$6,500,000
About this home
Rare opportunity to acquire Cole Island, a privately owned barrier island gracefully positioned at the confluence of the Folly River and Stono Inlet, just minutes from Folly Beach and historic Charleston. Encompassing approximately 300+/- acres of highland and marsh, this remarkable coastal sanctuary offers an extraordinary combination of natural beauty, privacy, historical significance, and long-term stewardship potential.Accessible only by boat via a short ride from the Folly Beach public landing or nearby marinas, the island unfolds through sweeping marsh vistas, navigable tidal creeks, protected shoreline, and a mature maritime forest shaded by centuries-old live oaks.Rich in American history, Cole Island is home to the remains of historic Fort Palmetto, originally constructed during the War of 1812, with layered ties to both the Revolutionary and Civil War eras. Largely preserved in its natural state, the island presents a compelling opportunity for conservation-minded ownership while allowing for thoughtful, low-impact experiential use. Existing activities have included guided excursions, kayaking along Cole Creek, and curated private gatherings that embrace the island's distinctive landscape and quiet seclusion. Cole Island may offer meaningful opportunities for conservation easements, estate planning strategies, and tax-advantaged ownership structures, all while preserving one of the Charleston coast's most irreplaceable land holdings. Buyers should verify any conservation, tax, or land-use considerations independently. One of the last privately held barrier islands in the Charleston market, Cole Island represents a truly rare legacy acquisition -- a place where history, ecology, and coastal beauty converge in a setting unlikely to be replicated.
Highlights
Property details
- MLS
- CHS Regional MLS
- MLS #
- 26014656
- Property type
- Land
- Subdivision
- None
- Status
- Active
- Days on market
- N/A
- On market date
- May 20, 2026
- Stories
- N/A
- Total bathrooms
- N/A
- Garage spaces
- N/A
- Parking spaces
- N/A
- Lot size
- 303 acres
Location
Get directions →Nearby schools
Within 10 miles. School directory data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), accessed via the Urban Institute Education Data API. Local Score is calculated by INNOVATE Real Estate; where a state rating is shown, it comes from that state's own official school report card.
- Enrollment
- 529
- Student:teacher ratio
- 13.6:1
- District
- Charleston 01
- Enrollment
- 833
- Student:teacher ratio
- 16.7:1
- District
- Charleston 01
- Enrollment
- 1,611
- Student:teacher ratio
- 15.8:1
- District
- Charleston 01
Walkability
Blended score for Folly Beach's center, calculated by INNOVATE Real Estate from two sources: the EPA's National Walkability Index (street network, transit, land-use mix) and Google Places amenity data (what's actually reachable on foot from this point). 60% EPA National Walkability Index + 40% nearby-amenity density (Google Places).
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Data source: Listing information provided by CHS Regional MLS via Trestle/CoreLogic. Last updated May 20, 2026.
Information herein deemed reliable but not guaranteed; all measurements, school assignments, HOA fees, taxes, and feature lists are approximate and should be independently verified. Equal Housing Opportunity.