What makes Edisto unique? What is the climate like on Edisto?
Ocean breezes keep the climate pleasant in summer and the southern location keeps the temperatures mild in winter. Air temperatures range from the low 50s in the winter to the high 80s in the summer.
How do I get to Edisto by air?
The nearest airport is Charleston International Airport, located a scenic, 45-mile drive away in Charleston, SC.
How do I drive to Edisto? Highway 174 leads from US 17 to Edisto. Wind your way under moss-laden live oaks along this picturesque entry to Edisto.
Are there any hotels or motels on Edisto?
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| | No, but there are many homes and condominiums available for your Edisto vacations. You can choose from an oceanfront home like the beautiful house shown here, a home or condo within a few minutes walk of the beach, or a home on a deepwater creek with boating access. |
How many people live on Edisto?  | The 2000 US Census counted 641 permanent residents in the Town of Edisto Beach. This was an 89% increase over the 1990 Census count. Edisto Island had 2632 permanent residents counted in the 2000 US Census. |
What is the difference between Edisto Beach and Edisto Island? | Edisto Beach is a six-mile long barrier island located seaward of Edisto Island. It is surrounded by miles of sandy beaches and rich salt marshes and is incorporated as the Town of Edisto Beach. Edisto Beach is comprised of beach homes and condominiums, restaurants and shops with no highrises or traffic lights. Most of the Town is made up of single-family homes, with many used as rental or vaction homes. |  |
 | Edisto Beach is characterized as a quiet, casual, family-oriented community. |
 | The Town of Edisto Beach is separated from Edisto Island by Big Bay Creek and Scott Creek. |  |
Edisto Island is a much larger, 60-square-mile sea island, located inland of Edisto Beach. Edisto Island is more rural in character, with a number of high-end neighborhood communities located near the deepwater creeks and marshes.
What is a barrier island?
A barrier island is the outermost coastal landform, separating the mainland and sea islands from the ocean. With its combination of sandy beaches, jungle-like interior areas and salt-water marshes, it offers a unique and beautiful setting for coastal living.
Are there any golf courses on Edisto?
 | Yes, there is an 18-hole, championship golf course located in Fairfield Ocean Ridge Resort on Edisto Beach. The recently renovated course is called The Plantation Course at Edisto and is open to the public. Golf at Edisto is better than ever! |
How is the real estate market right now?  | Demand is high and increasing for Edisto property. With property values rising and real estate sales increasing, now is an excellent time to buy or sell real estate on Edisto. |  |  |  |
What are the demographic trends?  |  | | Edisto Island is on the verge of a development explosion. This once rural/agricultural area is transforming into a resort and retirement destination. The number of housing units is increasing rapidly, with an especially large increase in the number of second homes. If the rate of growth continues, the projection is a 55% increase in housing units between now and 2010. |
How many houses are there in the Town of Edisto Beach?
In 2003, there were 1,502 single-family homes and 50 multi-family homes counted. As the number of building permits continues to rise, however, the number of single-family homes will increase.
Are there many fixer-uppers on Edisto?
 | Yes. Many of the homes on Edisto Beach were built as vacation cottages for South Carolinians' summer adventures. As land values have skyrocketed, however, many of these homes are now being renovated. In some cases, the older homes are being torn down, and new homes are being constructed on these prime sites of real estate. |
Is there public beach access?  |  | | On Edisto Beach, there are 38 sites of public access along the 4.5 mile stretch of beach, located at every cross street perpendicular to the Atlantic shoreline. Edisto Beach State Park also offers public beach access, campgrounds and picnic facilities right beside the beach. |
Are there public boat landings?  | Edisto has five public boat landings. Four of these are located conveniently throughout Edisto Island and one is located in the Town of Edisto Beach at the Edisto Marina. |  |
What can you you do at the Edisto Beach State Park?
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| | This 1,255 acre park offers campsites, nature trails, picnic areas, plus educational and recreational activities on both the beach and the marsh. It is also the site of the new $3.3 million Edisto Interpretive Center, built with environmentally sustainable features. This 7,000 square foot facility is designed to teach the public about the importance of the ACE Basin and the conservation of coastal resources. When you visit, be sure to take a walk out on the Center's dock on Big Bay Creek. The view across the creek and marsh to St. Helena Sound is breathtaking! |
Are there any historic sites on Edisto?  | Yes! During the Golden Age on Edisto from 1790-1860, a series of magnificent plantations were built by wealthy sea island cotton growers. Fourteen of these remain today and are part of twenty-six sites on Edisto Island that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Every October, the Edisto Island Historic Preservation Society offers a tour of Edisto's plantations, churches, graveyards and historic sites. This is a great chance to get a glimpse into Edisto's past and see sites that are rarely open to the public. Don't miss it! |
What kind of wildlife can I see on Edisto?  | 
| | Pelicans, loggerhead sea turtles, dolphins, wood storks, egrets, herons, eagles, deer, wild turkeys, raccoons and abundant fish, crabs and shellfish are just some of the many forms of wildlife that populate Edisto. Edisto is a wildlife-lover's paradise. |  |
Thanks to Bill & Jenny Swygert for this page
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