Founded in 1985 as a member-owned private country club, Wachesaw covers roughly 740 acres — including the golf course and the protected natural areas along the river — on the bluffs of the Waccamaw. The land carries a long history: Native Americans lived in villages along these waterways long before European settlers grew indigo and then rice here, and the community occupies the grounds of two former eighteenth-century rice plantations.
The Tom Fazio course threads the old plantation land and is known for elevation changes uncommon in the Carolina Lowcountry. The clubhouse anchors the social life with golf, Kimbel’s waterfront dining, Magnolia’s pool bar and grill, and tennis, and the affiliated equestrian center adds a facility few Strand communities can offer. The result is a community that functions less like a subdivision and more like a small private club town. Note that Wachesaw Plantation, the gated club community, is distinct from the separate, larger Wachesaw East development nearby — confirm which one any listing sits in.
Destination
Wachesaw Plantation (Q2 2026)
Typical single-family range
~$300K to $700K+
Townhomes / villas
Generally below the single-family range
Lot character
Riverfront, golf course, live-oak interior
HOA / membership
Community HOA plus club membership structure
Community size
~740 acres, established 1985
Pricing in Wachesaw Plantation depends largely on the home’s location and type. Riverfront and golf-front homes typically command higher prices than interior properties, while club membership adds to the overall cost of ownership. Buyers should compare homes with similar locations and features rather than price alone. The luxury buying guide explains how to evaluate these premiums. Because inventory is often limited, well-located homes in Wachesaw Plantation tend to remain in strong demand.
Wachesaw Plantation sits on the Horry County side of Murrells Inlet and is served by Horry County Schools, generally within the St. James attendance area: St. James Elementary, St. James Intermediate, St. James Middle, and St. James High School. Because Wachesaw draws a high share of second-home and retirement buyers, schools are a secondary factor for much of the community, but families relocating full-time should confirm the current zone for any specific address with the district before buying.
Wachesaw Plantation is a gated community with an HOA that maintains the entrance, security, and common areas. Club membership for golf, tennis, dining, and other amenities is separate from HOA dues, so total ownership costs vary depending on the membership you choose. Before buying, it’s important to review the current HOA fees, club membership options, and any initiation or transfer fees that may apply.
Wachesaw appeals to the buyer who wants gated privacy, golf, and waterfront behind a single gate, with a member-owned club doing the work of a social anchor. For Northeast relocators in particular, it offers a settled, low-density alternative to the resort strips, with river frontage, a Tom Fazio course, and a club culture that shortens the social adjustment of a long-distance move. Few communities pair a Tom Fazio course, an affiliated equestrian center, and water access where the Waccamaw River meets the inlet behind a single gate. Buyers comparing gated and golf options in Murrells Inlet often tour Wachesaw alongside the master-planned scale of Prince Creek and the value-oriented golf living of Blackmoor before deciding. The gated and golf communities guide maps the full landscape across the Strand.
Yes. Kimbel’s is the club’s restaurant overlooking the Waccamaw River, complemented by Magnolia’s pool bar and grill, both part of the member-owned club’s amenities.
