Most travellers know Charleston, the darling southern gem only a stone’s throw from South Carolina’s coast. However few learn about all of the enjoyable issues to do in Kiawah Island, the naturally preserved escape that’s only a 35-minute drive from town.
Dwelling to a nature sanctuary, championship golf programs, a sprawling open-air market, and vigorous Lowcountry gatherings, Kiawah looks like a world of its personal.
You’ll spot dolphins splashing in its river, households watching motion pictures or dancing collectively on its village inexperienced, and cyclists pedaling by way of its miles and miles of motorcycle trails.
Issues To Do in Kiawah Island
Half sandy seashore, half maritime forest, and half resort-style village, Kiawah Island has so much to supply all several types of vacationers.
So whether or not you’re on the lookout for a low-key and enjoyable getaway to the seashore or a coastal journey for the entire household, try this checklist of the highest 10 issues to do on Kiawah Island.
1. Watch The Solar Rise Over The Ocean
When you’ve visited (or reside on) the East Coast, seeing the dawn over the ocean might be one thing you knocked off your bucket checklist a very long time in the past.
However as a result of Kiawah Island is of course preserved and extra sparsely populated than different seashore locations, dawn is a bit more magical.
Wake at first mild and bike right down to the seashore to unfold a blanket, see the solar peek out over the ocean, and watch coastal birds swoop round looking for breakfast.
Higher but, reserve an oceanfront trip rental and produce espresso out to the balcony for a second to your self earlier than the world wakes up — you might even spot Kiawah’s white-tailed deer grazing within the dune grass throughout these quiet morning hours.
2. Chow Down at a Lowcountry Cookout
Each Monday evening in the summertime (and on most main holidays), islanders and guests alike head to the banks of the Kiawah River for a long-standing custom: the Mingo Level Oyster Roast and BBQ.
There’s a lot to pile onto your plate together with Southern facet dishes and desserts and mouth-watering mains cooked over an open fireplace — from fresh-caught oysters to smoked hen and pulled pork.
Whereas some feast, you’ll spot others kicking up their ft on the dance flooring to native bands. Craft workshops and island hair braiding provide an opportunity for the little ones to get in on the Lowcountry enjoyable, and native artisans arrange store to promote every little thing from jewellery to wooden crafts.
Mingo Level Tackle: 876 Kiawah Island Pkwy, Kiawah Island, SC 29455, United States. Get instructions right here.
3. Experience Bikes On The Seaside and By way of The Marshlands
With over 30 miles of paved paths and 10 miles of hard-packed, bikeable seashore, biking is a most well-liked methodology for getting round Kiawah Island.
Not solely are the bike paths a low-stress solution to get from level A to level B, however they’re additionally usually a vacation spot in themselves.
Spend a day biking alongside tropical wetlands, then cease to tour Marsh Island Park and climb the tower, which affords views out over Kiawah’s preserved marshes and coastal panorama.
Proceed pedaling alongside the Kiawah Island Parkway and out to Rhett’s Bluff to find the outdated Shoolbred cemetery and the dock overlooking the Kiawah River. Or just coast alongside the tide line to see the size of the island’s total shore.
4. E book a Tee-Time at Championship Golf Programs
It’s no secret that Kiawah is residence to a number of the nation’s greatest golf. Hyperlinks Journal, Conde Nast Traveler, and Golf World have all acknowledged the island as a prime golf vacation spot, and its 5 world-class programs appeal to golfers from close to and much.
Highlights of Kiawah’s golf choices embrace Turtle Level, a Jack Nicklaus-designed course that blends seamlessly into the scenic panorama, and Osprey Level, that includes 4 pure lakes and dense forests.
However essentially the most spectacular of Kiawah’s programs is the Ocean Course, which has been residence to an array of championships together with the 2012 PGA Championship, and is scheduled to host the PGA Championship once more in 2021.
Each certainly one of its 18 holes affords jaw-dropping views of the Atlantic — actually, it boasts essentially the most oceanside holes of any course within the Northern Hemisphere.
Nevertheless it’s not simply lovely; it’s additionally tough. Coastal winds make this course a formidable problem for even seasoned golfers.
5. Watch a Film within the Pool or Underneath The Stars
On Kiawah, watching motion pictures isn’t only a wet day affair. Throughout summertime, you’ll have two choices for alfresco flicks.
Dive-in motion pictures are a Tuesday evening custom at Night time Heron Park. Households collect with pool floats in tow to sit back whereas a collection of kid-friendly favorites play on an enormous display.
And each Wednesday, Freshfields Village hosts Starlight Cinema, the place friends of all ages huddle up on seashore chairs and blankets on the village inexperienced to catch family-friendly motion pictures on the large display.
These occasions are a number of the greatest free issues to do in Kiawah Island. It’s the best solution to wind down within the night whereas nonetheless having fun with some exterior time.
6. Go Fishing
Everybody from beginner anglers to seasoned professionals can discover the proper spot to go fishing on Kiawah Island. Landlubbers can solid a line off the fishing dock at Bass Pond, a scenic and standard spot close to Rhett’s Bluff, whereas these on the lookout for just a little extra journey can fee a constitution out of Bohicket Marina.
Wish to take to the waters? Cruise by way of Kiawah’s creeks and marshes on a four-hour inshore fishing tour. These catch-and-release charters maintain a most of six folks, and friends may have the prospect to hook flounder, redfish, and noticed trout.
For many who’d prefer to enterprise just a little additional offshore, close to coastal and reef fishing charters will whisk you as much as synthetic reefs and wrecks as much as seven miles out, the place massive sharks and black sea bass are frequent catches.
River creek charters additionally provide a family-friendly possibility for younger anglers to try to catch frequent saltwater fish. And each Wednesday morning, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, Bohicket Marina incorporates a fishing event only for youngsters ages 4-14! Study extra right here.
7. Take pleasure in Dwell Music and a Summer time Breeze
Chilly drinks, toe-tapping tunes, and a heat breeze — you’ll discover this good trifecta on summer time Thursday nights on the Porch Bar, an area favourite in Kiawah’s Freshfields Village.
Catch a sundown over Andell Lake, settle right into a southern swing or rocking chair, and order your favourite cocktail whereas native jazz bands present a very enjoyable summer time soundtrack.
For a livelier expertise that’s match for the entire crew, Freshfields Village hosts weekly Friday Night time Music on the Inexperienced concert events in the summertime.
Deliver your chairs and blankets and sit back, or rise up and bust a transfer to the tunes of southeastern musicians and teams. Every week brings a unique act, starting from groovy jam bands to rock-and-rollers.
Freshfields Village Tackle: 165 Village Inexperienced Ln, Kiawah Island, SC 29455, United States. Get instructions right here.
8. Witness Wildlife Up Shut
Whether or not you’re on the lookout for it or not, you’ll doubtless spot Kiawah’s native wildlife throughout your travels on the island. You might glimpse dolphins strand feeding within the Kiawah River, an alligator wandering throughout a golf course, or a white-tailed deer prancing within the dune grass.
None of these sights are unusual, and so they’re what makes Kiawah really feel just a bit bit completely different from extra typical seashore locations.
However when you’d prefer to be just a little extra intentional in your wildlife search, register for a naturalist-led bike tour by way of Kiawah’s wetlands, a birding tour to distant island locations, a gator stroll, or a dolphin cruise.
Naturalists additionally set out on images excursions for many who wish to take residence reminiscences of the creatures they meet throughout their time on Kiawah Island.
9. Wine & Dine
Homey Italian eateries, basic sports activities bars, high-class French institutions — there’s just a little little bit of every little thing relating to eating in Freshfields Village.
Deliver the children for a laid-back household dinner at King Avenue Grille, or deal with your self to a three-course meal ready with native components at Hege’s Restaurant.
When you’re trying to enterprise just a little additional out, John’s Island is residence to genuine Mexican eating places, farm-style southern gems, and French-Southern fusion. And for die-hard foodies, the various eating scene of peninsular Charleston is only a 45-minute drive away.
For a really memorable eating expertise, e book a trip rental with a full kitchen and rent an area chef for an at-home meal that rivals the island’s greatest eating places.
Higher but, make a visit to Forty-Eight Wine Bar beforehand to pattern reds and whites and choose up a bottle to take pleasure in together with your gourmand dinner.
Planning a Journey to Charleston? Listed below are just a few of the top-rated excursions there:
10. Take pleasure in Retail Remedy
Positive, you possibly can hit the mall again residence. However buying’s just a little extra enjoyable at Freshfields Village. This open-air market is Kiawah Island’s model of Essential Avenue, and it’s lined with high-end retailers, native craftspeople, and quaint boutiques.
Spend the afternoon indulging in just a little little bit of retail remedy, then end off the day with a glass of wine or a rejuvenating spa therapeutic massage.
The place to Keep on Kiawah Island
It is a small island, however there are some distinctive lodging. Listed below are just a few nice choices:
- Andell Inn: Situated in Freshfields Village, the attractive suites right here embrace a sizzling breakfast. There’s an onsite swimming pool, a bar, and free parking is out there on the property. Click on right here to be taught extra.
- Tennis Membership 4773: This vacation residence is a wonderful possibility for households and teams. With 3 bedrooms and three bogs, there’s a lot of house. Plus, the seashore is simply 650 meters from the home. Click on right here for particulars.
- Marsh Vista: That is one other 3 bed room, 3 rest room home that’s good for teams or households. The kitchen has all of the necessities you’ll want, plus there’s satellite tv for pc TV and parking. Click on right here to be taught extra.
Visiting Kiawah Island: FAQ’s
You’ll be able to spend a day at Kiawah Island having fun with a spherical of golf, lunch and buying at Freshfields Village, a swim on the seashore, or a hike one of many nature trails. End the day without work with oysters at Mingo Level BBQ.
Kiawah Island is greatest identified for its pure magnificence and luxurious. On the island, you’ll discover world-class {golfing}, facilities, and resorts, with the chance to see dolphins, alligators, turtles and different wildlife of their pure habitat. This unspoiled barrier island affords nature and a little bit of luxurious.
Many celebrities have properties (or had previously) on Kiawah Island. Reese Witherspoon, Dan Marino, Richard Gere, George Clooney, and Bruce Willis, to call just a few. There are different well-known athletes who additionally personal properties on Kiawah.
Sure, anybody can go to Kiawah Island. It is a frequent query, nonetheless, as there’s a guard on the essential entrance. However, even when you’re not staying on the island, you’re nonetheless capable of go to for the day. By automobile, flip proper simply earlier than the primary guard gate, and when you maintain driving to the top, you’ll arrive at Beachwalker Park. From the park, nonetheless, you’ll should go by foot or by bicycle if you wish to see different areas of Kiawah Island.
Now You Know What To Do in Kiawah Island
Able to make your escape to Kiawah Island? This standard vacation spot is only a fast journey from Charleston, making it an awesome getaway for a day, a weekend, or every week. Begin by searching Kiawah Island Getaway’s assortment of scenic-view and oceanfront trip leases on Kiawah Island.
From penthouses excessive above the seashore to cozy hideaways surrounded by maritime forest, take your choose of picture-perfect leases to function your property base throughout your time on the island. Pack your baggage and revel in!
