Callawassie Island

 

Surrounded by salt marshes and tidal creeks, Callawassie Island, South Carolina, is a Lowcountry gem centrally located near Bluffton, Hilton Head Island, and Savannah, GA, with easy access to the Savannah International Airport. This gated community sits 10 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean, at the confluence of Callawassie Creek and the Little Chechessee, Okatie, and Colleton Rivers.

Named by the Yemassee tribe, which lived there until the 17th century, for its “calm waters,” the island is accessible by a private causeway guarded by security 24/7. The 880-acre community features over 700 home sites, with more than 500 residences already built. It includes amenities like golf courses, racquet courts, and plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Nature lovers searching home listings for Callawassie Island real estate will be delighted to learn that the island is also a certified national wildlife habitat. If you love outdoor living and access to open space paired with convenient amenities, you’ll find everything you want in this non-age-restricted community that welcomes families, professionals, and retirees alike.

• Award-Winning Community: Callawassie Island was named one of America’s 100 Best Places to Live and a Top 100 Amenity Community by ideal-LIVING Magazine.
• Wildlife Habitat: The island features 11 miles of salt marsh and is surrounded by tidal creeks that support marine life, shorebirds, alligators, and deer. It was designated as South Carolina's first Community Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and is a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.
• Waterfront Homes: Island homesites include custom homes, villas, cottages, and lots where you can build your dream home. Some waterfront homes include private docks. Discovery visits allow opportunities for visitors to explore the community’s homes and amenities.
• Ample On-Site Amenities: Buying homes for sale in Callawassie Island, SC, means access to community amenities like golf, swimming pools, docks with watercraft, clubhouses, and racquet courts.
• Activities and Social Clubs: Residents enjoy hiking and biking, nature programs, water sports, and access to over 50 active social clubs for sports and hobbies.
• Opportunities for Philanthropy: Friends of Callawassie Island (FOCI) offers active support for local non-profits.
  
  

For house hunters seeking the perks of gated communities in and around Hilton Head Island, life on Callawassie Island is punctuated by opportunities for an active lifestyle amid the beauty of nature.

One major draw for many residents is access to the award-winning Tom Fazio championship golf course, featuring 27 holes across the three looping nines of Dogwood, Magnolia, and Palmetto that start and end at the Pro Shop. You can join as a Callawassie Island club full member, with access to the courses and a practice facility featuring a driving range and putting range, or you can pay as you go.

The Clubhouse, located next to the Pro Shop, is a social hub of the community, with a restaurant and bar, community events, and an adult-only pool and firepit overlooking marshland. Residents can also take advantage of The River Club, which offers a restaurant, bar, family swimming pool, and docks with scenic river and marsh vistas.

Residents can also access four community docks with leased slips, kayak launches, and opportunities for fishing, crabbing, and shrimping. The on-site fitness center features state-of-the-art fitness equipment, spa facilities, and a group fitness room with a full schedule of classes, along with professional trainers offering options like bootcamp, TRX, yoga, Pilates, and spin.

For outdoor sports, visit the Racquet Sports Pavilion, comprised of six Har-Tru tennis courts, four pickleball courts, and on-site pros to help you improve your game. You can also hit up island-wide walking paths bordered by live oaks and other native plants for hiking, biking, and jogging.

You’ll find delectable dining options on-site at Callawassie Island, SC, most notably at The River Club, where chef RJ Dye curates globally inspired, seasonal menus featuring dishes ranging from oyster roasts and pork belly to spaetzle and pho. The Clubhouse restaurant is a great place to grab a drink and a meal after a round of golf, or socialize at a wine and art event.

For shopping, you can head to nearby Old Town Bluffton for a boutique experience. You can also visit Hilton Head Island to wander the many shops at Tanger Outlets Hilton Head I and II, Shelter Cove Towne Centre, and The Village at Wexford.

This community has plenty of entertainment right in your own backyard, from hiking and bird watching to water activities like canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. You can also choose from dozens of social clubs and groups to join, whether you love bocce ball or mahjong. There’s a kids’ camp, as well.

For additional activities, take a day trip to nearby Savannah, GA, to enjoy access to museums, concerts, and local sporting events. Those who buy Callawassie Island homes for sale enjoy endless opportunities for an active lifestyle in a gated community with proximity to urban amenities.