Folly Field, Hilton Head Island Real Estate

Folly Field Housing Options

No matter where you live, you are no further than a short 10-minute walk to the beach

This entire Folly Field enclave is close enough to the Atlantic that no matter where you live, you are no further than a short 10-minute walk to the beach. From five-story seaside condominium complexes to the burgeoning neighborhood of Sandcastles By The Sea, to large oceanfront homes,

Folly Field styles range from modest beach cottages to well-appointed Italianate mansions, low maintenance one-bedroom beach villas to three-bedroom penthouse suites. There are several moderately priced villa complexes, some gated, including Island House, Sea Cloisters and Hilton Head Resort, as well as near-ocean complexes like Fiddlers Cove and Stones Throw. Many have their own tennis courts and swimming pools.

Shopping, golf, tennis, dining and various other Island activities are just a short drive away. There are also several newer, expansive oceanfront and ocean-oriented single family homes and townhomes tucked In among Hilton Head’s older, charming beach cottages.

Folly Field Amenities

All about the beach...

The Folly Field community is all about the beach.  For the diverse mix of long-time permanent residents and visitors who return year after year, the lifestyle is relaxed and easygoing.

Nearby is Folly Field Beach and the Islander's Beach Park, which allows permit parking. The Island Beach Park contains playgrounds, picnic areas, and a boardwalk to the ocean. This area is a favorite of local residents. There are also beach-oriented restaurants and bars including popular Coco’s at the Beach at the Hilton Head Resort. 

Folly Field’s mid-Island location makes all the area recreational activities, as well as historical points of interest, easily accessible. Coastal Discovery Museum and the historic Mitchelleville areas are good starting points.

Folly Field History

One Hilton Head’s original neighborhoods

The “off plantation” mid Island area known as Folly Field is partially responsible for the explosion of Hilton Head Island as not only a vacation town, but a permanent place to live. Olin McIntosh of the Hilton Head Company built the island's first beach cottages at Folly Field beach in 1953 to generate more ferry traffic from the mainland in hopes that the South Carolina government would then build a bridge to accommodate all the new residents and visitors. When the state refused, the 1956 Hilton Head Toll Bridge Authority was organized and privately financed by businesses. The bridge worked beautifully, and tolls were removed within three years after their overwhelming success covered the HHTBA's debt.