Okatie, South Carolina
Welcome to Callawassie Island
Our Island
Driving across our private, 1/4-mile causeway, you leave behind the hectic world and enter paradise. The Island’s friendly, relaxed tone promotes strong bonds among our residents. The community is home to more than 50 clubs. Golfers, boaters, tennis players, bridge players, fishers and gardeners get to know each other through club events and activities. Navigating the island’s bike paths, and coastal waters is another way we connect with each other, and with nature. Neighbors celebrate joyful times together and are always willing to lend a hand when needed.
Our History
In the early 17th century, the Yemassee Indians gave Callawassie Island its name, which means “calm waters.” James Hamilton, a legislator and general, was the gentleman who constructed Callawassie Island’s historic Sugar Mill Ruins. Sugar cane did not prosper, but the old mill tabby remnants remain. Over the centuries, the island evolved from a thriving indigo plantation to a southern playground for the nation’s industrial elite. In 1981, Callawassie Island established its modern identity and was developed into the private community that flourishes today.
Our Membership
Callawassie Island offers a private setting where members are surrounded by friends. Whether members are recent retirees, young professionals or those choosing to have a second home, all share a common interest in the island community and the Club’s wellbeing. Callawassie Island Membership Plan offers flexibility, options, and value. Through the resident membership, everyone has access to the Club’s dining and meeting facilities, fitness center, tennis center, pools, community docks, and golf practice facilities.
Membership at Callawassie Island
Callawassie Island Membership gives owners and their immediate family – their children and their spouses, their grandchildren, as well as the member’s parents and the parents of the member’s spouse – the opportunity to enjoy all of the following:
- A private gated community with 24-hour security.
- Four community docks providing leased slips, kayak launches plus fishing, crabbing and shrimping access.
- A 27-hole, Tom Fazio-designed championship golf course, voted one of South Carolina’s top 50 in 2014 and recently enhanced by a four million dollar renovation; a pro shop and three Class A PGA Golf Professionals.
- Six Har-Tru tennis courts with a pro shop and a USTA and PTR certified professional.
- Clubhouse with full-service dining, adult-only pool overlooking the marsh, bocce and croquet courts, and a fire pit.
- River Club, overlooking the Colleton River, with a swimming pool, casual dining, fire pit, and a horseshoe pit.
- New Fitness Center featuring stunning views, state of the art fitness equipment, mind and body studio, physical therapy, personal training, massage therapy and indoor cycling.
- A Certified Community Wildlife Habitat – one of only four in South Carolina – with over 230 individual properties qualified as backyard habitats.
- Numerous island parks, ponds and recreation areas for enjoying nature, spectacular views, and historical sites. Fishing is available in the ponds.
- Walking, running, and biking opportunities throughout the scenic island.
- Numerous social events, activities, clubs and more.
Golf at Callawassie Island
Dogwood Course
Both your short and long games will be tested on this interesting mix of holes while you enjoy the natural beauty of the marsh vistas. Don’t forget to pause along the way to catch a glimpse at the birds and animals who have made our island their home!
Magnolia Course
At 3,564 yards, this is the longest of our three nines. In order to successfully navigate the course, you must use all of your golf skills. Long accurate drives, calculated second shots, and precision play of the par 3s will ensure a successful round.
Palmetto Course
Well-positioned ponds present a challenge on seven holes of the 3,443 yard nine-hole course. Conservative course management, precise positioning, and a soft putting stroke will provide you with the maximum enjoyment on these excellent nine holes.
Golf Groups and Events
We have a very active CMGA and CWGA, Spring and Fall Member/Guest and Member/Member tournaments, exchanges with other clubs, and host a variety of tournaments like the Men’s and Women’s Big East Championships.
Activities at Callawassie Island
Clubs and Events
Whether it’s a lifelong passion, or a budding interest you’d like to explore, Callawassie Island has an outlet for you. Through more than 50 onsite clubs and organizations, Callawassie Island offers a variety of opportunities for members to share their interests. From kayaking and card clubs to gardening, golf, or tennis, you’ll be able to find something that strikes your fancy.
Callawassie Island hosts a variety of events for members ranging from local musicians, artists, ecologists, master gardeners and Callawassie’s own Callawassie Chorus. These events are a great way for members to mingle with one another, strengthening their bond with each other and with the island as well. Check out some of the spectacular events we’ve shared by reading our monthly blogs.
Culture
Surrounded by tidal creeks and rivers, Callawassie Island residents embrace the environment as a precious responsibility and a unique resource. Certified by the National Wildlife Federation, Callawassie Island was the first South Carolina community recognized as a Wildlife Habitat in 2007. Our golf course acquired the Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary certification in 2017.
The Callawassie Island amenities provide a casual setting for mingling with friends and neighbors. Situated on the majestic Colleton River, The River Club offers members an outdoor family swimming pool and inside, a casual-dining experience with surrounding waterfront views. The Clubhouse and Fitness Center serve as a central meeting space and allow members to socialize and exercise.
Fitness
Fitness is a hallmark of Callawassie Island’s lifestyle, and we like to say there are many individual paths to health. Our certified Fitness Director helps members with conditioning routines and instructs our new members in the proper use of the equipment. The Director teaches conditioning and aerobics classes, and manages the use of outside instructors to teach classes in Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi and other fitness disciplines. We also offer nutritional programs, health screening and guest instructor programs. Our new Fitness Center is currently open and operating. The Fitness Center has state of the art cardio equipment, a large group fitness class area and treatment rooms for physical therapy and massage sessions.
There are two swimming pools on island, one at the Clubhouse and one at the River Club. Both are perfect for recreational and fitness swimming activity. The Clubhouse swimming pool is for adults only, and is located adjacent to the new Fitness Center. Both pools are heated and cooled and open year-round. Enjoy pool-side lunch service with your family at the River Club pool, located on the Colleton River, from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Callawassie Island is both biker and walker friendly, showcasing beautiful vistas throughout the island and along the golf courses, marshes, and surrounding waterways. Callawassie offers plenty of beautiful scenery to enjoy the outdoors through a nice stroll on one of our many walking paths. While walking around our 880-acre island, you’ll likely run into a friend or have the chance to make a new one while you take in the live oaks, magnolias, egrets, herons and other wildlife in the island’s beautiful natural surroundings.
On the Water
The River Club docks offer community boat slips and deep-water access to the Colleton River, Port Royal Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. The Sugar Mill dock offers creek access to residents for crabbing and viewing the sunset. At our Paddler’s Point dock, it is simple to launch a kayak into the Lowcountry marsh; Paddler’s Club members are able to conveniently store their kayaks in the adjacent storage area.
The Atlantic Ocean is accessible from the adjoining Colleton River through the Port Royal Sound for deep sea fishing, while some of the world’s best inshore fishing abounds in our surrounding tidal rivers, creeks and freshwater ponds. Residents often catch fish and crab off our community docks. Callawassie Island members also have their own Fishing Club, where members can fish with friends.
Depart from our community docks and kayak around the island whenever you wish. Venture through the surrounding creeks and observe the wildlife and beautiful nature views. If you want an adventure with your friends and neighbors, join members of the Paddler’s Club on one of their many guided outings, and explore the waters beyond Callawassie Island.
Tennis
Tennis events, such as our Pro-Am Tournament and Wimbledon “Callawassie Style”, are highlights for the whole community. The Callawassie Tennis Association coordinates many tennis and social events, including a group trip to the Charleston Open on Daniel Island, a Kentucky Derby Day, a Summer Luau and an end of year Holiday Party.
Island tennis enthusiasts enjoy six Har-Tru tennis courts with a pro shop, patio and pavilion. The Callawassie Tennis Association, over 150 members strong, makes our tennis community truly exceptional and all skill levels are welcome. Stop in our Pro Shop to purchase any branded Callawassie Island merchandise. Our members are very proud to sport the Callawassie Island logo, and apparel is just one way to show that connection.
Community tennis, USTA tennis leagues and inter-club exchange matches provide opportunities for both social and competitive tennis across the Lowcountry. On more than one occasion, Callawassie Island teams have brought home trophies at these competitions. Our full-time USTA and PTR certified professional has worked with community enthusiasts to support the growth of Callawassie Island Tennis since 1995.
Discovery Visit at Callawassie Island
On your Discovery Visit, we customize every guest itinerary. If you’d like to play a round of golf, we’ll arrange it. If you need to work on your golf or tennis swing, we’ll schedule you a lesson with our pros. If you wish to experience our gym, we’ll sign you up for a session with our personal trainer. You can try a guided tour either in the form of kayaking or walking. We also provide a $50 dining credit to spend at the Clubhouse or River Club dining facilities. We like to pair our guests with members of our community to ensure that each visitor experiences Callawassie Island not as a stranger- but as a friend and future neighbor. Lastly, a personalized real estate tour of our homes, homesites and amenities is included.
Use the contact form on this page to reserve your Discovery Visit.
Contact our Welcome Center To Learn More!
Contact our Welcome Center
Phone: (843) 987-2231
Email: Welcome@CallawassieIslandClub.com
22 Callawassie Club Dr, Okatie, SC 29909
