Despite being approached on multiple occasions to develop Brays Island in the dominant style of the day, Sumner Pingree instead chose to perpetuate the traditions of the southern plantation. He accomplished this by leaving 94% of Brays Island undeveloped and shared. This provides a number of benefits, but having the ability to hunt on your own plantation is a big part of what attracts people from across the nation and beyond. Owners and their guests are able to enjoy hunting quail, deer, pheasant, and turkey without leaving the plantation.
For many owners, hunting quail is about spending time in the field with family and their own bird dogs. Others prefer to use one of our 30+ pointing dogs that are always ready, thanks to our full-time professional dog trainer. If you are new to hunting, we have guides that are here to show you the ropes.
Bird Dog Hall of Fame inductee Scott Miller provides instruction and training for dogs and their owners at Brays Island. The plantation owns between 35 and 40 pointing dogs at any given time.
Trapper ready…pull!
Shooting sports are fundamental to Brays Island and our Gun Club has attracted owners from across the country and beyond. A 15-station sporting clays course, originally designed by Holland and Holland, will test the skills of master-class shotgunners while also providing a welcoming environment for those wanting to learn. In addition to sporting clays, we offer FITASC, skeet, trap, five stand, a rifle range, a pistol range, and an archery course.
Our pro shop is fully outfitted with shotguns, apparel, and supplies for both shooters and hunters. Private instruction is available at the Gun Club, as well as gun rental, storage, cleaning, and repair.
Our owners enjoy social events and competitions throughout the year. From our Holiday Fun Shoots and Shoot & Grills, to our Annual Outdoor and Shooting Exposition, there’s something for all interests and ages.
The clays course at Brays Island was mentioned as one of the 10 best in Shooting Sportsman magazine.
Known for our premier hunting and shooting facilities, Brays Island isn’t your typical golf community. But, nestled inside the gates, you’ll find a course that offers a golfing experience like no other. Since Brays is a small private community shared by just 325 families, there is never any need to wait or follow large groups of golfers. Golf without tee times isn’t a luxury at Brays Island - it’s a way of life.
The 18-hole, par-72 championship golf course designed by Ron Garl is highlighted by impeccable greens and natural hazards. Sprawling over 300 acres, the course fits naturally into the existing beauty of the plantation.
Golf at Brays Island welcomes the most experienced golfers, as well as those just looking to get into the game. With several PGA professionals on staff, an in-house golf school and extensive practice facilities, anyone can improve their game here on the plantation. Most importantly, everyone will enjoy the experience, which often feels like owning your own golf course.
The Plantation Grill serves daily lunches and weeknight dinners. Play a round of golf and meet your friends at the 19th hole.
A ride through Brays Island Plantation will take you from woodlands and open fields to scenic marshlands — a perfect setting to spend time in the saddle.
We offer stall or pasture boarding and our equestrian center staff is passionate about taking care of our owners’ horses.
For both beginners and seasoned riders, Brays Island has plenty of rental horses on hand — including ponies for trial rides, lessons, or an introduction to the sport.
Our Equestrian Center has 51 stalls, large and small arenas, a training-level dressage arena, and a standard-size round pen. The facility is also equipped with climate-controlled tack rooms, hot/cold wash racks, and a lounge.
Our Equestrian Center also hosts a variety of activities for owners and their families including clinics, group trail rides, and annual holiday celebrations. Our children’s summer equestrian camp offers daily activities based on participants’ riding experience. These range from lessons on horseback to mounted games and trail rides.
If you spend time at our equestrian center, you’ll most likely meet Equestrian Director Nicole Palazzo, a lifelong rider who manages the entire center. Palazzo has a major in animal science and a minor in equine science from Berry College, where she earned many awards with the equestrian team.
Whether fly or spin fishing, in fresh water or in salt, Brays Island is an angler’s paradise. Surrounded by tidal saltwater rivers with direct access to the ocean, our community is a year-round fishery for redfish, speckled trout and flounder, with seasonal runs of cobia, jack crevalle and tarpon.
Our unique salt water ponds, which cannot be replicated today, draw many of the species listed above, including trophy redfish up to 40 pounds. We also have more than 20 freshwater ponds, many of which are managed for trophy large-mouth bass, bream, hybrid striper, and catfish.
Brays Island also has a full-service boating department which provides community rental boats, private boat storage and care, launching, cleaning and fueling services, as well as guided fishing trips.
Educational events such as casting clinics, river piloting courses, shrimping and crabbing classes are also offered regularly.
Our community boat ramp and docks ensure direct, easy access to the Port Royal Sound and the Atlantic Ocean.
After a day of fishing, the fun doesn’t have to end there. Be sure to taste the fruits of your labor. Executive Chef Ron regularly prepares bounties from the day for our owners. It’s as easy as bringing the just-caught fish to Chef Ron at The Grill, and letting him know how you would like it prepared.
There are an abundance of opportunities for fitness and recreation at Brays Island. Swim laps in the outdoor pool along the striking Pocotaligo River, walk in the gorgeous Camellia Garden surrounding the Inn, kayak in our many tidal creeks, or join one of 10 exercise classes each week, including yoga, Pilates, Zumba, stretching, and flexibility.
Adjacent to the Inn, you’ll find Har-Tru tennis courts, with on-court lighting for night play. Meet your neighbors for a game of mixed doubles or attend a Tennis Social and make new friends.
More traditional with your workouts? You can always venture to the exercise room, which offers a variety of cardio machines and weight lifting equipment. Our own personal trainers can even assist you in setting goals and a custom plan to achieve them.
Practice your swing with our tennis professional who offers clinics as well as group or private lessons for players of all ages and skill levels.
The Nature Center at Brays Island offers a unique and fascinating glimpse into the development of the plantation. The rooms are filled with artifacts and pictures that tell the story of Brays Island, as well as numerous wildlife specimens—both preserved and live exhibits—that call it home.
Brays Island’s full-time naturalist leads groups on a wide array of adventures ranging from kayak and wagon tours, to wildflower walks and owl prowls. In addition to regularly offered experiences, the Nature Center also offers custom private nature programs for Brays Island owners and their guests.
Owners also have access to the farm where our dedicated farmer plants and harvests seasonal produce. From radishes to cucumbers, lettuce and sweet corn, fresh produce is enjoyed by owners and served at the on-site dining options including The Plantation Grill.
