Dataw Island is a private, gated island community in northern Beaufort County, east of Lady's Island off Sea Island Parkway. It's built around golf, boating and an active club, set among marsh, live oaks and historic ruins. If you're looking at Dataw, understand the club membership rules before anything else. They're part of owning a home here.
According to Dataw Island's website, the island covers about 870 acres and is bordered by the Morgan River and Jenkins Creek. The Dataw Island Owners' Association rules describe it as roughly 875 acres, with about 189 acres of common grounds. Getting to downtown Beaufort, MCAS Beaufort or Parris Island means driving west on Sea Island Parkway across Lady's Island and over one of the Beaufort River bridges. Hilton Head and Bluffton are farther, across the Broad River. Dataw's site also points out that Hunting Island State Park is close by. Drive your likely routes before you commit.
From Dataw's membership page: when you buy property on Dataw Island, membership in both the Club and the Owners Association is mandatory. People who don't own property can join as Country Club or Dining members. A Renter Membership is available for anyone renting on Dataw for more than thirty days.
Club dues, owners' association assessments, capital contributions and any golf fees change from year to year. Before you make an offer, get the current resident membership fee schedule, the DIOA budget and the covenants, and factor them into your monthly costs. We'll help you get these documents early.
The Dataw Difference and Golf at Dataw list:
Dataw is mostly single-family homes, many on golf course, marsh or deep-water lots, along with some villas and cottages and a limited number of homesites. Architectural review rules govern construction and exterior changes. Prices vary mainly by view (golf, marsh or deep water), size and age, so ask us for recent Dataw sales instead of relying on county-wide averages.
Public schools here are part of the Beaufort County School District. School assignment depends on the exact street address, and the district publishes attendance zone maps for elementary, middle and high schools. The district says the maps are for reference only and that newer streets may not appear yet, so confirm eligibility with the school before you buy. We're happy to pull the zoned schools for any home you're considering, but we don't rank or rate schools. Visit them yourself and review official data such as the SC School Report Cards.
As a marsh-front sea island, Dataw has many properties in high-risk AE flood zones and some in other zones. Elevation and insurance costs vary widely from home to home. Dataw is in unincorporated Beaufort County, so Elevation Certificate requests go through the County. Flood zones can change from one lot to the next, even on the same street. Before you make an offer, look up the address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center or in Beaufort County GIS, ask whether there's an Elevation Certificate, and get homeowners and flood insurance quotes during your inspection period. Our Beaufort SC flood zone guide walks through all of this step by step.
Yes. According to Dataw's membership page, property buyers must join both the Dataw Island Club and the Owners' Association. Get the current fee schedule before you make an offer.
Yes. It's a private, gated community. Dataw says visitors are welcome by arrangement, so contact the club or schedule a tour with us.
Two 18-hole courses: Tom Fazio's Cotton Dike and Arthur Hills' Morgan River.
Dataw's marina offers wet slips, dry stack storage and a boat yard, with deepwater access. Some homes also have private docks. Check availability and fees with the marina.
Whether you're buying your first home, relocating on PCS orders, or ready to sell, Happi and I would love to show you Dataw Island the way locals see it. Compare it with other areas in our Beaufort County neighborhood guides, see how we handle military relocation, or get a free home valuation if you already own here.
Call or text Brian at (843) 929-5687, or send us a message.
Brian & Happi Beisser, Happi Home Team | NorthGroup Real Estate. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed; verify HOA, flood, school and tax details for any specific property.
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