FRIPP island?

[TnTWalter]

We're planning our summer vacation and are thinking about Fripp Island, SC. Has anyone been? Opinions? Location recommendations, etc. appreciated.
We'll probably go with a couple other families so we're planning on renting a house. Trying to be budget friendly.

Thanks.

Trish

 

[MrsPete]

We're planning our summer vacation and are thinking about Fripp Island, SC. Has anyone been? Opinions? Location recommendations, etc. appreciated.
We'll probably go with a couple other families so we're planning on renting a house. Trying to be budget friendly.

Thanks.

Trish

Fripp is a private island; you have to be an owner or a renter to enter. It's very "natural" -- kind of like Kiawah or Hunting Island. More nature-oriented than nearby Hilton Head. We saw deer several times. It's very quiet and family-oriented; don't expect bars or parties.

I don't think there are any hotels on Fripp -- JUST condos and houses. We stayed in a condo area on the Northermost corner, but I can't remember the name. Our two-bedroom townhouse was very nice: well-equipped kitchen, nice living room, washer/dryer.

Also, the island has only two restarants, both quite expensive. Very little in the way of restaurants just off the island too -- plan to cook. The grocery stores are some distance away. It's really a bring-your-own-fun type of place.

The beach is very narrow, and it essentially disappears at high tide. The island has three pools, and all renters are allowed to use any of them. Golf carts and bikes are the typical mode of transportation.

I haven't been in years, but it's a pricey place. Even with a couple other families, expect to pay a good bit.

If you're REALLY on a budget, you might look next door at Hunting Island State Park. The cabins are nothing luxurious, and there are no pools, but you can rent a two-bedroom cabin (with one bath and a full kitchen) for less than $600/week. We LOVED Hunting Island, but it's not everyone's cup of tea. Even if you don't stay there, do make a day trip. You can climb the old lighthouse, and you'll find literally hundreds of sanddollars washed up on shore at low tide (this is not true at Fripp, even though it's so close!).

 

[Pixie Dust Luver]

I agree with MRSPETE, I live in Beaufort, where Fripp Island is located,you might even consider Hilton Head,SC. You have the beach, as well as a Mall and lots of shopping areas, including 2 outlets.Ooodles of resturants. I stayed at Fripp Is. once when my sister rented a condo, and it was okay, they did have a community pool at the condo,but everything is spaced so far apart.

Good Luck!

 

[TnTWalter]

But I want to make sure there's stuff for the kids to do....crabbing, biking, watching turtles, swimming in pools, wandering the beaches...

IS THERE AN AREA THAT DOESN'T LOSE THE WATER during a tide? That's where I'm concerned...what location offers us some ocean during the day to explore?

I'm hoping after rental & random expenses we'll be about $2K per family. I found a few houses to rent for around $2400-$2700 total. They include 1-2 cards and 1 golf cart so we'd have to get the extras for the adults only [right?].

We'll drive down so I'm going to load van with groceries. I love to cook so making meals is not a problem.

We'd love to hit Hunting Island...it's funny we did consider camping there instead...hmmm. WE camp around here all summer [with our boat] so I was thinking something a tad more luxurious! ;o)

But maybe that's something to consider...hmmm.

I also thought it would be fun to visit Beauford. There are restaurants there correct? We could do that one day as an adventure...

Trish

 

[cocodog]

Fripp is not budget friendly. Last time I was there, several years ago, they had gone to a cashless charge system for everything. Not too much to entertain children, if that's a consideration-- although my children saw an alligator there. I agree with the other posters in that you might enjoy some place like HHI more. Fripp is nice, but I would classify it as more of a laid back place for the homeowners to enjoy.

Oops-- edited to say that it looks like you have done your research and Fripp might suit your needs. You might also consider a Harbor Island house. This is much smaller island, just a few minutes from Fripp toward Beaufort. More economical and closer to Beaufort. Last time I was there, they had priveleges at Fripp.

Beaufort is about 30 minutes from Fripp-- you will have to pass through on your way there. You will enjoy your time in Beaufort-- small time but lots of shops and restaurants, and very scenic area.

Have fun!

 

[Pixie Dust Luver]

DUe to beach erosion, when it is High tide, there is virtually little beach left, when the tide is low, you will have lots of beach area.

My SIL camps at Hunting Island, and loves it, as far as seeing turtles, I can't remember when I did see one. I think Hunting Island still has the pier that you can fish from, and probably crab as well, if you have a crab trap.

The water front park in Beaufort should be open then after a major overhaul,
and if you come in the month of July they have the Water Festival which is a week of activty. I will pm you some of the links,but I really think HIlton Head would be nicer, and as far as the mall on Hilton Head there is only one and it is very small, nothing like the city malls. lol. You might even consider Disney at
Hilton Head, they have a resort,not like the Magic Kingdom.

 

[newscick27]

My husbands uncle is part owner of a home on Fripp, and we went there last year and absolutely loved it!!! It is so private, it does take some time to get used to the tides (we usually visit gulf shores AL where its not a problem) but when it is low tide its fun to go looking for sand dollars, you can find tons! There are also deer everywhere which is neat, there are very tame. The pools are great especially with kids. We will be going back in June!

Have fun
Laura

 

[Pixie Dust Luver]

I will also agree with Cocodog, to check in at Marsh Harbor Island. MY sister also rented a condo there, and I liked it so much more. When the tide was out we walked and walked found sand dollars, star fish,if I had the choice of the two I would go with Marsh Harbor Island, and it is right next to Fripp.Even when the tide was in, we still had some area to walk.

 

[LisaG]

Edisto Beach, SC gets my vote for the best low-key beach vacation. It feels like a throw-back to the 1960s...one tiny grocery and nothing but older beach homes. Lots to do for the kids...bike trails, fishing, kayaking, and family bingo nights at the Lion's Club. IMHO it is less expensive than Fripp.

 

[Pixie Dust Luver]

I have never been to Edisto Beach, but my former supervisor has built a home there,and I have heard nothing but good things about it. I think this should be a consideration as well.

Looks like TntWalter is going to have lots of reseaching to do.Good Luck

 

[kilee]

My aunt owns a home on Fripp Island. I've never been, but my parents go often. I know the one thing my mom always says- is how quiet it truly is. She did say she feels pretty isolated there.

 

[java]

Hmm Our favorite is Kiawah. It is low key in a way- no malls ect.. but fancy in others in that there are restaurants and you can rent beach setups for the week(my kind of vaca!) It is secluded once you enter Kiawah- but if you want to go exploring Charleston is only about 20 minutes away. I mention Kiawah because of the Nature Activities they have! The kids would have a blast. They have something going on all hours of the day- everything from ocean kyacking to tie dying to shell collecting to bird watching- to ocean signing(drag a net through the shore and see everything that lives there! Crabbing... We stay for a week and are never every bored- but also spend days just lying on the beach playing in the sand. There is a pool- or if you go upscale and rent a house with a pool there is the privacy. There is a small market inside the island as well as a larger one about a 7 minute drive outside the gate. There is a shopping area with a restaurant an art gallery a couple of high end clothing stores(like 2) and an ice cream shop- oh and the bike rental place. It is a golf resort but we don't golf at all and still found plenty to do. There is a nature center right on property and you can do as much or as little as you want. They have a great kids program in the summer if the kids want to go do something with other kids for either the AM or the whole day. They do things like "learn to sail" with the tweens and the younger ones do things like sandcastle contests. It is really a lovely place to visit. We are going to head there this summer I think after writing all this. I always love just hanging around there.

 

[MrsPete]

But I want to make sure there's stuff for the kids to do....crabbing, biking, watching turtles, swimming in pools, wandering the beaches. .

There's the beach and the pool. That's pretty much it. I'd bring along games and sports equipment.

IS THERE AN AREA THAT DOESN'T LOSE THE WATER during a tide? That's where I'm concerned...what location offers us some ocean during the day to explore?

No, the whole beach is GONE during high tide. Totally GONE. Of course, that doesn't mean all day long -- just twice a day it's gone.

On the plus side, the water is super-shallow for a long, long way out, so it was great for my toddlers, and because the island is private, the beach was often literally empty -- LOTS of privacy.

We'll drive down so I'm going to load van with groceries. I love to cook so making meals is not a problem.

I love to cook too, but on vacation I do enjoy an occasional meal out!

We'd love to hit Hunting Island...it's funny we did consider camping there instead...hmmm. WE camp around here all summer [with our boat] so I was thinking something a tad more luxurious!

Just information for the future: I have never camped at Hunting Island, but the campgrounds look very nice. We stayed in one of the state's rental houses. It's an old house, probably from the 50s -- not luxurious, but also not camping. It has two bedrooms, one bathroom, a living room with a fireplace, and a full kitchen. Out back it has a little "clearing" with a very private backyard, a picnic table, and grill. A private path led to the beach.

 

[MrsPete]

Edisto Beach, SC gets my vote for the best low-key beach vacation. It feels like a throw-back to the 1960s...one tiny grocery and nothing but older beach homes. Lots to do for the kids...bike trails, fishing, kayaking, and family bingo nights at the Lion's Club. IMHO it is less expensive than Fripp.

I love-love-love-love-love Edisto. It's quiet and laid-back, and it doesn't have the stuffy, upper-crust 'tude that's sometimes evident on Fripp. Edisto has a couple little greasy spoons (you could wear jeans to any restaurant in Edisto) and a couple little touristy shops.

On the other hand, Edisto lacks the nature-preserve feel of Fripp and Kiawah.

Edisto is definitely for the budget-minded beach-goer.

 

[MrsPete]

Hmm Our favorite is Kiawah. It is low key in a way- no malls ect.. but fancy in others in that there are restaurants and you can rent beach setups for the week(my kind of vaca!) It is secluded once you enter Kiawah- but if you want to go exploring Charleston is only about 20 minutes away. I mention Kiawah because of the Nature Activities they have! The kids would have a blast. They have something going on all hours of the day- everything from ocean kyacking to tie dying to shell collecting to bird watching- to ocean signing(drag a net through the shore and see everything that lives there! Crabbing... We stay for a week and are never every bored- but also spend days just lying on the beach playing in the sand. There is a pool- or if you go upscale and rent a house with a pool there is the privacy. There is a small market inside the island as well as a larger one about a 7 minute drive outside the gate. There is a shopping area with a restaurant an art gallery a couple of high end clothing stores(like 2) and an ice cream shop- oh and the bike rental place. It is a golf resort but we don't golf at all and still found plenty to do. There is a nature center right on property and you can do as much or as little as you want. They have a great kids program in the summer if the kids want to go do something with other kids for either the AM or the whole day. They do things like "learn to sail" with the tweens and the younger ones do things like sandcastle contests. It is really a lovely place to visit. We are going to head there this summer I think after writing all this. I always love just hanging around there.

I also love-love-love-love-love Kiawah. It is definitely the best choice if you want lots of organized kids activities. They can rent bikes (even tandems), take part in canoe trips, learn to do new crafts -- of course, none of this is free!

Kiawah and Fripp are both high-priced islands, but Kiawah does have a nicer beach and more activities. I can't say that I saw ALL the accomodations on the islands, but the condos I stayed in on the two islands were really equal in quality/luxury.

 

[cocodog]

Yep, remember that you must be dressed to go to dinner at Fripp.

 

[TnTWalter]

bout SC on DIS...Love it!

Oh my but I'm almost more confused! LOL.

Fripp Island does have a Camp Fripp for kids fyi that I've read about. I'll look into Kiawah island as well.

I found a house on Hunting Island....how cool does this look??
http://www.realtimerental.com/rrv10/visitor/pview_new.asp?mp=1356B1389o0OL&md=34342#pic1

Edisto and Hunting sound nice....
Marsh Harbour? Is this Harbour?

So confused.

Trish

 

[jama]

We LOVE Fripp Island! I agree it is not for everyone. If you like alot of entertainment, amusement parks, water parks, shopping while you are at the beach you will not be happy. But we love the quiter, slower pace for a beach trip. We like having space on the beach and not being crowded. My kids love playing in the ocean in the waves. They also spend many hours playing in the sand. We find many star fish and sand dollars in the ocean- (no, we don't keep them).
There are many activities you can do as a family or just the kids. We have done some of them like seining (sp?), sand castle competition. There usually is a magician one night and Rick Hubbard (Kazoobie Band) one night.
There is also golf and tennis.
We also like to fish. We have chartered a boat ride- saw alot of dolphins! This summer we are going to try deep sea fishing.
We enjoy the pools on the island. It doesn't take long to get to them.
The kids like going to different pool on different days.
There are a couple of restaurants and a sandwich/ pizza/ ice cream shop. I don't think they are too expensive and last year were good. There is a small market on the island which is of course more $ than Publix in Beufort but conveniant. It does take ~30min to get to Publix or super walmart.
The best place to stay on the island is center - near the Beach Club.
We have always rented through www.vrbo.com.
If you think of any questions, I'll try to answer them. I can try to post pictures if you want.

 

[jama]

I really don't know why people are saying Fripp is so expensive. We find it is less expensive compared to Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, or Kiawah.

 

[cocodog]

bout SC on DIS...Love it!

Oh my but I'm almost more confused! LOL.

Fripp Island does have a Camp Fripp for kids fyi that I've read about. I'll look into Kiawah island as well.

I found a house on Hunting Island....how cool does this look??
http://www.realtimerental.com/rrv10/visitor/pview_new.asp?mp=1356B1389o0OL&md=34342#pic1

Edisto and Hunting sound nice....
Marsh Harbour? Is this Harbour?

So confused.


Trish

Last time I was there, it was Harbor, and occasionally Harbour. I am not sure where the Marsh Harbor came from, unless it is a recent change.

Hunting Island houses book very quickly (sometimes a year ahead) so be sure and look into it ASAP if you are interested.