. Vacationers can forget cars and join the fun by renting carts by the day or week.