Bear Island is only an hour from Charleston but a world away from civilization.

This undeveloped 12,021-acre South Carolina Sea Island near the village of Benetts Point is part of an estuarine reserve and a Wildlife Management Area popular for biking, hiking, fishing, hunting, and bird watching.

Serene and completely undeveloped, the island was once a rice plantation but the old rice fields are now left to the birds and wildlife, including the roughly 50 species of birds that make Bear Island their home.

The rice was grown at water level, since most of the island is a wetland. Hikers can pass by some of the magnificent old plantation houses that are now being reclaimed by nature. The island is managed by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

Kiawah Island Daufuskie Island Bear Island, South Carolina Callawassie Island Capers Island Deveaux Bank Dewees Island Dreher Island Edisto Island Folly Island Fripp Island Goat Island Harbor Island, South Carolina Hunting Island Isle of Palms Johns Island Lady's Island Morgan Island Morris Island Pinckney Island Port Royal Island Saint Helena Island Spring Island Wadmalaw Island Waties Island

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