Bluffton

Daufuskie Island is unlike any other part of Beaufort County. It floats just across from Hilton Head Island, between the Calibogue Sound, Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean. Since bridges don’t connect the two islands, locals must take the ferry or use their own boats to buy groceries or get to work on the mainland. Though it’s a bit of a commute, islanders like Andrew Mason “appreciate the privacy” of their Lowcountry home. Owner of Daufuskie Properties Realty LLC and longtime resident, Mason says, “I think the vast majority of people here are looking for a quieter place, away from it all.” Most locals use golf carts to get around the island’s sandy dirt roads and “most everything revolves around the outdoors,” he adds. “In essence, this is where people go to become part of a real community and to basically enjoy a simpler, more straightforward way of life.” On Daufuskie Island, “everything revolves around the outdoors,” Mason says. “The beach and the ocean are a huge deal around here.” Comprising almost the entire east coast, the 3-mile stretch of sand is a popular place for locals to hunt for conch shells, sand dollars and starfish. “It’s never crowded so you get a lot of peace and serenity just walkin’ along the shore,” Mason adds. Residents can explore the ocean by kayak or head across the island to paddle board through saltwater creeks. While surfside fishing is quite common, the western waterways make for some of the best shrimping and crabbing grounds in the Lowcountry. In 2021, Mason says, “the whole island came together and built a playground for the kids.” Adults can enjoy their very own playground at the Haig Point Club, which boasts a championship-level golf course, equestrian stables and pickleball courts. According to Mason, Daufuskie Island’s housing market is “really diverse.” “We have expensive waterfront homes with boat docks,” while further inland, “There’s relatively inexpensive homes where you can grow your own vegetables and such.” The gated Haig Point community features the island’s most expensive vernacular estates along with colorful beach cottages and some cape cod townhomes, too. These residents have access to a long list of amenities, including a championship-level golf course, on-site restaurants and private community beach access. Listings for waterfront properties typically start at $1.25 million, while the other Haig Point homes can range anywhere from $400,000 for a two-bedroom townhome to $900,000 for a single-family home. Throughout the rest of Daufuskie Island, there’s one- to three-bedroom bungalows starting around $200,000 and similar-sized beachfront condos for $500,000 to $600,000. Whether it’s a quarter acre wooded lot or a one and a half acre oceanfront lot, buyers have plenty of room to build their dream homes. These listings can range anywhere from $15,000 or a $500,000. Mason says the whole island comes together for a community dinner each year on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. “Everyone on the island is welcome to come and bring their own dish; we have islanders who’ll roast a big pig and cook turkeys while others will bring the sides.” He says the event is so big that “a lot of people who own vacation homes here will actually come into town specifically for the big dinner.” D’Fuskies is a local general store with just about anything – from homemade pizzas to everyday groceries and household items, too. Award-winning local artist, Chase Allen sells his nautical-themed iron sculptures out of a historic home he’s named The Iron Fish Gallery & Studio. Locals and vacationers spend summer evenings grubbing on fresh seafood and watching the sunset from the dock at Daufuskie Crab Co. More local shops and popular restaurants are just a short ferry ride away on Hilton Head Island. Daufuskie Island sits within the Beaufort County School District. The island’s only public school is Daufuskie Island Elementary. After fifth grade, students ride the ferry to Hilton Head Island Middle, which scores an overall B on Niche. Hilton Head Island High receives an A-minus and offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Locals have a one-hour commute to Hilton Head Island via the Daufuskie Island Ferry, which runs four times daily. Mason says Haig Point residents “finance their own 24-hour private ferry system.” Residents can also hop on a water taxi or take their own boats across the water. Back on Daufuskie Island, Mason says “residents may have trucks, cars and several golf carts to get around.”

Palmetto Bluff has been a playground for the rich and famous since its inception in the early 1900s. Its 32 miles of riverfront and secluded Lowcountry landscape initially attracted some of New York’s most elite families, including the Vanderbilts. Today, Maria Skrip says, “it’s still just as exclusive.” Skrip, a local broker and co-owner of RE/MAX Dream, says, “There’s a huge five-diamond hotel over there called The Montage. It has this beautiful spa that I’ve actually been to, and I mean, wow - it is very posh.” In fact, she adds, “Haley and Justin Bieber got married in the little chapel right there a couple years back.” Around the hotel, there are a couple of riverside restaurants and a neighborhood market, but it’s mostly riverfront homes and Lowcountry recreation in Palmetto Bluff. “It’s a little off the beaten path, but that’s what makes it so ultra-exclusive,” Skrip says. “There’s nowhere else in Beaufort County quite like Palmetto Bluff.” Palmetto Bluff is divided into two subdivisions featuring English, French and Greek architecture with a contemporary twist. Renowned developers, the South Street Brothers began developing the luxury gated community in the early 2000s. They started with Wilson Village. Outlined with neatly laid, red-brick sidewalks, this section includes the Montage Hotel and May River Golf Course. Its more traditional, Southern-style homes feature deep front porches that blend in among moss-draped oaks. Moreland Village is a bit more contemporary, with most homes built after 2015. Lower sloping roofs and larger windows highlight the waterfront and marshland views. In terms of flooding, Skrip says, “It’s kind of a mixed bag of tricks in there.” She adds, “Pretty much – if it’s a waterfront property, it’s probably going to require flood insurance.” As of 2024, Palmetto Bluff’s annual POA fees were just over $11,500, along with an additional $40,000 one-time initiation fee. The listing prices demonstrate it’s “ultra exclusivity,” Skrip says. “I’d be surprised if you can find anything under a million in there.” She’s right. Besides the empty land lots, which start at $500,000, most of the listings in Palmetto Bluff range between $1.5 million and $5 million. From premier golf courses and resort-style pools to bass fishing and boating, Palmetto Bluff offers some of the South’s finest outdoor recreation. Jack Nicklaus carefully designed the eco-friendly Paspalum turf fairways at the May River Golf Club. Golfers can try a different way of playing on the new, reversible 9-hole course. The Wilson Lawn and Racquet Club has two croquet lawns, eight tennis courts, and six pickleball courts. “They’ve also got a shooting range and an equestrian center over there,” Skrip says. “I’ve actually sold several homes to real-deal horse people in Palmetto Bluff, and they all say the facilities are incredible.” The neighborhood stocks largemouth bass and bream in its manufactured lakes; but with 32 miles of riverfront and community boat docks, it’s easy for residents to set sail and spend a day deep sea fishing. The annual Buffalo Run is one of the biggest days of the year in Palmetto Bluff. Honoring the buffalo that used to live on the Bluff, the event features a 10K, 30K and 50K trail race through the Lowcountry land. Palmetto Bluff’s private farm supplies fresh produce for all the local restaurants. Residents and other club members can enjoy a fine dining experience right on the river at Canoe Club. Over in Moreland Village, Cole’s is another members-only restaurant with a 17-seat bar and big-screen televisions. Anyone can sit down and order a Lowcountry coastal dish at Buffalos. Fine meat cuts, fresh seafood and homemade pastries are found at RT’s Market. Reminiscent of an old general store, this neighborhood staple sells groceries and a long list of wines. The Beaufort County School District serves Palmetto Bluff. Pritchardville Elementary earns a B-plus on Niche. H.E. McCracken Middle is an arts-integrated STEAM school that scores an A-minus. May River High also gets an A-minus. Its remodeled campus features a state-of-the-art media center with a central coffee café. Old Palmetto Bluff Road leads outside the gates and connects to State Road 46. Also known as May River Road, SR 46 connects to Old Town Bluffton in about 10 miles and Hilton Head Island in about 20 miles. The highway links to Interstate 95, which runs north-south along the entire East Coast. From here, it’s just 30 miles to the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport.

The entrance to Cypress Ridge, lined with evenly-spaced palm trees and split by a well-manicured median, leads to a central roundabout. From there, narrow residential streets shoot around large lagoons, robust amenity centers and 21st-century tract housing. “Cypress Ridge feels very welcoming,” says local Realtor Kevin Lombard of Weichert Realtors Coastal Properties. He’s sold homes in the area for about five years. “As you drive in, you’re looking at these large, waterworks lagoons with fountains. You’ll see basketball hoops in driveways and people walking on the trail.” The lower housing prices are a significant draw. “It’s a really good value,” Lombard says. “Especially since you get a lot of really nice amenities.” Along the neighborhood’s sidewalk-lined streets are a mix of single-family houses and townhomes. Contemporary colonial and new traditional single-family homes sit on close-quartered, manicured lots. They have classic vinyl siding, shuttered windows and two-car garages. Each house has a small cement driveway that extends to paved streets where kids ride their bikes, and pet owners walk their dogs. “It’s a very family-oriented neighborhood,” Lombard says. “So you’ll often see kids playing basketball or hanging out with friends.” Single-family homes cost between $420,000 and $620,000. The contemporary colonials tend to cost closer to $550,000, offering over 2,500 square feet. Townhomes feature between 1,200 and 1,800 square feet, with two to four bedrooms. These typically cost between $250,000 and $400,000. The Reserve at Cypress Ridge, a gated sub-community, features Southern-style cottages at prices between $480,000 and $550,000. Cypress Ridge has two amenity centers. The Mill House Sports Complex features a zero-entry pool with a winding lazy river and small waterfalls. Plus, it has a splash pad for the kids. The Sports Complex also features a three-story fitness center, two tennis courts and a basketball court. The other amenity center is located off Hulston Landing Road. It features an additional resort-style pool and an indoor pickleball court. There’s also a gated dog park that backs up to the woods. A one-mile paved walking path overlooks one of the community’s lagoons, often busy with joggers and casual strollers. The community dock provides a spot for folks to enjoy catch-and-release fishing. The Beaufort County School District scores an overall A-minus on Niche and serves nearly 22,000 students. Pritchardville Elementary School scores an overall B-plus on Niche, and H.E. McCracken Middle School has an A-minus. Niche ranks the middle school as the second-best overall public middle school in Beaufort County. May River High School, built in 2016, features several student clubs, like the animal welfare club and chess club. Niche gave the high school an overall A-minus. May River Crossing is a small shopping center about 3 miles from Cypress Ridge. It has a Publix, Great Clips and a few service businesses. It’s also home to the Ice Cream Stop, which has soft-serve ice cream, floats, milkshakes and brownie sundaes. About 5 miles away, Buckwalter Place offers additional shopping and restaurant options. The shopping center features a Kroger and a Publix. It’s also home to Tio’s Latin American Kitchen, a popular restaurant with tacos, tamales and enchiladas. Southern Barrel Brewing Company has French fry baskets, burgers and craft brews. Many residents use bikes or golf carts to get around the community. When leaving, they typically drive. Okatie Highway runs just outside the community and connects with Business 278 about 5 miles north. Coastal Carolina Hospital is about 12 miles away, adjacent to Interstate 95. The Savannah Hilton Head International Airport is about 20 miles away.

Through the front gates at Berkeley Hall, an infinity pool with meticulously adorned greenery overlooks a lagoon and a perfectly centered water fountain. Past the pool and down Berkeley Hall Boulevard, custom homes overlook championship golf courses, dense woodlands and sleepy lagoons. Where Berkeley Hall Boulevard reaches Good Hope Road, a finely manicured lawn extends to a Jeffersonian mansion, home to all things social in Berkeley Hall. From the gates to the mansion, it’s hard for local Realtor Kevin Lombard to deny this private golf club community’s beauty. “Berkeley Hall is one of the most elegant communities we have in the region,” Lombard says. He's sold homes with Weichert Realtors Coastal Properties for about five years. “It’s absolutely gorgeous, and they’ve done a wonderful job at landscaping. It’s very classic and upscale but also very comfortable.” And the golf courses are a big selling point. “When people tell me they want to live in a golf course community, this one always lands right at the top of the list,” Lombard says. Berkeley Hall has a limited number of homes and undeveloped lots. It’s one of the lowest-density, private golf communities in the Lowcountry. Most houses sit on a golf course, but there’s a couple of homes tucked along the water. These are typically mansions with long, private docks and price tags between $1.5 million and $5 million. Many of these waterfront homes have over 7,000 square feet. Inland homes are typically $1 to $2 million mini-mansions between 3,000 and 6,000 square feet. Each house is custom to the original owner. “There’s not one home in there that’s not custom,” says broker Maria Skrip of RE/MAX Dream. Skrip has sold homes across the region for nearly 15 years. She resides in Bluffton. “They didn’t have a builder, so everybody went in and hired their own builder. Now, you can name a particular style of home, and you’ll find it there.” The Beaufort County School District scores an overall A-minus on Niche and serves nearly 22,000 students. Okatie Elementary School receives an A-minus on Niche, and Bluffton Middle School has a B-plus. May River High School features several extracurriculars, from Academic World Quest and DECA to chess club and the May River Readers Book Club. Niche gives the high school an overall A-minus. Skrip says most people move to Berkeley Hall for its golf courses. The two Tom Fazio-designed courses include views of the Okatie River, marshes and small lagoons. Frequent elevation changes and seaside grasses challenge newcomers and pros who golf throughout the week. The 14,500-square-foot Spa and Fitness Center is a hub of additional recreation. Outside the facility, tennis and pickleball courts host various programs. Inside, folks enjoy Pilates, yoga and barre classes. There’s also an indoor pool and cardiovascular strength equipment. Plus, sauna rooms and spa treatment areas provide spaces to relax. River Park, along the banks of the Okatee River, has a community dock where locals fish or look for dolphins. Fishing gear is complimentary. It’s a popular spot for oyster roasts, sunset cruises or kayaking trips. The park also has 10 miles of nature trails, including access to the Berkeley Hall Greenway. The 35,000-square-foot Clubhouse is breathtaking. Or, at least, that’s how Skrip puts it. “Let me tell you, it’s just gorgeous,” Skrip says, “It has this huge green in front of the mansion that’s so nice.” The Clubhouse is the heart of any social activity. It has formal dining rooms, casual bars and complimentary breakfast. The full-season Verandah hosts formal dinners with upscale ingredients, like lobster and tuna. Its Tap Room is more casual, and folks enjoy a glass of wine or a craft ale. There’s a few more restaurants in the heart of Okatie, about 4 miles away. Cantaritos Mexican Kitchen offers favorites like arroz con pollo and enchiladas. The restaurant sits directly behind a Food Lion. Two big roads wrap the community’s golf courses, often busy with folks on golf carts. Residents also bike around the community. Business 278 is accessible just outside the front gates, which leads toward Hilton Head Island, about 12 miles east. Coastal Carolina Hospital is about 10 miles west. The Savannah Hilton Head International Airport is about 30 miles away.

Rose Hill Plantation has all the makings of a classic private community in Bluffton. It has a golf course, Clubhouse, community dock and tennis courts. But what helps this community stand out is that it's divided into two sides: the estate and the golf sides. The estate side is unlike any other community in the area. It features custom southern-style homes on several acres where many residents have horses. And it's home to the Rose Hill Equestrian Club, known for its Charity Polo Classic. Plus, it sits along the Colleton River and has deep-rooted live oaks. "Because of when it was developed, it has these huge, beautiful trees," says broker Maria Skrip of RE/MAX Dream. Skrip lives in Bluffton and has sold homes with her husband, Chris Skrip, since 2010. "If I'm showing a client this community, and they're nature lovers, they just fall in love. The landscaping is just so mature." Most properties on the estate side cost between $1 million and $2.5 million. This price tag affords one to four acres of land and a home with at least 3,000 square feet. "Lots are larger on the estate side, usually a couple of acres," says broker Kristy Gonzalez of ERA Evergreen Real Estate. Gonzalez has sold homes across the region for 15 years. "Some people purchase these lots so they can have horses, but others just want the space. It's hard to find larger lots like these in this area." Each home is custom on the estate side, but Gonzalez says there's a noticeable southern style. They have large front porches, gabled roofs and symmetrical exteriors. "Estate is a good way to describe these properties," Gonzalez says. "They're all removed from the road in a very quiet spot, whether on the marsh, the river or woodlands." On the golf side, homes are less expensive, and lots are smaller. There's a mix of new traditional and ranch-style homes with around 2,000 square feet, at least three bedrooms and lots under a quarter-acre. These homes cost anywhere between $550,000 and $800,000. The Beaufort County School District scores an overall A-minus on Niche and serves nearly 22,000 students. Okatie Elementary School receives an A-minus on Niche, and Bluffton Middle School has a B-plus. May River High School features several student clubs, from Academic World Quest and eSports Club to Vex Robotics Club and the May River Readers Book Club. Niche gives the high school an overall A-minus. The Rose Hill Golf Club features an 18-hole, Gene Hamm-designed course that sprawls across the golf side. The course is open to the public, and community members don't need to purchase a membership. "There's also a rather pretty nature preserve on the golf side," Gonzalez says. "Many houses back up to it, and it's perfect for walking." Plus, the golf side is home to the Tennis Club of the Lowcountry, which requires membership. "They have a very large and competitive tennis team," Skrip says. "It's highly ranked and very competitive. My friend loves to play tennis there." The facility features six clay courts, six lighted courts and a clubhouse with showers and locker facilities. On the estate side, the Rose Hill Equestrian Center has stables and a polo field. The center is known for its Charity Polo Classic, an event led by residents of Rose Hill that dedicates its proceeds to various Lowcountry charities. "People dress up like they're going to the Kentucky Derby," Skrip says. "Businesses will rent a spot on the polo field, put up a tent and then decorate it. They'll have best-dressed and best-hat contests. It's really fun." The estate side also features a community dock, which provides access to the Colleton River. Fair Winds Bar and Grill is a casual dining spot at the Rose Hill Golf Clubhouse. The restaurant has sandwiches, wraps, salads and more. It also has a full bar and a screened-in patio overlooking the golf course. And they occasionally have live music, according to Skrip. Old Town Bluffton, about 5 miles away, has additional dining options. Captain Woody's Seafood Bar is a local favorite in Old Town, known for their Woody's seafood platters and sea sandwiches. Mi Tierra is another popular spot with authentic Mexican cuisine. Kroger is about 3 miles away in Belfair Towne Village. Locals typically use golf carts or bikes to get around Rose Hill. Business 278 runs outside both community gates, leading toward Hilton Head Island, about 10 miles east. Coastal Carolina Hospital is about 11 miles west and sits right before the entry ramp to Interstate 95. The Savannah Hilton Head International Airport is about 30 miles away.

Eagle's Pointe is one of the few communities in Bluffton and Hilton Head without a front gate. And that was at the request of its residents. "The interesting thing is it used to be a gated community," says broker Maria Skrip of RE/MAX Dream who lives in Bluffton and has sold homes across the area for nearly 15 years. "They voted to take the gate down because they didn't want to pay the prices of a gated community. With low HOA fees, the community has the amenities and upkeep of a private community without the gated entrance. "It has a beautiful entrance, and it's very manicured with mature trees," says broker Kristy Gonzalez of ERA Evergreen Real Estate who has sold homes in the region for about 15 years. "And you don't have to belong to the golf club, so the HOA fees are affordable." The homes are also well-priced for the area. Construction of Eagle's Pointe began in 1998, and within five years, 249 homes were built. They are new traditional in style, with classic vinyl siding, and sit on manicured, quarter-acre lots. Houses typically measure 1,900 square feet to 2,600 square feet and have three or four bedrooms. Prices range from about $400,000 to $600,000, lower than many surrounding communities. "It's one of the more affordable communities in the area," Skrip says. "The houses aren't your typical starter homes, but the next step up." Homes along Muirfield Drive, the community's main road, offer views of the golf course or the central lagoon. Most streets have sidewalks, and residents spend a lot of time walking. "Neighbors are always outside talking to each other or out walking their dogs," Gonzalez says. The Beaufort County School District scores an overall A-minus on Niche and serves nearly 22,000 students. Okatie Elementary School receives an A-minus on Niche, and Bluffton Middle School has a B-plus. May River High School offers a robust course catalog, from automotive technology and welding to sports medicine and social media marketing. Niche gives the high school an A-minus and ranks it the county's second-best overall public high school. The Eagle's Pointe Golf Club operates an 18-hole course designed by RBC Heritage Champion Davis Love III. The course is open to the public, and membership is optional. It includes small lagoons, sand bunkers and towering pine trees. Additional recreational amenities include a hard-surface tennis court and four pickleball courts in the community's heart. The Junior Olympic swimming pool keeps busy throughout the year. There's also a picnic area, an outdoor entertainment center and a playground for the kids. Residents don't have to be golf club members to enjoy the community's amenities. The Grille at Eagle's Pointe is a popular spot for lunch, open to everyone. The restaurant serves burgers, bratwursts and chicken sandwiches from the grill, plus BLTs and build-your-own sandwiches. Residents typically grab lunch after a morning on the course. Additional dining options are down Buckwalter Parkway in Berkeley Place, about 2 miles away. The shopping plaza features local spots, like One Hot Mama's, known for their pulled pork sandwiches and baby back ribs. It also features Cinemark Bluffton, where locals catch the newest flick. About 3 miles away, in Buckwalter Place, there's a Kroger and Publix. Eagle's Pointe is a small community, so residents typically use golf carts or bike to get around. Business Route 278 runs outside the community and leads to Hilton Head Island, about 11 miles east. Access to Interstate 95 is about 11 miles west. Coastal Carolina Hospital is located right next to the I-95 entry ramp. The Savannah Hilton Head International Airport is about 27 miles away.