Sarah Jessee

Welcome to Fripp

General Rules

“Fripp Island is a barrier island in South Carolina’s Low Country. With its three miles of beachfront and abundant salt marshes and maritime forests, the island provides habitat for American alligators, fish, deer, raccoons and over 80 species of birds, including bald eagles. It was designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1974 by the state legislature and was identified as an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society in 2010. Fripp Island has a host of conservation programs to protect wildlife as well as a robust agenda of educational programs for both residents and visitors.”- The National Wildlife Federation

Following the rules will protect and ensure everyone’s safety and enjoyment.

Darryl Zoeckler

Alligators are dangerous and are ambush predators. They are often seen in our lagoons, and on the beach in standing water/ tidal pools. Please keep children and pets out of these areas on the beach and well back from the edges of all the lagoons on the island. Download on our Alligator Safety Guide to learn more.

Feeding or harassing alligators is dangerous and illegal. Once fed, alligators connect humans with food and lose their fear of people.

Violators will be subject to fines up to $200, or 30 days in jail.

If you witness anyone feeding or harassing alligators, please contact Fripp Island Patrol at 843-838-2334.

Kelly Stoks

Do not feed the deer. Deer are wild animals and should not be fed. They may become aggressive and cause bodily injury.

Of the seven species of sea turtle on the planet, six are found in U. S. waters, and all six species are endangered or threatened.
When it comes to species like sea turtles, conservation isn’t just the job of any one agency or organization. It takes everyone — biologists, volunteers, and communities — working together to ensure a future for these spectacular species.

The loggerhead sea turtle is the South Carolina state reptile (designated in 1988) and is the most commonly observed sea turtle off the SC coast.
Loggerhead sea turtles have been classified as threatened since 1978, and are protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

There are three things that you can do to make Fripp Island as safe as possible for our beloved Loggerhead sea turtles.

1) Keep your lights off at night on the beach. Between the months of May and October – Loggerhead sea turtles return to our beaches to nest. The Female Loggerhead Sea turtles seek dark beaches for their nests. Standard exterior lighting and white lights can confuse them. It can even turn them away when they come ashore to lay their eggs. Turtles that fail to nest may expel their eggs in the water and all those eggs will be lost.

The state of South Carolina and Beaufort County require turtle-friendly exterior lighting on your home. Regular light fixtures and white-light bulbs can lure turtle hatchlings away from the ocean. This includes flashlights and house lights. Light on the beach can deter sea turtles from nesting. If you are visiting you may have seen their every-which-way tracks leading from nests in years past. Chances are the disoriented hatchlings won’t survive.

2) Remove all items from the beach each evening, including toys, chairs and tents and fill in your holes and level sand castles. Items left on the beach may cause problems for sea turtles trying to find a spot to nest. Holes can create traps for both the Adult and baby sea turtles.

3) Don’t leave trash or belongings on the beach (again, this can end up killing turtles of all ages).

Violations may result in a fine.

  • Stay off the dunes.
  • Please help us keep the beach beautiful for others by removing your trash and belongings.
Susan Royster
  • Do not discharge firearms of any kind on the island.
  • Do not set off fireworks on the island.
  • Blow/dart guns are not permitted on the island.
  • Keep pets on a leash and please clean up after them.
  • Excessive noise is prohibited between 10:00 pm and 7:00 am.
  • No minor, under 18, is allowed on common property between 12:00 am and 5:00 am unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
  • Persons under 21 may not operate golf carts between 12:00 am and 5:00 am.
  • All motorized watercraft shall be operated in a safe manner to protect wildlife and prevent damage to the marsh.
  • Do not operate a motorized watercraft within 50 feet of people in the water or faster than idle speed when within 100 yards of the beach.

Citations of $25 to $200 may be issued. State citations may be issued where appropriate.