There is no better place on earth than BHI

Sea Island - different feel but even nicer

I’ve heard Block Island in RI has a similar feel

Hahaha on Holden Beach. I say this as a lifelong Holden Beach vacationer who absolutely loves the place--but please, it's a regular person beach in Brunswick County with easy access to both Walmart and Food Lion. No tree canopy jungle, no ferry. They do have golf carts--but they are definitely not required nor are they that practical--the island is over 5 miles long.

Anonymous wrote:I hate these questions, if there was any place just like Bald Head it wouldn’t be something you’d ask a question like this about. What you like about it is that it’s unique. The previous posters have clearly not visited - those places are nothing like it, which is coincidentally why BHI is about 5x the price. There are a lot of unique places in the US to visit, none of them like the others.

BHI is not 5 times the price of OBX

BHI is by far our favorite of the southern barrier islands, which is why we keep going back and back. Really beautiful and charming.

We've been to Daufuskie and it's probably the most similar (no cars, ferry-access, southern architecture instead of big boxy houses on stilts). Except that there is, what, one restaurant and no market? Way too much of a hassle. And I like that BHI is historical, but was never had slave-owning plantations. That bothered me while we were in Daufuskie. They seem to celebrate the plantation life. Also love the marshes of BHI for kayaking, the lighthouse, gorgeous Shoals Club with drinks service to the beach, turtle nests and the nature overlook.

We've been to Harbor and Fripp - no, you'll be disappointed if you're comparing it to BHI.

FWIW, we are a Fripp family and are going to Bald Head next year because it's the next closest - not in terms of distance, but in likeness. They both fit our 'speed' of vacation. Also, part of what makes Bald Head more expensive is the lack of access via vehicle. They know once you're there, you're there. On Fripp you can make a 15-mile drive to Walmart for essentials if needed. Might be a benefit or a detractor, depending on how you look at it. There are cheaper places to stay on Fripp than BH, but I find that you can get a nicer house on Fripp for your money. That said, it's also getting more expensive. If you want access to resort amenities, there's a new 12.5% resort fee plus about $55 each for amenity cards for anyone over the age of 12. Without paying this, you're essentially tied to the beach only unless there's a neighnorhood pool. Fripp was purchased be a PE firm and so far, nothing has improved but prices have gone up. We still went this year, but part of why we are visiting Bald Head is to see what else is out there due to the 'tax'. The amenities on Bald Head look much nicer (the clubs), though you pay a fraction of the price for pools on Fripp. But as the saying goes... you also get what you pay for. My guess is someone going from visiting Bald Head regularly to Fripp for the first time would feel like it's a cheaper version of the same thing... because it is. Depends on what you value in a vacation, though. Even during peak season, you can find a spot on the beach on Fripp with a 10-yard radius surrounding you between you and the next family. I don't love the cars. There aren't many, but it is a pain to be trailed by one on the golf cart. All this to say... no two places are the same. They both have their merits. We love Fripp for its laid-back atmosphere and slow pace. I hear Bald Head may be even better for these two things, which is what we value most and why we are breaking our 10+ year tradition of visiting Fripp.

Anonymous wrote:I hate these questions, if there was any place just like Bald Head it wouldn’t be something you’d ask a question like this about. What you like about it is that it’s unique. The previous posters have clearly not visited - those places are nothing like it, which is coincidentally why BHI is about 5x the price. There are a lot of unique places in the US to visit, none of them like the others.

I hate people who criticize other people’s questions. I get what OP is asking, even if you don’t.

I replied above and I have by the way, visited Bald Head Island. Have you visited all the places listed above? (fwiw, I agree Hilton Head isn’t similar).

Also, fwiw, Bald Head is nice, but isn’t *that* special. It’s just hard to get to.

Anonymous wrote:I hate these questions, if there was any place just like Bald Head it wouldn’t be something you’d ask a question like this about. What you like about it is that it’s unique. The previous posters have clearly not visited - those places are nothing like it, which is coincidentally why BHI is about 5x the price. There are a lot of unique places in the US to visit, none of them like the others.

AGREED!! This makes no sense.

I hate these questions, if there was any place just like Bald Head it wouldn’t be something you’d ask a question like this about. What you like about it is that it’s unique. The previous posters have clearly not visited - those places are nothing like it, which is coincidentally why BHI is about 5x the price. There are a lot of unique places in the US to visit, none of them like the others.

Oak Island. Holden Beach. Topsail.

Daufuskie Island
Cumberland Island

A little less remote:
Fripp Island
Jekyll Island
Harbor Island (Hunting Island State Park next door is beautiful)

OBX

We got back a few weeks ago - first timers. LOVE that place! So relaxing, love the tree cover and feeling like you’re in a jungle and then…beach!

Thinking ahead to next summer, we like to try new places. Anywhere you recommend?