We stayed on Fripp in July 2006 and really had a great time. This summer we decided to go back and I contacted the lady who ownes the home we stayed in previously. We booked directly through her. It was only after we got to Fripp last week that we found out rules had changed and everyone had to have an amenities card to use anything on Fripp. Our homeowner does not pay for an amenities card. Please understand when I say you have to have an amenities card to use anything, I mean ANYTHING. My husband and I arrived at Fripp the night before my mom and our two teenagers. We were walking on the beach and thougt it would be nice to get a cocktail. When we went up to the beachside bar we were turned away because we did not have an amenities card. When we went to the local snack shack for an ice cream cone we were turned away. Our teens could not go to the brand new Starbucks for coffee because we did not have an amenities card. We were even turned away at the main pool because we did not have the stupid card. Can you imagine how embarrasing it is to lug all of your towels, floats, etc. up to the pool and be told you can't go in???? Mostly we feel deceived by the lady who rented her home to us. Someone else in the neighborhood where we stayed told us the rules changed last year (2007) as far as the cards go and the renter certainly should have explained that to us. Just keep in mind that should you rent a home or villa that does not have an amenities card you will not be able to do anything on the island - no gift shop, no ice cream shop, no restaurants, not kayak or bike rental, no drinks from the bar, no laying by the "cool" pools for your teens. The beach is nice but we felt like 2nd class citizens and had to leave the island if we wanted a nice seafood dinner. Johnson's Creek Tavern is a great restaurant, by the way. It's just before you get to Fripp and has local seafood.

We did enquire about being able to buy an amenities card for the week and were all but laughed at. We may stay at Fripp again but not without checking first to see if the house we rent comes with amenity cards.

Beware when renting on Fripp - the home and villa amenities vary widely. One Captain John Fripp villa we looked at was smelly, had dog hairs on the furniture, dingy white towels, unclean dishes in the cupboards, and was just plain old. The owner thought he had gold to sell and was plain rude when he realized we weren't going to rent it. Try to see the unit before you rent if you can. We have had many enjoyable family times at Fripp. The villa we ended up renting was GREAT! We almost got stuck with a dirty lemon..

Fripp island is a great place for a family vacation. We were at the island from July 21-July 28. We were just with our family which includes 4 kids - 11, 9, 5, and 4. The weather was great. The humidity never seemed too bad.

We rented a 4 bedroom house in the Sawgrass Neighborhood (Sunshine house - nice house) and rented a golf cart. It was great to have the golf cart and not get in a car all week. The island is very easy to get around in on the golf cart. There is plenty of parking at many beach access points and at all the pools. Since it is so easy to get around on the island, the location of your house doesn't matter much.

We ate at one restaurant - Bonita Boathouse. It was fine. I recommend to plan to make most of your meals. There is a great fish company right off the island - Gay Shrimp Co. You can see the fish boats pull right up to it. About 2 minutes further down, there is a vegetable/fruit farm - Dempsey Farms.

There are great bike paths around the island - it was fun to take family bike rides.


We will definitely return for another vacation.

I am blessed that I have a relative that owns a property in Fripp Island. It's a great place for my family to go on a mini-vacation (we live in Florida). It's ideal for a family vacation or romantic getaway. The resort his huge, peaceful and relaxing. It is filled with nature perserves, palm trees, and wildlife. You will see plenty of deer up close and personal - They are not afraid of people. The best way to get around is to rent a golf cart. You can get to the marina, beach or golf course easily on a cart. I am unclear why some reviewers said the beach is small -- I'm wondering if they made it to the right spot. The beach is a regular beach and vast for miles and miles. We went jetskiing one afternoon and had about 8 dolphins swimming right with us. It was so neat. I've never tried any of the restaurants, but we stayed in a three-bedroom house with a full kitchen and prepared all of our meals. Fishing was fun, but instead of fish, we only caught stingrays (threw them back). We also went crabbing -- There are tons of crabs in the bay. We spent one afternoon at the pool and while the kids were swimming, we took a break and had adult drinks in the pool.
There is plenty to do and the place is gorgeous. Can't wait to go back.