BRAYS ISLAND PLANTATION
The New York Times has called Brays Island "the finest intact preservation of a private plantation in America." Certainly it is one of the most unique. Located on 5,500 acres of pristine beauty 60 miles south of Charleston and 20 miles northeast of Beaufort, Brays Island will eventually be home to only 325 families. Masterfully designed to preserve the natural environment, only four acres of the plantation`s natural habitat was disturbed in its construction. It covers an area of 25 square miles and is threaded by meandering creeks and rivers and dotted with tidal lagoons and ponds. It is a place that gives you a sense of a distant time.
Originally a rice and indigo plantation, Brays Island Plantation today is one of the few developments in the nation with a bent to the outdoor purist. In addition to the more traditional amenities of tennis, swimming and world-class golf, Brays Island offers an on-site private game preserve and excellent hunting programs. Word-class fishing and equestrian programs also draw people to this place of understated beauty. As their literature says "Brays Island is not for everyone. And that`s the beauty of it."
THE RESIDENTSThose who have purchased homes or homesites at Brays Island come from 35 states plus Bermuda, Canada and Europe. Their goals include primary and secondary home ownership as well as a place for future retirement. THE NEIGHBORHOOD
A unique feature of Bray`s Island Plantation is that there are no shared property lines among owners. Homesites are one acre, circular and non-contiguous. Each is required to be 70% hidden from view by vegetation. There are no minimum square footage requirements for the construction of a home. Guidelines prevent multi-family or condominium developments. THE INN
Restored in the 1930`s and fashioned from several ante-bellum homes in nearby Charleston, this neo-Georgian manor home was converted into a 13-room guesthouse and community social center. The main structure and adjacent carriage house now function as a guest inn and meeting facility for members and guests. The Inn also features a full service dining room with a first-class seasonal menu, a library, meeting rooms plus comfortable bar and lounge. For swimming there are two pools, indoor and out. THE GUN CLUB
The clubhouse features a vaulted great room with mounted big game trophies, a gun storage room, bar and billiard table and relaxation on the patio.
EQUESTRIAN FACILITIES
As you enter the security gate, the southern tradition of Brays Island is evident with horses grazing along the roadside. In addition to 40 miles of natural riding trails, equestrian facilities include a 25-stall boarding stable, tack room, lounge and generous paddocks. The plantation maintains its own horses for property owners use, as well as wagons and mules for hunts and community hayrides.
HUNTINGBrays Island Plantation was designed with the outdoor sporting enthusiast in mind. The predominant hunting attraction is quail and partridge. Dove shoots are conducted and there is limited turkey hunting. Deer management is practiced to produce trophy bucks.
KENNELSThe Plantation owns up to 40 bird dogs. Owners may board their own dogs in a separate facility.
SHOOTINGAt Brays Island, property owners can take advantage of both traditional and modern clay target venues. There is a 12-station sporting clay course at the Gun Club, a 5-stand sporting clay layout, trap and skeet plus a complete rifle and pistol range. Several competitive shooting events are scheduled during the year. Guns and ammunition are available.
FISHING
Throughout the plantation,
freshwater and brackish ponds can be found with largemouth bass and bream.
Tidal ponds offer red fish, black drum, flounder, ladyfish, and small
tarpon according to season. Saltwater fishing for redfish is said to be
world-class. Depending on the season, tarpon, sea trout, stripers,
flounder, jack crevalles, bluefish, and cobia can be caught. Shrimping,
crabbing, and oyster gathering are also part of the Brays Island
lifestyle. Fishing instruction is available as are guides with flat boats
and deep-water vessels.
Adjacent to The Inn , Har-tru tennis courts are available at Bray`s Island and are lighted for night play. GOLF
Ron Garl designed the "modern traditional" championship golf course on Brays Island. Formerly pasture and cornfields, only 30 trees were removed in the construction of this vast course comprised of over 235 acres. It is over six miles from the first tee to the 18th green. Wide landing areas, large greens and natural, yet strategic, hazards have been incorporated into the course design. There are no tee times and golfers may choose to walk or use a cart.
