$6,500,000
Folly Beach, SC 29439
MLS# 26014656
1 / 16
Property Description
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.
Details
Maps
Documents
Location, Tax & Legal
Legal Description: RM Zone Lot 20.03/1
Tax Map #: 4500000003
Street Name: Cole
County: Charleston
State: SC
Zip Code: 29439
Area: 22 - Folly Beach to Battery Island
Tax District: 31 - James Island PSD
Subdivision: None
Elementary School: James Island
Middle School: Camp Road
High School: James Island Charter
Directions: Take a boat from Sunset Cay Marina
General Property Info
Potential Short Sale: No
Acreage: 303
Tax/Fees
Taxes: 974
Office/Member Info
Seller Concessions Negotiable Y/N: No
Lot Description
Flood and Wetlands: 1
Graded: 1
Non-Tidal Creek: 1
Steep: 1
10+ Acres: 1
Beachfront: 1
High: 1
Level: 1
Marshfront: 1
Marshview: 1
Ocean View: 1
River Access: 1
Riverfront: 1
Riverview: 1
Rolling Slope: 1
Tidal Creek: 1
Waterfront - Deep: 1
Waterfront - Shallow: 1
Wetlands: 1
Wooded: 1
Dev Status
Raw Land: 1
Zoning
Agricultural: 1
Residential: 1
Other: 1
Uses
Acreage: 1
Agricultural: 1
Grazing: 1
Horse Farm: 1
Hunting: 1
Lots: 1
Residential: 1
Timber: 1
Other: 1
Road Frontage
Dirt: 1
Other: 1
Structures
Utility/Storage Bldg: 1
Other: 1
Documents Available
Aerial Photo: 1
Dock Permit: 1
Driving Directions: 1
Plat: 1
Existing Utilities
No Utilities: 1
Septic At Site: 1
Income From
None: 1
Miscellaneous
Easements: 1
Private Dock At Lot: 1
Will Subdivide: 1
Assessments
No Assessments: 1
Amenities
Dock Facilities: 1
Dog Park: 1
Horses OK: 1
RV Parking: 1
Walk/Jog Trails: 1
Other: 1
Assumable
No: 1
Proposed Financing
Any: 1
Cash: 1
Conventional Loan: 1
Exchange: 1
Other (Use Agent Notes): 1
Showing Instructions
Contact Listing Agent: 1
Contract Info
MLS List Date: 2026-05-20
Status: Active
List Price: $6,500,000
Current Price: $6,500,000
Property Features
Lot Description: Flood and Wetlands; Graded; Non-Tidal Creek; Steep; 10+ Acres; Beachfront; High; Level; Marshfront; Marshview; Ocean View; River Access; Riverfront; Riverview; Rolling Slope; Tidal Creek; Waterfront - Deep; Waterfront - Shallow; Wetlands; Wooded
Dev Status: Raw Land
Zoning: Agricultural; Residential; Other
Uses: Acreage; Agricultural; Grazing; Horse Farm; Hunting; Lots; Residential; Timber; Other
Road Frontage: Dirt; Other
Structures: Utility/Storage Bldg; Other
Documents Available: Aerial Photo; Dock Permit; Driving Directions; Plat
Existing Utilities: No Utilities; Septic At Site
Income From: None
Miscellaneous: Easements; Private Dock At Lot; Will Subdivide
Assessments: No Assessments
Assumable: No
Proposed Financing: Any; Cash; Conventional Loan; Exchange; Other (Use Agent Notes)
Amenities: Dock Facilities; Dog Park; Horses OK; RV Parking; Walk/Jog Trails; Other
Showing Instructions: Contact Listing Agent
Supplements
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.
1994 Map 
Listing Office: Carolina One Real Estate
Last Updated: May - 20 - 2026
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