Cat Island

If island living appeals to you and you desire to be near all the action, Cat Island belongs on your list of destinations to consider on the Sea Islands South Carolina near Fripp. Beaufort is frequently named one of the top places to live in South Carolina. Conveniently located within a short drive of downtown Beaufort, South Carolina, this 432 acre Beaufort SC real estate development adjacent to Lady's Island and St. Helena Island offers waterfront properties with a serene natural backdrop in the wetlands. Full of abundant wildlife as well as moss-laden live oaks and palmetto trees, Cat Island is a bird-watchers dream come true, the breeding ground for multiple avian species. 

CAT ISLAND AMENITIES

• 18 Hole Sanctuary Golf Course, a George W. Cobb designed – Jeff Brauer refined course.
• Golf Clubhouse with dining
• Three Swimming Pools and Jacuzzi
• Hard Surface Tennis Courts 
• Fitness Center
• Boat Ramp

The Sanctuary Golf Club at Cat Island is home to numerous tournaments and grand events on the Sea Islands South Carolina. The 18 hole golf course was renovated in 2008 and is capable of accommodating golfers of any skill level. Members are given priority on the links, but outside play is accepted, and prices vary by season. 

A recreational paradise near Fripp, Sanctuary Golf Club is the place to go for island events; as well as for golf, tennis and swimming. The Cat Island Grill and Pub –which overlooks the 18th green – is a great location for meetings where residents can wine, dine and impress clients. Maybe folks simply want to hang out with friends & family: the club’s Springhouse Pool is much more than just a swimming pool. There is a large central pool there, as well as an adults-only pool & hot tub, kiddie pool and a sandy play area for the children. Sanctuary Golf Club also hosts an annual summer camp which offers programs in tennis, swimming and/or arts & crafts to children of local residents ages 4-12.

Cat Island’s variation of home styles, primarily built within the past two decades, is subdivided into a few distinct sections, each with their own price ranges and defining character. Of these, two are well-established and two more are blossoming. The neighborhoods at this Beaufort SC real estate development are:

• Ridge Road - This is where you will find the more upscale, newer, and most expensive residences available on Cat Island. Half of these homes have a marvelous view, and a very few select properties have waterfront access.
• Olde Tabby Park - Reasonably-priced golf course homes are the focal point of this area, and residents can take advantage of all the upscale amenities that Cat Island offers. This private gated community of only 75 homes is ideal for those who enjoy outdoor living in a friendly small-town-style atmosphere in which everybody knows each other.
• Dolphin Point and Sheffield Park are the regions currently under development, but there are existing homes available for sale there as well as numerous undeveloped lots of land.

Homes here begin in the mid $400K’s and exceed $1 million on the water. Lots for sale can be found under $100K. The best of both worlds: exquisitely-preserved old homes in Beaufort surround you with history, while the latest in technology and innovations are available in the vicinity for your healthcare and other needs. Port Royal and Parris Island are just across Battery Creek. HOA fees are low around $410 per year. 

Hunting Island State Park with its five miles of deserted beachfront, is within easy driving distance as well. Hunting Island State Park is the location of the state of South Carolina’s only publicly-accessible lighthouse. If you climb the 167 steps of its spiral staircase you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean, park and nearby marshes from about 132 feet above the ground. The lighthouse is open year-round, but during bad weather it may be closed. First built in 1859, the Hunting Island Lighthouse was created from cast iron plates, designed to be dismantled for ease of relocation – which was necessary in 1889 due to beach erosion, when it was moved inland 1.25 miles from its original spot to where it currently stands. The original lighthouse, however, was destroyed by Confederate troops during the Civil War in order to prevent Union troops from using it. Rebuilt and returned to service in 1875, the primary purpose of this lighthouse (and most lighthouses) was to warn ships away from near-shore hazards from sandbars or shoals and sunken wrecks to shallower waters and dangerous currents. The lighthouse was deactivated permanently in June of 1933. The lighthouse is a famous landmark in one of the top places to live in South Carolina. 

For families with young children, Riverview Charter School, Coosa Elementary, Lady’s Island Middle School, Beaufort High School are the closest best schools to Cat Island.