A Peaceful Alternative to Myrtle Beach
For families looking for a quiet beach vacation, Seabrook Island’s pristine, wildlife-filled beaches and private club facilities deliver lasting memories.
Seabrook Island is a dream-like locale just south of Charleston, South Carolina. As a gated, private beach-front community, the island is free of commercial entities like fast-food restaurants. Instead, beach-going families are treated to picturesque views of sunrises over the Atlantic Ocean and sunsets over the Edisto River. For those seeking more active adventures than sunbathing on the miles of deer-filled beaches, the island’s beach club offers swimming pools, tennis, golf, and a world-class equestrian center.
White, Sandy Beaches Filled with Wildlife
Seabrook’s beaches are formed along with the point where the Edisto River meets the Atlantic Ocean. On the south side of the island, the Edisto River’s brackish water is ideal for shore fishing or crab trapping. Since waters are calm along the river, the southern beaches of the island are the perfect place for children to swim. Dolphins play near the shoreline just before sunset nearly every evening.
The eastern beaches are better suited to stronger swimmers, as the Atlantic Ocean’s undertow can be quite pronounced, especially after inclement weather. While the waves are not high enough for surfing, body boarding is popular, as are Wind Jammers.
Seabrook has abundant wildlife, including deer seen throughout the island. Piebald deer are common among the hundreds of white-tailed deer. Foxes roam the island near nightfall. Alligators sun along the golf course, and are reportedly not aggressive. Sea Turtles, while highly protected, often nest near the mouth of the Edisto River. Pelicans are also plentiful and fly in formations throughout the day.
Club Facilities and Sports on Seabrook Island
The Beach Club of Seabrook Island boasts some of the best sports facilities in the area. Two 18-hole golf courses are available, along with professional lessons for those who need them. A large pool and arcade area overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and is housed with a swimsuit cover-up friendly restaurant and island store. For those who play tennis, the Racquet Club offers social, competitive, and instructional programs for all experience levels, as well as a full-service pro shop.
The Equestrian Center’s facilities provide a unique experience to ride a horse along the beach. Besides the beach ride, pony and trail rides are available. If traveling with a personal horse, boarding services can accommodate up to 42 horses.
Kayaking is a popular activity in the Edisto River. Directly across the river is a private island known for its stunning seashells, but can only be reached by boat. There are also several sandbars that are accessible by kayak during tide shifts. The sandbars offer close-up views of the dolphins. If Kayaking seems like too much work, boats may be rented from the Bohicket Marina, located just beyond the Seabrook Island security gate.
Renting a House on Seabrook Island
When planning a stay at Seabrook, do not look for a hotel room, as there are none. Instead, Beachwalker Rentals and ResortQuest on Johns Island offer villas and houses for rent. Accommodations vary in both price and size, but generally range between $100 per night for a villa in the offseason, to $1500 per night for a four-bedroom house, also during the offseason. Prices are highest during the peak of the summer vacation season, from the middle of June until the end of August. While many properties come with access to the Beach Club amenities, some accommodations require a $25/day fee if using the Beach Club.