WaterSound Beach vs. Sanctuary at Redfish

luvthebeach57 luvthebeach57 avatar

luvthebeach57Beach LoverColumbia, MD71 postsJoined Feb 11, '08View profile MessageBeach Lover

Feb 17, '08 · 1:26 PM8,438

I'm planning our vacation for early August. After doing extensive research for about a month, I've narrowed down our choices to a condo at WaterSound or the Sanctuary at Redfish. Both are available for about the same rate, so price isn't an issue. What I feel is important is:

privacy
natural surroundings
nice pools
easy access to the beach
beach in area without high-rise condos and townhomes
area conducive to walking or riding bikes
attractive and modern furnishings
proximity to restaurants and shopping

WaterSound Beach meets all the above criteria, but will be a bit more "busy" than the Sanctuary at Redfish which I expect will be practically empty. Getting to the beach will be by shuttle boat or by car if we stay at Redfish, which is a drawback. I've been looking at photos of WaterSound and I'm impressed with the beauty of the area. The bridges and walkways that wind through the dunes are very attractive.

I'm hoping that some of you might share your opinions as to which you prefer and why.

:chill:

Replies

Beach Runner Beach Runner avatar

Beach Runnerbeats on hoodNear the ATL and in SoWal as often as possible15,269 postsJoined Jul 9, '05View profile Messagebeats on hood

Feb 17, '08 · 1:38 PM#2

Getting to the beach from Redfish would be inconvenient IMO. Watersound is south of 30-A; even the ones farthest from the beach are an easy bike ride to the beach (no highways to cross).

up4golfup4golfBeach Lover145 postsJoined Nov 23, '07View profile MessageBeach Lover

Feb 17, '08 · 6:49 PM#3

of the two watersound,although you should check watercolor.

Jdarg

JdargSoWal Expert18,040 postsJoined Feb 15, '05View profile MessageSoWal Expert

Feb 17, '08 · 6:52 PM#4

I don't think Watersound could ever be really "busy"- it is so spread out and beautiful. It takes my breath away every time I am lucky enough to visit!

luvthebeach57 luvthebeach57 avatar

luvthebeach57Beach LoverColumbia, MD71 postsJoined Feb 11, '08View profile MessageBeach LoverAuthor

Feb 17, '08 · 7:33 PM#5

I don't think Watersound could ever be really "busy"- it is so spread out and beautiful. It takes my breath away every time I am lucky enough to visit!

I'm glad to hear that it won't be busy. From what I've read, WaterSound Beach is spread out over 256 acres and has 1 mile of beachfront. Plus there are three community pools. That seems like plenty of room for everyone. However, I do think there will definitely be more people there than at the Sanctuary at Redfish.

LindaLindaBeach Fanatic806 postsJoined Jul 11, '05View profile MessageBeach Fanatic

Feb 17, '08 · 9:59 PM#6

My preference would definitely be Watersound.

2bohemians 2bohemians avatar

2bohemiansBeach Fanatic1,227 postsJoined Jul 11, '05View profile MessageBeach Fanatic

Feb 17, '08 · 10:33 PM#7

I don't think Watersound could ever be really "busy"- it is so spread out and beautiful. It takes my breath away every time I am lucky enough to visit!

We've got to agree with you ... Watersound is breathtaking .... we have spent a lot of time on the property over the past 6 months ... it's so quiet and we love the way it blends into the nature ... and all the pathways to the beach .... it is in our opinion the nicest of the 30A developments if you are looking for privacy and uncrowded beaches ....

Spent the day there yesterday taking photos of a condo that some clients of ours are going to make an offer .... one of the things we love most about this unit is that when you sit on your balcony and look east you see nothing but dunes & beautiful beach ... if you look west, you can see the rest of the property but only (1) tall building in the distant beach

2bohemians 2bohemians avatar

2bohemiansBeach Fanatic1,227 postsJoined Jul 11, '05View profile MessageBeach Fanatic

Feb 17, '08 · 10:47 PM#8

Watersound:

privacy 256 acres .. many places to find your own secret spot
natural surroundings dune lakes, Deer Lake state park, nature trails on property and across the 30A, and of course the beach
nice pools several pools on property
easy access to the beach several paths to the beach
beach in area without high-rise condos and townhomes property is so large you don't really see any
area conducive to walking or riding bikes just go out of the property and hit the 30A bike path, or the nature trails on the north side of 30A
attractive and modern furnishings every condo or home we've viewed has been exquisite
proximity to restaurants and shopping rosemary beach just to the east and seagrove / seaside just west of the property

SHELLY

SHELLYSoWal Insider5,763 postsJoined Jun 13, '05View profile MessageSoWal Insider

Feb 17, '08 · 11:40 PM#9

WaterSound.

Your requirement for "easy access to the beach" would make the boatride to the beach at the Sanctuary a deal-breaker.

.

Edited Feb 17, '08 · 11:43 PM

Smiling JOe Smiling JOe avatar

Smiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined Nov 18, '04View profile MessageSoWal Expert

Feb 18, '08 · 10:30 AM#10

WaterSound would be my personal choice. "Easy access to the beach," is too vague. WaterSound has easy access, but it will still be a haul with a bunch of beach gear. Sanct at Redfish does have the boat shuttle, but I wonder what time the boat driver stops running. If sunsets on the beach are important and the driver stops running at 7pm, you may be out of luck. I also wouldn't count on driving to the 83 Access if staying at Sanct at RF, because parking is very limited and there may not be space to park.

WaterSound is probably going to feel much more private than Sanctuary at Redfish, even though Sanct. at RF may be mostly empty.

egrpegrpBeach Lover122 postsJoined Sep 22, '05View profile MessageBeach Lover

Feb 18, '08 · 11:50 AM#11

i'm very surprised the prices of these 2 are the same...watersound is by the far the superior community and it should not feel "busy" at all...its pretty exclusive with plenty of space to spread out...10x better architecture and beauty imho

luvthebeach57 luvthebeach57 avatar

luvthebeach57Beach LoverColumbia, MD71 postsJoined Feb 11, '08View profile MessageBeach LoverAuthor

Feb 18, '08 · 11:54 AM#12

Thanks so much to everyone for their feedback and opinions. You have helped me make my decision. We will book a place at WaterSound for sure! I've already found one condo owner willing to discount their rent 40% off their summer rate for the first week of August. Does anyone know any vacation rental management companies that might have properties available at WaterSound? Does anyone know any owners who have NOT advertised on VRBO? I've already contacted all of those people.

luvthebeach57 luvthebeach57 avatar

luvthebeach57Beach LoverColumbia, MD71 postsJoined Feb 11, '08View profile MessageBeach LoverAuthor

Feb 18, '08 · 12:00 PM#13

i'm very surprised the prices of these 2 are the same...watersound is by the far the superior community and it should not feel "busy" at all...its pretty exclusive with plenty of space to spread out...10x better architecture and beauty imho

Personally, I think the condos at the Sanctuary at Redfish are overpriced for their location. Most of the 3-bdm condos I was looking at were asking $2400-$2600/week. The 4-bdm units are even more. :shock:

Matt J

Matt JSWGB24,862 postsJoined May 9, '07View profile MessageSWGB

Feb 18, '08 · 12:26 PM#14

Thanks so much to everyone for their feedback and opinions. You have helped me make my decision. We will book a place at WaterSound for sure! I've already found one condo owner willing to discount their rent 40% off their summer rate for the first week of August. Does anyone know any vacation rental management companies that might have properties available at WaterSound? Does anyone know any owners who have NOT advertised on VRBO? I've already contacted all of those people.

www.watersoundvacations.com

JBBeach FanaticTuscaloosa1,445 postsJoined Nov 17, '04View profile MessageBeach Fanatic

Feb 18, '08 · 3:16 PM#15

Watersound is a pretty big development. Couple questions for those who might know: Is there some kind of shuttle service that can get people to and from the beach? I know the beach club is private, but are the other pools available for renters?

Beachbummette Beachbummette avatar

BeachbummetteSoWal InsiderBirmingham and Watersound5,742 postsJoined Jul 16, '05View profile MessageSoWal Insider

Feb 18, '08 · 7:10 PM#16

:welcome: to Watersound luvthebeach57! You will love it. As jdarg said, it is breathtaking.

Which set of condo's are you looking at? Each condo complex has a pool for each complex..... then we have two different neighborhood pools. The neighborhood pool next to the Compass Pointe condo's has a grill that is open in season. The condo's are very close to the beach and you won't have much of a walk, some units have little wagons or buggies for your stuff....it is well worth the walk anyway.....walking through those dunes is like walking in a beautiful snowscape

If you want to use the private beach club be sure and rent a unit that has a membership. I don't know what age group you will have with you, but if you have small children they all LOVE the beach club pool. It has two wade in areas and fountains on one end with big turtles the kids love to play on. It also has the most helpful staff and excellent bartenders. We have the best view in town!!

Don't forget we also have the yacht pond, endless walking trails, puttering park, post office, bikes for rent, the lake for paddling, the preserve on the west end next to Deer Lake State Park, and a gym. At the main gate house is a cafe that is open all day with excellent food. Be sure and try the breakfast burrito! Yum! .

Let me know when y'all are in town and if I am there I will be the Watersound Welcome Wagon! :wave:

Edited Feb 18, '08 · 7:14 PM

luvthebeach57 luvthebeach57 avatar

luvthebeach57Beach LoverColumbia, MD71 postsJoined Feb 11, '08View profile MessageBeach LoverAuthor

Feb 18, '08 · 7:19 PM#17

Thanks for all the info, beachbummet! We are specifically looking at a Compass Point I condo right now. The owner has a membership to the beach club, so we can use that pool. Our daughter isn't little any more (she's a teenager). But I've seen pictures of the pool there and it looks fantastic.

I am getting so excited about this vacation!!

Matt J

Matt JSWGB24,862 postsJoined May 9, '07View profile MessageSWGB

Feb 18, '08 · 9:54 PM#18

I think I'm wrong, but if you rent thru Noble House don't you have access to the beach club?

JBBeach FanaticTuscaloosa1,445 postsJoined Nov 17, '04View profile MessageBeach Fanatic

Feb 25, '08 · 8:49 AM#19

I just reserved a unit at Compass Point for mid-May. Anyone have any experience with this area? What are the surrounding grounds like? Any pools close by?