History

Port Royal Plantation covers the northeast 'heel' of Hilton Head Island, an area rich in layered history. Within its gates stand three significant historical sites: the original 1663 landing of English explorer Captain William Hilton, after whom the island is named; Fort Walker, earthworks built by enslaved laborers in 1861 in anticipation of the Union Navy's assault; and Fort Sherman, renamed after the Union forces captured it in November 1861 in one of the Civil War's first major Union victories. The modern residential community was established in the 1970s as a privately gated enclave with no commercial development permitted inside the gates — a design choice that has preserved its quiet character. Today Port Royal Plantation Community Association maintains 21 beach access points, an arboretum, and miles of leisure trails along the Sound.

Architecture & Housing Stock

Port Royal Plantation occupies approximately 1,200 acres at the 'heel' of Hilton Head Island — the northeast tip where the Atlantic Ocean meets Port Royal Sound. With fewer than 1,000 total home sites and approximately 90% developed, Port Royal is among the island's lower-density private communities, giving it a quieter neighborhood character. Lot sizes range from a quarter acre to over an acre, with exposures to the Atlantic, the Sound, freshwater lagoons, or saltwater estuaries. The community features 21 beach access points (seven with boardwalks) along nearly three miles of private beach, an arboretum, an Olympic-sized pool, and six pickleball courts. No short-term rentals are permitted, preserving a full-time residential atmosphere. Three historical sites — including Fort Walker (built by enslaved laborers in 1861) and the original landing site of explorer William Hilton — are located within the gates.

Active and recently sold homes in Port Royal Plantation range from $500,000 to $8,000,000, with floor plans spanning 1,200–7,000 square feet. View current listings →

• Waterfront Bungalow Smaller coastal cottages and ranch-style homes on quarter-acre to half-acre lots with ocean or lagoon views; original 1970s resort-era construction often updated.
• Lowcountry Estate Larger single-family homes on one-acre-plus lots with deep wraparound porches, tabby accents, and panoramic views of Port Royal Sound or the Atlantic Ocean.
• Contemporary Coastal Recently built or heavily renovated homes with open floor plans, glass walls, and private pools facing either the Atlantic Ocean or the Sound.

Median value sourced from primary data provider.