Windmill Harbour is one of my favorite neighborhoods. While it is one of the smallest private residential communities, built on 172 acres for 500 residences, its smaller scale and the intimacy it affords makes it very conducive to creating friendships. The layout of the community provides for an interesting cross-section of home styles, property sizes, and views.

Windmill Harbour is located just over the bridge to Hilton Head Island on the South side of Highway 278 and is adjacent to the intra-coastal waterway giving boaters convenient access to all types of water activities. A 15-acre marina provides both a focal point to the area and a delightful nautical ambiance. This is the perfect setting for the South Carolina Yacht Club overlooking the harbor.

The lock system maintains a constant water level in the marina which prevents the 8 foot tidal swing that is experience by marinas without a lock system in the Hilton Head Area. There are approximately 250 slips available for ownership and lease. A harbor master is on hand to provide additional services to yachtsmen including assistance with the lock and fueling.

The residences begin with villas priced under $300,000 and include homes over $2,000,000. With a wide range of views from lagoon, to deep water, to marsh, to harbor, many potential buyers will want to consider Windmill Harbour and the unique lifestyle that it offers.

Although the yacht club membership is not included in a purchase at Windmill Harbour, a sport’s membership is available to all owners who would like to play tennis and use the community pool. The tennis program is very active and includes inter-club and USTA programs for play at all levels.

Perhaps the biggest bonus is having the SC Yacht Club and all of its activities nearby. Whether your tastes run to formal events like the Commodore’s Ball, charitable events like the Rally for the Cure at SCYC, spending time with the Salty Sisters or Briny Brothers, or a Sunday Jazz Brunch, the club provides it all and more.

There are numerous activities for youth including sailing lessons, Cotillion classes, and tennis programs which are also available to member’s grandchildren. A unique leadership program, “Order of the Blue Gavel and Stars of the Palmetto”, is offered for high school young adults, 10th – 12th grade.

For me, the SCYC is a key to making the social basis at Windmill Harbour complete! All of the sports activities are included in the yacht club membership at no additional charge. Drawing from residents throughout the greater Hilton Head area for its membership, the club is quite exceptional as it provides an association with people of diverse talents, perspectives and interests.

Some golf opportunities are available to SCYC members, but it is definitely not an essential part of the lifestyle. However, being a boater or boat owner isn’t either. This is a fun group of people who enjoy an active life and the companionship of others who share their enthusiasm for getting involved and definitely not sitting on the sidelines.

If this sounds like fun to you, be sure to let me know and I will try to send you some properties that match your criteria. Finding the perfect lifestyle is the most important step in finding the perfect property.

The summer junior sailing program at the SC Yacht Club in Windmill Harbour is one of the best summer events for children/grandchildren that I have experienced. The program runs throughout the summer and is an outstanding opportunity for children to learn the basic skills of sailing and much more.

A few summers ago, my visiting grandsons were enrolled in the program. It was their first experience sailing and I recall they were somewhat apprehensive about attending. However, after a few days, they became salty dogs of sorts and enthusiastically got up each morning to get to their class.

At the end of the course, they announced that they weren’t going home as planned because this was “the best” and they wanted to stay with us and sail longer. Although it wasn’t possible for them to stay longer, it was great to know that we had chosen a successful venture that they loved.

Beyond the sailing, this program also builds self-esteem. These young people often start with trepidation and little by little are encouraged to be successful sailors. Prior to graduation, they learn to right a turned boat as a safety lesson. Knowing they can handle what appears to be a difficult situation to them helps assure them that they are quite capable of spreading into new ventures.

Did I mention that they also ate their salad before every meal? Now that’s a successful visit!