Come enjoy the warmth on the South Carolina coast this winter! A Fripp Island getaway is a great way to escape the cold and relax in your own private home or villa. The beach is less crowded during the colder months and invites casual strolls and taking in the crisp breezes blowing in from the Atlantic. When you're ready for adventure there are tons of things to do on and off the island. Take a look at our 10 Top Winter Activities and start making memories!
Play a round of golf.
Fripp Island has two professionally-designed golf courses. Ocean Creek, designed by PGA champion Davis Love III and Paul Cowley, meanders through beautiful marshes and is playable at all skill levels. Ocean Point, designed by George Cobb, provides ocean views and plays like a links style course.
Play Tennis or Pickleball.
Fripp Island Racquet Club offers 8 Fast-Dry tennis courts and 2 hard surface courts. You can also enjoy the Pickleball courts with your friends and family as this game is designed for all ages.
Tour the island by Golf Cart.
Toodle around the island in your golf cart and enjoy all the nature and wildlife. Fripp is home to hundreds of bird species as well as deer, alligators, dolphin and more.
Go Boating.
Fripp Island Resort rents 17' or 21' Carolina skiffs and Island Spirit Rentals offers kayaks. Get out on the water and explore the marshes and inlets; you're bound to see dolphin on this fun adventure.
Go Shopping on the island.
There are a couple great shops on Fripp, including Mango's, featuring coastal home décor and gifts, the Fripp Ship, with logo apparel and Springtide Market with everything from boogie boards to sunscreen and lunch. You'll also find some fun logo clothing at the Marina Store which has a deli and boating supplies.
Go horseback riding.
Take off for a few hours and adventure down the trails of St. Helena Island with Camelot Farms Equestrian. Trot down roads and paths past beautiful old live oak trees and island palms. If you've always wanted to ride on the beach, Camelot offers the Coastline Ride to St. Helena Sound and Donna Heist Horseback Riding offers St. Helena Beach excursions as well as Hunting Island trips during December and January.
Stroll through Beaufort.
Spend the day meandering along the waterfront in Beaufort and visit the many shops on Bay Street. And be sure and visit the Beaufort Candy Shoppe or the other sweet spots. From upscale apparel to surfside beach gear, you'll find something for everyone on your day into town. Beaufort also hosts a variety events throughout the cooler months. Check the calendar.
Explore the history of the Lowcountry.
Beaufort and the surrounding Sea Islands have a cultured past dating back to the 16th century when Spaniards arrived at Port Royal. By 1711 the English had a stronghold and Beaufort was founded. Visit the Beaufort Cemetery or Beaufort History Museum and learn about the rich heritage of the area. An afternoon at the Penn Center is a great adventure for the whole family and check out the guided tours by carriage or golf cart to see even more.
Take the kids for a day of local fun!
Stop by Kazoobie Kazoo, a unique kazoo factory where they can make their own masterpiece or shop for a take home favorite. Next stop, head over for a couple rounds of putt putt at Glow Country Golf. These activities are perfect, rain or shine!
Spend the day at "home"!
Last but not least, enjoy a relaxing day at your Fripp Island vacation rental. The villas and homes on the island create the perfect island sanctuary where you and your family and friends can gather, relax and enjoy creating new memories. Plan a wonderful meal with many Dining-In options, including fresh shrimp and seafood. If you're feeling creative and looking for fun, how about booking a paint party? Or maybe you're ready for a little pampering; treat the whole gang to a personal massage with Girl Friday Wellness The possibilities are endless!
Find your perfect winter getaway!
Off Season Things to Do
With an extended Fripp Island vacation, you'll have time to take in all that the island and surrounding area has to offer. You can enjoy the island amenities, including a few rounds at the two championship golf courses, and a pick up a game of pickleball or tennis. If you've always wanted to horseback ride on the beach, off-season is the perfect time. The weather is great during the cooler months and the pace on Fripp has slowed to offer a relaxing, carefree island vacation.
You can rent bicycles, golf carts, kayaks, fishing boats and paddleboards.
Sweater Weather
As the weather cools during fall and winter on Fripp Island, enjoy leisurely strolls along the beach. It's the perfect time to don your favorite sweater or hoodie and take in the quiet beauty of the island. October and November bring warm, sunny days with highs in the 70's. During the off-season, between December and February, brisk days in the 60's call for hot toddies on the deck, wrapped up in your favorite blanket.
Bird Watching
The quieter months on Fripp Island provide a great opportunity to see dozens of shorebirds.
Part of the Beaufort Barrier Islands Important Bird Area (IBA), Fripp and surrounding Islands are home to over 182 species of birds, some of which are permanent residents while others are winter visitors or migrating through as part of the Atlantic Flyway. The six barrier islands start at the southern tip of the Saint Helena Sound and extend south to the entrance of Port Royal Sound. Along with it being a part of the Beaufort IBA, the South Carolina legislature named Fripp Island a Bird and Animal Sanctuary.
Fripp Island is home to hundreds of species of birds: Great Egrets, Oyster Catchers, Black-bellied Plover, Sandpipers, Pelicans, Painted Buntings, Common Tern, Great Blue Herons, White Ibis, Dunlins, Marsh Hen and many more. From our beautiful beaches to our salt marshes, tidal creeks and rivers, Fripp Island is a wonderland for birdwatches and nature-lovers alike.
Bring your binoculars and see how many different species you can find.