One of the sea islands, James Island is primarily a relaxed, residential island community featuring beautiful, family-oriented neighborhoods, untouched natural waterways and marshes, as well as shops and restaurants. It is located across the Ashley River from the historic city of Charleston. With the completion of the James Island Connector in 1993, islanders have the convenience of easy access to Charleston which is famous for it’s southern history, architecture, and entertainment. James Island also serves as a gateway to the Atlantic Ocean with Folly Beach just minutes away.

Historically, James Island is where the Civil War began. Confederate forces fired from Fort Johnson on Union troops occupying Fort Sumter in 1861. 19th Century plantations graced the island where indigo, rice and cotton were grown. You can still take a trip back in time with a visit today to many former slave quarters, battle sites and historic buildings which are located on James Island.

James Island is also home to two golf courses, one public and one private. The Country Club of Charleston, a Seth Raynor design, hosts the Azalea Invitational each spring and attracts some of the top ranked amateurs in the game. With numerous public boat landings and marinas, the island is a boater’s paradise with easy access to the harbor, rivers and creeks.

James Island County Park, a large 643 acre park offers something for everyone in the family. You’ll find biking and nature trails, spectacular playgrounds, wide open green spaces, and acres of lagoons for kayaking, fishing, and crabbing. It also includes a water park known as the Splash Zone which features water slides, a lazy river, and a pool.