Pet-Friendly, Ocean View Villa on Harbor Island in Harbor Island

Our newly renovated (March, 2005), pet-friendly, ocean view villa is located on the 2nd floor with easy access to the elevator. It is adjacent to the pool, so you can watch your children play from the screened-in porch (see pictures). The master bedroom houses a NEW (March 2005), queen-size pillow top bed. The living room futon converts to a full/double-size bed. All bed linens and towels are provided. The kitchen is fully equipped with a stove, microwave, toaster,
oven, etc. for the chef in your family. Please see additional amenities below.

The unit is situated in Beachhouse Villas, a private, gated community with 24-hour security. A two-minute walk from our unit takes you to the 3-mile private beach (which is never crowded) or to the fitness center in the lower level of the Beach Cabana Club. The club property features a large pool with four tennis courts. A putting green is nearby.

Come share our villa for a respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Shift into a lower gear, bring your binoculars if you're a birdwatcher, relax and enjoy!

***Harbor Island***
Harbor Island, 14 miles east of highly acclaimed Beaufort, SC., is a protected estuary habitat filled with wildlife and beautiful plant life. It is part of the 350,000-acre ACE Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve (ACE Basin NERR), created and managed by the Marine Resources Division of South Carolina. The private island sits on the edge of the biologically rich Saint Helena's Sound. In this habitat, you will be surrounded by live oaks, slash pines, and cabbage
palmettos.

The ACE Basin Refuge lies along the Atlantic Flyway - the 'bird highway in the sky.' Numerous waterfowl, shore birds, neo-tropical songbirds and birds of prey migrate from their nesting grounds to wintering areas throughout eastern North America.The painted bunting, egrets and herons are in abundance here. Many
endangered species such as the peregrine falcon, Canby's dropwort, chaffseed, hawksbill turtle, leatherback turtle, red-cockaded woodpecker, shortnose sturgeon, West Indian manatee, and wood stork live in the ACE Basin. Six, federally-threatened species (i.e. bald eagle, Eastern indigo snake, green turtle, American alligator, loggerhead turtle, and piping plover) have also been observed in the area.

Ocean Wildlife - The ocean is teeming with wildlife - American oysters, blue crabs, fiddler crabs, grass shrimps, hard clams, white shrimps, living sand dollars, horseshoe crabs, and porpoise, according to the National Estuarine Research Reserve. At certain times of the year, you will share the ocean water with glowing green phosphorescent plankton or loggerhead sea turtles. (Don't forget to Help Save Our Turtles - lights off on the beach at night between May 1 and September 1). A sighting of a leatherback turtle, the largest living turtle species, occurred last year on Hunting Island, the next island over.

Fishing - If you are interested in fishing - the 1120-foot, former Paradise Pier is now part of Hunting Island State Park, the last island boundary in the ACE Basin chain. Fishermen have tried their luck and caught Atlantic croaker, bay anchovy, black drum, largemouth bass, red drum, shortnose sturgeon, Southern flounder, spot, spotted sea trout, striped bass, and striped mullet.

***Nearby Hunting Island***
Local Attractions Hunting Island is home to the historic Hunting Island lighthouse that was in operation until 1933. Originally constructed in 1859 and rebuilt in 1875 after the Civil War, 167 steps and 50 cents will take you to the top for a fabulous view. It is only two miles away from our unit.

***Beaufort***
Time to go out on the town? Beaufort provides a delightful backdrop. First inhabited by native Americans and then the Spanish in the 1500s, historical areas are every where. Antebellum homes from before the Civil War border the waterfront as do great restaurants and a small park and marina. Beaufort also hosts a thriving artists community and it is only 14 miles away! An hour or so drive will take you to Savannah or Charleston, beautiful southern cities that
make great day trips.

Stop at Publix on your way out of Beaufort. It is on the left after you cross Lady's Island bridge over the intercoastal waterway once you go through downtown Beaufort on Route 21. Or, stop at Gay's Seafood (on the right) before you cross the Harbor River Bridge across from the famous (featured in Coastal Living) Shrimp Shack.

Amenities: Phone, Air Conditioning, Cable TV, VCR/DVD, Stereo, Full Kitchen, Microwave, Dishwasher, Refrigerator, Cooking Utensils provided, Washer & Dryer, Pool, Charcoal BBQ, No Smoking

(On Site or Nearby): Hiking, Biking, Golf, Tennis, Fitness Center, Fishing, Wildlife Viewing, Shopping, Restaurants, Museums, Sightseeing, Swimming, Boating, Surfing, Windsurfing, Shelling, Birding, Crabbing

Credit Cards Accepted via PayPal: Visa, Mastercard and Amex (2 night minimum)

SUMMER* (May 14-Sep 09)
Weekly rate: $922
Weekend night (Fri & Sat): $155
Week nights: $140

FALL* (Sep 10-Nov 24)
Weekly rate: $778
Weekend night (Fri & Sat): $140
Week nights: $126

WINTER* (Nov. 25-March 02):
Weekly rate: $635
Weekend night (Fri & Sat): $119
Week nights: $98
Monthly rate: $1,221 plus fees

SPRING* (Mar 03-May 13)
Weekly rate: $778
Weekend night (Fri & Sat): $140
Week nights: $126

*+ 10% SC Taxes and Fees, $75 Cleaning Fee, $150 Refundable Deposit and Gate Pass Required.

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice. Full payment is due within seven days of making reservation.