Fripp Island Golf & Beach Resort isn’t just another family vacation to a golf resort- it is a reimagined Lowcountry escape where your family can immerse themselves in nature and resort amenities. Our family spent a few unforgettable days exploring the island, and were enchanted by the moss-draped oaks, free-roaming deer, and pristine beaches that left us filled with wonder and joy, along with lasting memories. Use our review to help you plan your own memory-making vacation to Fripp Island!
Special Thanks to Fripp Island Golf & Beach Resort, along with Buffalo Groupe, for hosting our family on the island!
What is Fripp Island Resort?
Fripp Island, a private island in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, is situated just east of Beaufort. One of a string of barrier islands along the coast, Fripp offers over 3.5 miles of uncrowded sandy beaches, rental homes, and two scenic golf courses – Ocean Point and Ocean Creek- that span the entire island.
There are 10 restaurants, a racquet club, an equestrian center, a marina center, and a fantastic activity center with special activities daily!
There are no hotels on Fripp, but visitors can stay in beautiful beach houses, villas, or condos—many of which are uniquely decorated and privately owned.
🌟Tip: We recommend renting a golf cart from the resort or bringing your own from home when you visit the island. This is the easiest and safest way to travel around the island. Plus, it is so much fun, especially for kids! Our six-year-old said that riding the golf cart around was her number 1 favorite thing about our trip, go figure.
A Resort in Harmony with Nature: The Wildlife
Fripp Island Resort is a haven for vacationers who love nature but still want comfort and convenience. Not only is the resort clean and organized, but it is also home to an abundance of wildlife.
The Famous Deer on Fripp Island
After entering the island’s security gates, you will almost immediately see a deer or two grazing in the grass. The island is known for them, and it is a very unique experience! The docile deer can be seen throughout the island, hanging out by the roadside, and even from your back porch, munching away and living their best lives. We counted at least 50 just cruising around on our golf cart, but it was cool to see one traveling across the dunes. Our daughters were thrilled to spot baby fawns up close—it felt like something out of a storybook.
Alligators
In addition to deer, you may see a couple of the 160+ alligators that call the island home. Most of the ones that we saw were only a foot or two long, but we did get a distant view of a couple that were 5- 10 feet long, including Arthur and Gwen (located in the ponds off Ocean Creek Boulevard). Signage is posted throughout the island to remind visitors to keep a safe distance, especially with small kids. Your golf cart makes for a great (and safe) observation platform.
Other Wildlife You May See
During our trip, we saw a greater variety of wildlife than I have ever seen in person. From herons, vultures, egrets, and other seabirds, to crabs, snakes, raccoons, we were always on the hunt for the next things to see. We even got to see a bald eagle on the beach take flight. Core memory made!
Nature Boardwalks Through the Marsh
Aside from a quick drive around the island on a golf cart to view wildlife, there are several boardwalks through the marsh that will give you a much better view. We were invited to take a marsh tour with a fantastic and highly knowledgeable naturalist, Hannah. It was the best way to start our trip.
We learned so much, and Hannah was so engaged with our children that it made the experience educational and fun. We saw a feeding egret, tons of crabs and clams, learned about the ecology and native flora and fauna of a marsh in the Lowcountry, and even got to taste a plant called a “salty sea pickle”.
I highly recommend the guided marsh walk, but you can also ride your bikes or take a self-guided walk through one as a great morning or evening activity.
🌟Tip: Walk the marsh boardwalks at both low and high tide to see a dramatic difference! We learned during our guided marsh walk that the island has the highest tides in the entire United States.
The Beaches at Fripp Island Resort
Unlike other popular SC beaches, Fripp’s shorelines are peaceful and uncrowded—even during busier months. You’ll have plenty of space to stretch out, search for shells, or simply relax.
During our beach time, we saw a lot of cannonball jellyfish- which do not sting- along the shoreline. During calmer water days, you may even see dolphins swimming off the coastline. We saw a variety of seabirds, including the large groups of brown pelicans, which were a treat every time they came by. Our kids loved searching for shells, which is a rite of passage in my book.
The beaches at Fripp Island do not have lifeguards, so be cautious when entering the water and watch for signs of wildlife or rip currents, which occur regularly off the SC coast.
Beach Access: Fripp Island
There are 32 beach access points across Fripp Island, so you can choose the same spot each time you visit, or switch it up and explore the different entry points. We enjoyed beach access #21 and #25.
Tent and Umbrella Rentals
The beach does allow umbrellas and tents, which is perfect for shade. You can make reservations with The Beach Hut, where you can rent chairs and umbrellas (along with a variety of other beach items). Reserve ahead of time!
The Fripp Island Resort Pools
There is not just one pool you can access, there are nine pools on the island! You will find them at the five separate complexes, including the Beach Club, Olympic, Marina, Ocean Point, and Cabana Club. We visited the pools at The Cabana Club and the Olympic Pool at the Beach Club, and they were perfect for our kids and us to play for most of the day.
Our personal favorite was the pools at The Cabana Club near Veranda Beach. This pool has a fantastic location, with views of Skull Inlet and Pritchard’s Island as your backdrop. There are three pools at The Cabana Club, one of which is heated. We visited during early May, so it was nice to enjoy a swim without the bite of cold water.
The lagoon pool at the club was gorgeous! There were carved-out structures and caves with little waterfalls throughout, it was by far my six-year-old’s favorite pool. A small children’s pool with a cute frog slide is located at the back of The Cabana Club, perfect for our three-year-old to safely splash and play.
The Beach Club at the center of the island offers an Olympic-style pool that is also heated until Thanksgiving, so you can enjoy a swim or get some exercise while there.
The Fripp Island Activity Center Should Be Your Daily Stop
The Fripp Island Activity Center is the place to go if you have younger kids. There is something to do every single day of the week. Some of the activities are free, including a meet and greet with the animals. There are also a couple of really neat reptiles upstairs at the activity center you can view and learn about for free.
We loved Gatorology—a class and tour led by naturalist Hannah, that included learning about alligators and safely spotting them in the wild. Our kids even got to meet and touch a resident gator. So neat!
Other activities, like crafting, golf course scavenger hunt, tie dying, guided marsh walks, and more, cost a fee ranging from $6 – $15. Here is where you can also go to experience Marsh Kayaking (~$60-$80) or Island Bike Adventure (~$35).
Our entire family loved these activities, especially since a lot of them could be experienced indoors. We had a good bit of rain during our visit to Fripp, but these activities kept our kids engaged and having fun.
For 2025, during the summer months, kids ages 5 – 15 can join Camp Fripp for half-day or full-day camp and become a Junior Naturalist. While they are at camp, you can grab breakfast with your partner at The Beach Club!
Fripp Island SC Rentals: Homes, Condos, and Villas
There are several options for Fripp Island rentals at the resort, depending on availability and your budget. For smaller families, the villas would make a great affordable option for your vacation. The Villas are close to the center of the island, near The Beach Club, the arcade, and the Olympic Pool, so you’re right near a lot of the activity.
If you are staying with family or a group of friends, we recommend splitting a home for the week. Most rates during the summer are by the week, so keep that in mind when booking.
We were invited to stay at a lovely vacation rental off of Veranda Road on the south end of the island, and it was a fantastic experience. The home was gorgeous, and the back porch had a direct view of a pond. Our daughter woke us up one morning to see that a large group of egrets were hanging out in the pond, only about 30 feet from our bedroom window!
🌟Tip: Book ahead of time so you can stay where you love! Homes on the northern side of the island may offer views of the Hunting Island State Park, while southern homes may be able to see Prichards Island.
Dining at Fripp Island Beach & Golf Resort
There are several restaurants right on the island, so you do not have to travel far to grab breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
The Beach Club (Great for breakfast). My husband enjoyed the Banging Burrito, so much so that he ate it for breakfast every day. The kids both loved the waffles, which they loaded with fruit and whipped cream. We dined in and carried out, and both experiences were great.
Bonito Boathouse (Fantastic dinner views). The beautiful views of the waterways and the boats will keep your kids calm for dinner while you enjoy your meal. We were even treated to a pod of dolphins passing by while we ate our dinner!
Island Bites (Great for quick eats). If you are looking for a quick bite to eat or lunch for picky eaters, then Island Bites is where to go. You can get fries, chicken nuggets, coffee, ice cream, and all the treats.
Key Things to Know Before You Go
- There are a lot of wild animals, so be cautious and follow all the rules about the local wildlife. There are signs posted at every location where alligators may be hanging out.
- Bring bug spray, as the marsh environment is a breeding ground for bugs of all kinds.
- When you arrive, you will need to check in with security and receive a parking permit for the duration of your stay. This will help you enter and exit the island without issue.
- Booking your rental ahead of time is key.
- There are no lifeguards on the beach. Come prepared with life jackets for children if they need them.
Fripp Island Golf & Beach Resort far exceeded our expectations. It’s a place where kids can connect with nature, parents can relax, and families can make genuine, lasting memories. Whether you’re spotting deer, walking through the marsh, or splashing in a waterfall pool, Fripp makes magic happen.
