Shipyard Plantation: Your Complete Community Guide to Hilton Head Island Living

Nestled beneath towering pines, rustic oaks draped in Spanish moss, and swaying tropical palms, Shipyard Plantation offers an extraordinary blend of natural Lowcountry beauty and upscale resort living on Hilton Head Island. This 800-acre gated community perfectly balances the privacy and tranquility you're seeking with convenient access to world-class golf, championship tennis, pristine beaches, and the vibrant attractions that make Hilton Head one of the Southeast's most desirable destinations.

Whether you're searching for a permanent residence where neighbors become lifelong friends, a vacation retreat to escape the everyday, or a smart rental investment property, Shipyard delivers an unmatched coastal lifestyle. With its prime south-end location, resort-style amenities, and that unmistakable sense of community that keeps residents coming back year after year, Shipyard stands out as one of Hilton Head's most welcoming and well-maintained plantations.

If you're considering making Shipyard your home, you'll find a community that truly has it all—from the exclusive Beach Club and miles of scenic trails to the convenience of dual gated entries and some of the island's finest recreational facilities right at your doorstep.

Community History & Background

Shipyard Plantation holds a special place in Hilton Head Island's development history as the second plantation community established on the island. Following the groundbreaking success of Sea Pines Plantation, which Charles Fraser developed in 1957, Shipyard was created with the same forward-thinking philosophy: complement nature rather than compete with it.

The community was thoughtfully designed to integrate seamlessly with the island's natural landscape, preserving the beauty of maritime forests, lagoons, and coastal ecosystems while creating a sophisticated residential and resort environment. This careful planning established Shipyard as a model for environmentally conscious development that has stood the test of time.

Today, Shipyard comprises approximately 2,100 density units featuring an unusual and successful combination of resort, residential, and commercial interests. The community has matured beautifully over the decades, with established landscaping, well-maintained amenities, and a strong property owners association that ensures Shipyard continues to thrive as one of Hilton Head's premier addresses.

Location & Access on Hilton Head Island

Shipyard's location is one of its greatest assets. Situated on the south end of Hilton Head Island, the community enjoys a central position that makes everything easily accessible while maintaining the peaceful, resort-like atmosphere residents treasure.

The plantation features convenient dual gated access points—one off William Hilton Parkway (Highway 278) and another on Pope Avenue. This dual-entry design not only enhances convenience but also helps manage traffic flow and provides residents with quick routes to anywhere on the island. Having arrived on Hilton Head in 1973, I can tell you that Shipyard's accessibility has always been one of its defining features, making it ideal for both full-time residents and those who visit frequently.

Just outside the gates, you'll find excellent shopping and dining options. Coligny Plaza, the island's vibrant beachside hub with shops, restaurants, and entertainment, is just minutes away. Shelter Cove Towne Centre, with its waterfront dining, boutiques, and marina, is practically next door. The community is also conveniently close to the Cross Island Parkway, making trips across the island or to the mainland quick and easy.

Within Shipyard itself, miles of paved bike paths connect every corner of the community, allowing residents to bike to the beach, golf courses, tennis center, and throughout the plantation safely and enjoyably.

Amenities & Features

Shipyard Beach Club & Beach Access

The crown jewel of Shipyard amenities is the oceanfront Beach Club, which serves as a true community hub. This private facility on the Atlantic Ocean offers Shipyard property owners exclusive beach access, restrooms, outdoor showers, and over 400 beach storage lockers available for rental. These lockers are a game-changer—you can store your beach chairs, umbrellas, coolers, and gear right at the beach, promoting more frequent visits without the hassle of hauling everything from home.

The Beach Club hosts numerous property owner events throughout the year, with active Men's and Women's groups organizing social gatherings, educational programs, and seasonal celebrations. There's a convenient walkway to the pristine white sand beach, making access effortless whether you're on foot or bicycle.

Championship Golf

Golf enthusiasts will find paradise at the Shipyard Golf Club, which features 27 holes of championship golf spread across three distinct nine-hole courses: the Clipper, Galleon, and Brigantine. Designed by renowned architects George W. Cobb and Clyde Johnston, these courses were built in 1970 and have hosted PGA Champions Tour events.

All 27 greens were converted to Diamond Zoysia grass in 2008-2009, making Shipyard one of the first courses in the Southeast to feature this premium surface. Each course presents its own unique challenges: the Clipper is known as the most difficult of the three with plenty of sand and water hazards, while all three demand accurate tee shots and well-measured approaches on large, well-bunkered greens.

The golf club includes a lovely clubhouse with a pro shop, restaurant, and practice facilities for those looking to improve their game.

Van der Meer Tennis & Pickleball

Tennis Magazine has ranked the Van der Meer Shipyard Tennis Center among the top 50 tennis resorts in the United States, and for good reason. This world-class facility features 20 championship courts—13 Har-Tru clay courts and 7 hard courts—nestled among magnificent oaks and beautifully landscaped grounds.

Eight courts are lighted for evening play, including three indoor courts, ensuring you can play year-round regardless of weather. The center offers adult clinics, daily programs, professional lessons, tournaments, and events throughout the year. Junior clinics and summer camps provide excellent opportunities for younger players to develop their skills.

Trails, Lagoons & Natural Beauty

Miles of winding bike paths and walking trails meander throughout Shipyard, connecting neighborhoods and providing scenic routes through lush landscapes. These paths offer safe, car-free access to freshwater lagoons and lakes that are perfect for fishing, wildlife watching, or simply enjoying peaceful Lowcountry scenery.

The lagoons attract a variety of wildlife including deer, egrets, herons, and yes—alligators. It's this authentic Lowcountry ecosystem that makes living in Shipyard feel like a permanent vacation in a natural paradise.

Resort & Commercial Partners

Shipyard is unique in its successful integration of commercial and resort amenities that enhance the community. The Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island, a 338-room AAA Four Diamond beachfront resort, brings world-class hospitality, dining, and spa services right into the plantation. Residents appreciate having these amenities available while maintaining the privacy and character of a residential community.

Hilton Head Health, a renowned wellness destination, offers comprehensive programs for guests seeking transformative health experiences. Having these resort facilities within Shipyard adds a distinctive dimension to the community that you won't find in most residential-only plantations.

HOA/POA Information

Shipyard is managed by the Shipyard Property Owners Association (POA), which oversees the maintenance of common areas, roads, pathways, security operations, architectural standards, and community amenities.

The annual POA landowner assessment fee is approximately $1,080 per year (as of 2023). This fee covers the care and maintenance of common areas including roads, bike paths, landscaping, security operations at the two gated entrances, and general community upkeep.

In addition to the annual assessment, Shipyard applies a property transfer fee of one-half of one percent (0.5%) of the sales price when properties change hands. This transfer fee is placed in a fund used for improvement projects throughout the community.

Individual villa and condominium complexes within Shipyard have their own regime fees, which are separate from the POA fee and typically cover building maintenance, insurance, exterior upkeep, and complex-specific amenities. These regime fees vary by complex and are usually billed monthly.

The Shipyard POA maintains an Architectural Review Board (ARB) that reviews all exterior modifications, new construction, and landscaping changes to ensure consistency with community standards and preserve property values.

Real Estate & Property Types

Shipyard offers diverse real estate options to suit different lifestyles and budgets. The community consists of approximately 255 residential lots, 400 interval ownership units, and 1,000 condominium units, providing a wide range of choices for buyers.

Villas and Condominiums

Villas and condos significantly outnumber single-family homes in Shipyard, making this an excellent community for those seeking low-maintenance coastal living. Popular villa complexes include Beachwalk, Colonnade Club, Evian, Waterford, The Greens, Tennismaster, and Shipmaster. These properties typically feature 2-4 bedrooms and offer views of golf courses, lagoons, or wooded settings.

Many villas have been recently updated with modern kitchens, renovated bathrooms, and contemporary finishes, appealing to today's buyers. The convenience of villa living—with exterior maintenance handled by the regime—makes these properties particularly attractive to retirees, second-home owners, and investors.

Single-Family Homes

Single-family homes in Shipyard sit on lots that are generally larger than those found in most other Hilton Head communities. These homes offer more space and privacy while still providing access to all of Shipyard's amenities. Properties range from charming Lowcountry cottages to spacious executive homes, many featuring private pools, multiple living areas, and outdoor entertainment spaces.

Residential homesites are located separately from the denser villa and rental areas, providing a quieter, more private setting for homeowners seeking that distinction.

Property Views & Settings

Depending on location, Shipyard properties offer golf course views overlooking the championship fairways, lagoon and lake views with serene water vistas and wildlife sightings, or wooded views surrounded by mature trees and natural Lowcountry vegetation. A small number of properties enjoy proximity to the beach area.

Rental Policies

Shipyard Plantation allows short-term vacation rentals, making it an attractive option for real estate investors and second-home owners who want rental income potential. Many villas and homes in Shipyard are available through vacation rental companies, with numerous management firms specializing in Shipyard properties.

This rental-friendly policy means you can enjoy your Shipyard home when you want while generating income when you're not using it. The community's resort amenities, beach access, and proximity to attractions make Shipyard properties highly desirable to vacationers, often resulting in strong occupancy rates during peak seasons.

Individual villa complexes may have their own specific rental policies or minimum rental periods, so it's important to verify the rules for any specific property you're considering. The POA Welcome Center can provide information about community-wide policies.

Schools & Education

Families living in Shipyard are served by the Beaufort County School District, with students attending highly regarded public schools on Hilton Head Island:

• Hilton Head Island Early Childhood Center - Serves early learners with quality pre-K programs
• Hilton Head Island Elementary School - Serves grades K-5
• Hilton Head Island Middle School - Serves grades 6-8
• Hilton Head Island High School - Serves grades 9-12

In addition to public schools, several excellent private school options are available in the area, including Hilton Head Preparatory School, Hilton Head Christian Academy, Heritage Academy, and Sea Pines Montessori Academy. These institutions offer alternative educational approaches and smaller class sizes for families seeking private education.

Lifestyle & Culture

Living in Shipyard means embracing a lifestyle that's both active and relaxed, social yet private. The community attracts a diverse mix of full-time residents, seasonal snowbirds, and vacation home owners, creating a welcoming atmosphere where neighbors quickly become friends.

The Beach Club serves as a natural gathering place, hosting regular events like the quarterly "Nibble & Nip" parties where owners bring food to share and their own beverages for casual socializing. Active Men's and Women's clubs organize activities ranging from golf outings to educational programs and volunteer opportunities.

Many residents start their days with a walk or bike ride along the trails, followed by a round of golf or tennis. Beach days are frequent and easy thanks to the private Beach Club access. Evenings might include dinner at one of the nearby restaurants, a sunset bike ride, or simply relaxing on your porch surrounded by the sounds of nature.

What residents love most about Shipyard is the strong sense of community combined with the privacy of a gated environment. You're close enough to everything—beaches, shopping, dining, entertainment—yet tucked away in a peaceful, secure setting where you can truly unwind.

Nearby Attractions & Conveniences

Shopping & Dining

Coligny Plaza, Hilton Head's iconic beachside destination, is just minutes from Shipyard. This vibrant area features dozens of shops, restaurants, casual eateries, an ice cream parlor, and beach outfitters. Coligny Beach, consistently ranked among the best beaches in the country, is located here along with the new Coligny Beach Park and Adventure Playground.

Shelter Cove Towne Centre, practically adjacent to Shipyard, offers upscale shopping, waterfront restaurants with beautiful Broad Creek views, a community park hosting seasonal concerts and events, and easy marina access for boating enthusiasts.

Recreation & Entertainment

Beyond Shipyard's own amenities, the island offers countless recreational opportunities. The Sea Pines Forest Preserve with its trails and wildlife is nearby. Harbour Town, with its famous lighthouse, yacht basin, shops, and restaurants, is just a short drive away. Dozens of additional golf courses, water sports outfitters, fishing charters, and nature tours are all easily accessible.

Healthcare & Services

Hilton Head Hospital, a full-service medical facility, is conveniently located on the island along with numerous medical practices, specialists, and wellness centers. Essential services including grocery stores (Publix, Harris Teeter, Kroger), pharmacies, banks, and professional services are all nearby.

Why Choose Shipyard Plantation?

If you're looking for a Hilton Head community that offers the complete package—beach access, world-class golf and tennis, resort amenities, a strong sense of community, and rental income potential—all in a beautifully maintained, gated environment, Shipyard Plantation deserves your serious consideration.

Since arriving on Hilton Head in 1973, I've watched Shipyard grow and mature into one of the island's most successful and desirable communities. The careful planning that went into its development, combined with diligent ongoing maintenance and a dedicated property owners association, has created a community that gets better with age.

Whether you're ready to make Shipyard your permanent home, searching for the perfect vacation retreat, or looking for a solid investment property with rental potential, we'd love to help you explore what Shipyard has to offer. From understanding the nuances of different villa complexes to evaluating single-family homes, our local knowledge and over two decades of Hilton Head experience ensure you'll make an informed, confident decision.

Ready to discover your perfect Shipyard property? Contact us today to schedule a personal tour of available homes and villas, discuss current market conditions, or answer any questions you have about life in this exceptional community.

Russ Fielden
Phone: (843) 812-8862
Email: coastalrealtors@gmail.com

Deb Fielden
Phone: (843) 986-7443
Email: debfielden2@gmail.com

Let's find your place in Shipyard Plantation—where coastal elegance meets Lowcountry living.