$979,415Average Value$540Average Price per Sq Ft14Homes For Sale
Seclusion and lush landscapes on Wadmalaw Island
Wadmalaw Island, South Carolina, calls itself the ‘back porch of Charleston.’ About 10 miles long and 5 miles wide, the island is shielded from the Atlantic Ocean by its neighbors to the east and south. Instead, it’s bordered by rivers – the Bohicket and Edisto. The only way on and off the island is a small bridge on Maybank Highway that crosses Church Creek. The area is as rural as it gets, with a few homes scattered throughout. What this island lacks in major restaurants, hotels and shopping centers, it makes up for in lush green landscapes.
Wadmalaw Island blends rural charm with coastal living.
Church Creek Bridge offers easy access to Wadmalaw Island.
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Life on the water
Fishing, crabbing and shrimping are part of everyday life on Wadmalaw Island. A popular spot among locals and visitors alike is the Cherry Point Seafood Company. “So many people from Kiawah, Seabrook, the whole Charleston area bring their boats there to pick up fresh shrimp during the season,” says Bob Nitkewicz, a luxury property consultant for Dunes Properties who has been selling in the Charleston area for 12 years. Locals can also hop on a canoe or kayak to explore the wetlands and waterways around the island. When they aren’t on the water, many hunt deep in the secluded woods. In 1960, the Lipton Company used the region as grounds for a tea farm. William Barclay Hall later purchased the tea, and the 127-acre Charleston Tea Garden came to be. People can take a trolley through the scenic gardens or get an up-close look at how the tea is made during a factory tour. Locals also stop to take a picture with Waddy the Frog, the garden mascot, who is permanently seated on the front porch with a cup of Charleston Tea. Deep Water Vineyard is the only domestic winery in the area, but there’s much more to do on the 48 acres of land than drinking a glass of Lowcountry red. There’s a petting zoo, walking trails, a large pond and a garden.
Boating and fishing remain favorite pastimes on Wadmalaw Island.
Cherry Point offers scenic spots for fishing on Wadmalaw Island.
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Mossy oaks shade expansive estates
Driving around the bends of narrow roads shadowed by moss-covered oaks will reveal acres of marshlands and woods protected from development. Residential privacy and acreage are among the biggest draws for potential buyers, with some houses sitting on as many as 30 acres, leaving room for horse stables, pools and private waterfront docks. “You could see a mobile home on the side of the road, and behind it, there might be an estate home,” says Bob Nitkewicz, luxury property consultant for Dunes Properties, who has been selling in the Charleston area for 12 years. Other common styles include colonials, modern farmhouses and elevated coastal houses. “Homes on the lower end typically start around $400,000 and can go up to $3 to $4 million,” says Nitkewicz.
Modern farmhouses offer privacy and acreage on Wadmalaw Island.
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Stomping grapes and oyster roasts at Deep Water Vineyard
Each February, Deep Water Vineyard plays the backdrop for Charleston’s Corn Shuckin’ Festival, when neighbors can mingle over oysters, barbecue and sweet treats. Local bands perform, and the vineyard treats visitors to a wine and vodka tasting. Locals can channel their inner Lucille Ball during the vineyard’s Grape Stomp Festival. People can even dress up as the famed comedian and enjoy some friendly competition in a costume contest. Like the other events held here, there is live music, food and wine tastings.
Scenic vineyards and shaded trails welcome visitors to Wadmalaw Island.
Wine tastings and live music draw visitors to Deep Water Vineyard.
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Environmentally friendly schools in Charleston County
Edith L. Frierson Elementary is the only school on the island and has a C-plus rating from Niche. The school recently participated in the South Carolina Green Steps program – an environmental education initiative teaching prekindergarten through sixth-grade students through hands-on learning in the school’s garden and reducing waste through food-share fridges. Students zoned for the Charleston County School District later feed into Haut Gap Middle School and St. John’s High School on John’s Island, which Niche gives A-minus and C-plus ratings, respectively.
Edith L. Frierson Elementary serves local families on Wadmalaw Island.
Haut Gap Middle School educates students from Wadmalaw Island.
St. John’s High School supports upper grades near Wadmalaw Island.
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Tomato pies and Lowcountry boils at local eateries
Crossing Church Bridge into John’s Island reveals locally owned shops and restaurants along Maybank Highway. People head to Blackbird Market, less than 10 miles from the heart of Wadmalaw Island, to order the tomato pie off the special menu. “Back in the day, Wadmalaw Island, and most of the Charleston area, were home to a lot of tomato farms,” says Nitkewicz. The market has a few specialty grocery items. Simply Seafood is known for its Lowcountry boils – locals can take their pick from crab, shrimp, or crawfish served piping hot with corn, sausage and potatoes. Live music fills the air at Tattooed Moose, where regulars return for the duck club sandwich and duck fat fries. There’s also a Food Lion nearby for grocery runs.
Wadmalaw Island residents love to shop for fresh local food at Blackbird Market.
The Tattooed Moose near Wadmalaw Island on Johns Island has a delicious duck club sandwich.
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Less than 20 miles from Charleston
Wadmalaw Island’s rural location makes for longer commutes to the beaches and city amenities in the greater Charleston area. Traveling nearly 23 miles along State Route South 10-20 leads to the sandy shores of Kiawah Island. State Route 700 is what locals take to get to the heart of downtown Charleston -- rich in history, culture, and shops, and has a bustling food scene. The city is nearly 19 miles east of Wadmalaw Island and provides access to medical care at MUSC Health University Medical Center. Those who want to travel outside the city by air can drive along the highway for about 25.5 miles to reach Charleston International Airport.
Tree-lined roads provide scenic drives across Wadmalaw Island.
Sunny days invite outdoor fun on nearby Kiawah Island.
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Written By
Sara Ferguson
Photography Contributed By
Jon Puckett
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
K. Arek Manakyan,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Wadmalaw Island, SC sell after 86 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Wadmalaw Island, SC over the last 12 months is $1,300,000, up 24% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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