I am thinking of renting a condo in that area in February. I know the weather could be awful but it will be better than where I live.

Any insights on the differences between the two islands. I am fine with quiet, very quiet. Last year went to Florida panhandle - that was a bit much. Thanks

Pam

We've been to Fripp many, many times, including a New Year's when our first child was a toddler. Never been to Harbor Is. which is close by. It has less commerce than Fripp. You should find gobs of quiet.

Fripp is small and access controlled, and, unless you own or rent there you cannot use retail establishments, including the restaurants. Fripp is very slow in the shoulder seasons. Not unusual for restaurants to be open only 3 days per week, on a rotating basis among those facilities.

You may need to drive to Beaufort, a wonderful town with many antebellum homes, to interact with humans. You'll likely need to drive off island-to Lady's- to shop for groceries when you stay at Fripp or Harbor. You may want to try the Shrimp Shack, an off-island eatery for its shrimp sandwich or Gay Fish Company, to shop for off the boat fresh fish and shrimp, while you're in the neighborhood.

You'll need to make your own fun on either island, unless you golf, fish or play tennis. There will not be a tourist stampede in February.

Thanks for your response. I am planning on walking on the beach a lot and enjoying the peace. Would you recommend either for a nicer beach? Which is really closer to Beaufort? We have camped at Hunting Island but it has been a long time ago

Pam

Pam:

Harbor Island is a little closer to Beaufort. Never been to Harbor, so I can't describe its beach. Fripp, especially at south end, has a wide beach. During high tide north beach disappears. Fripp can be traversed on foot in about 30 minutes, if the marsh deer get out of your way. They're everywhere. Enjoy.

harbor is. is just barely closer to Beaufort then Fripp and as it is on a sound you don't get the waves that you'd get on Fripp. It used to have a very large beach -in low tidewhen the tide went out there was basically a big area of plough mud before you could get to the water. Fripp is on the ocean - not sure about how their beach is doing these days. I know Hunting Is. which is the park right next to it didn't have much except in low tide. For more to do I would consider renting on Folley Beach or Sullivan's Island close to Charleston - at least a good selection of restaurants and things to do.

harbor has a great beach. the sand is packed so the walking is easy. harbor is much smaller and everyone can use the tennis,pool, volleyball, work out facilities unlike fripp which requires a special pass. you can see the ocean from almost every spot on harbor. much prefer it to fripp. but it is not too hopping which is fine/w us. charleston is about 1 1/2 hours away, savannah an hour.