St. Phillips Island

St. Phillips Island is a 4-mile-long, 4,680-acre undeveloped barrier island off the coast of Beaufort, South Carolina. This former private island can only be accessed by boat and is a true hidden gem of the Lowcountry. For nearly 40 years, it was owned by billionaire conservationist Ted Turner, who purchased St. Phillips in 1979 to preserve its integrity as an unspoiled natural environment and protect it from development. In 2017, the State of South Carolina purchased the island, which is now operated in conjunction with nearby Hunting Island State Park. 

The old growth forest on St. Phillips Island includes towering live oaks and magnificent magnolias, in addition to many other common maritime forest species. The old growth forest on the island helped to earn the designation of National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service. Four miles of trails provide access to the forest, freshwater ponds, saltwater creeks, and about one mile of pristine beach.