A small, mostly residential community next to Parris Island
Shell Point sits across the marsh from one of the largest military bases in the country. Parris Island, as it’s known, is the only Marine Corps Recruit Depot on the East Coast, drawing around 20,000 hopeful recruits to Beaufort County each year. It’s one of the main reasons a lot of people move to Shell Point. Local broker and Co-owner of RE/MAX Dream, Christopher Skrip says, “It’s right there next to Parris Island and only a short drive from the Air Station, so it’s a lot of military families over there.” Because Shell Point’s low-lying, waterfront streets are southeast facing, “you can hear the rifle range off in the distance,” he says. “It’s actually kinda cool, the bullets sound like little hammers.” Though the mostly residential community has a heavy military influence, Skrip says Shell Point is home to a good mix of residents. “The newer places will have some younger non-military families, but the older ranch-style homes have a lotta (non-military) people who’ve lived there for 30 to 40 years.”
The Shell Point neighborhood sits across the marsh from Parris Island.
Shell Point residents enjoying a family moment at nearby Henry C. Chambers Park.
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New construction around the southern waterways
A four-lane highway cuts through Shell Point, dividing the community into two residential subsections. On the northside, there are mobile homes on quarter-acre lots, waterfront cape cods with full-length front porches and some older ranch-style homes, too. This traditional ranch-style architecture is common across the whole Shell Point community, especially on the southside. New construction single-family homes began popping up in planned subdivisions around the southern waterways in 2023, but Skrip says this isn’t the norm. “Most of the homes were built between the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s.” Because of their age, “a lot of them were built in flood zones and require higher flood insurance,” he says. Listings throughout Shell Point are far more affordable than the multi-million dollar estates directly across the water. Here, most homes cost between $200,000 and $450,000.
Shell Point homes offer quiet and peaceful living near military bases.
New single-family homes are rising in Shell Point subdivisions.
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Easy commute to Parris Island and the Marine Corps Air Station
Skrip says a lot of buyers choose Shell Point because “it’s so close to Parris Island.” The historic Marine Corps Recruit Depot sits just across the Cross Archers Creek Bridge about 5 miles southeast of Shell Point. Near the north border, the Parris Island Gateway intersects with Savannah Highway and quickly connects to the Marine Corps Air Station. From the base, Historic Downtown Beaufort is only 5 miles away. Shell Point residents can head across the adjacent Edward Burton Rogers Bridge to access Hilton Head Island in about 30 miles and continue 40 miles south to arrive at the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport.
The historic Marine Corps Recruit Depot sits just 5 miles southeast of Shell Point.
Shell Point is next to Parris Island, which draws around 20,000 hopeful recruits each year.
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Riverview Charter students finish the year with a trip to Costa Rica
Riverview Charter School began in 2009 as the first public charter school in the Beaufort County School District. It scores an overall A-minus on Niche and offers a kindergarten through eighth grade curriculum. Students culminate their time at Riverview with a ‘Capstone’ trip to Costa Rica. Battery Creek High receives a B-minus from Niche.
Battery Creek High School is committed to the students of Shell Point.
Broad River Elementary School where the children of Shell Point thrive.
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Catch flounder off the Broad River Fishing Pier
Moss-draped crape myrtles outline the wide, open green space at Shell Point Park. The paved loop walking trail passes by a playground decked out in patriotic colors, a fenced-in dog park and a couple of pickleball courts, too. Locals set up lawn chairs on the Broad River Fishing Pier to spend days reeling in flounder and watching the sunset over the horizon. While most depots are closed to the public, Parris Island invites anyone to enjoy the on-site golf course or tour military displays at the Parris Island Museum.
Shell Point locals are attempting the perfect catch at Broad River Pier.
Shell Point residents can find many spots around Port Royal to go fishing.
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Find Marine Corps merch at Devil Dog Headquarters
Skrip says, “Groceries and everyday conveniences are within 5 to 10 minutes” of Shell Point. Residents head to the Food Lion at Midtown Village for groceries and household essentials. A few doors down in the same shopping center, Devil Dog Headquarters is the go-to place for local Marine Corps merchandise. Folks can head right across the street to grub on burgers and rosemary fries at Fat Patties. Ryan’s Famous Pizza & Subs sits even closer to Shell Point and serves anything from classic Italian specialties to Hibachi shrimp.
Devil Dog Headquarters is the go-to place for local Marine Corps merchandise in Shell Point.
Devil Dog Headquarters offers an extensive line of Marine Corps wear in Shell Point.
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Photography Contributed By
Phara Laplante
Video By
Houston Knight
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Robert Sedgwick,
an experienced agent in this area.
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