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.
Residence to a nature sanctuary, championship golf programs, a sprawling open-air market, and vigorous Lowcountry gatherings, Kiawah appears 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 seaside, half maritime forest, and half resort-style village, Kiawah Island has lots to supply all several types of vacationers.
So whether or not you’re searching for a low-key and enjoyable getaway to the seaside 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 stay 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 seaside locations, dawn is a bit more magical.
Wake at first mild and bike all the way down to the seaside 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 convey espresso out to the balcony for a second to your self earlier than the world wakes up — it’s possible you’ll 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 night time 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 loads to pile onto your plate together with Southern aspect 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 ground to native bands. Craft workshops and island hair braiding supply an opportunity for the little ones to get in on the Lowcountry enjoyable, and native artisans arrange store to promote every thing from jewellery to wooden crafts.
Mingo Level Deal with: 876 Kiawah Island Pkwy, Kiawah Island, SC 29455, United States. Get instructions right here.
3. Trip Bikes On The Seaside and Via The Marshlands
With over 30 miles of paved paths and 10 miles of hard-packed, bikeable seaside, 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 provides 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 previous 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 house to among the nation’s finest 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 embody 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 probably the most spectacular of Kiawah’s programs is the Ocean Course, which has been house to an array of championships together with the 2012 PGA Championship, and is scheduled to host the PGA Championship once more in 2021.
Each one in every of its 18 holes provides jaw-dropping views of the Atlantic — in reality, it boasts probably the most oceanside holes of any course within the Northern Hemisphere.
However it’s not simply stunning; it’s additionally difficult. Coastal winds make this course a formidable problem for even seasoned golfers.
5. Watch a Film within the Pool or Below 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 night time custom at Evening Heron Park. Households collect with pool floats in tow to relax whereas a number of kid-friendly favorites play on an enormous display.
And each Wednesday, Freshfields Village hosts Starlight Cinema, the place visitors of all ages huddle up on seaside chairs and blankets on the village inexperienced to catch family-friendly motion pictures on the large display.
These occasions are among the finest free issues to do in Kiawah Island. It’s the perfect solution to wind down within the night whereas nonetheless having fun with some exterior time.
6. Go Fishing
Everybody from novice anglers to seasoned execs can discover the right spot to go fishing on Kiawah Island. Landlubbers can forged a line off the fishing dock at Bass Pond, a scenic and standard spot close to Rhett’s Bluff, whereas these searching for a bit 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 individuals, and visitors can have the possibility to hook flounder, redfish, and noticed trout.
For individuals who’d prefer to enterprise a bit 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 supply a family-friendly choice for younger anglers to attempt to catch frequent saltwater fish. And each Wednesday morning, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, Bohicket Marina encompasses a fishing match only for youngsters ages 4-14! Study extra right here.
7. Get pleasure from Stay Music and a Summer season Breeze
Chilly drinks, toe-tapping tunes, and a heat breeze — you’ll discover this good trifecta on summer season Thursday nights on the Porch Bar, a neighborhood 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 completely enjoyable summer season soundtrack.
For a livelier expertise that’s match for the entire crew, Freshfields Village hosts weekly Friday Evening Music on the Inexperienced concert events in the summertime.
Carry your chairs and blankets and relax, or get up and bust a transfer to the tunes of southeastern musicians and teams. Every week brings a distinct act, starting from groovy jam bands to rock-and-rollers.
Freshfields Village Deal with: 165 Village Inexperienced Ln, Kiawah Island, SC 29455, United States. Get instructions right here.
8. Witness Wildlife Up Shut
Whether or not you’re searching for it or not, you’ll seemingly spot Kiawah’s native wildlife throughout your travels on the island. It’s possible you’ll 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, they usually’re what makes Kiawah really feel just a bit bit totally different from extra typical seaside locations.
However should you’d prefer to be a bit 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 pictures excursions for individuals who wish to take house reminiscences of the creatures they meet throughout their time on Kiawah Island.
9. Wine & Dine
Homey Italian eateries, traditional sports activities bars, high-class French institutions — there’s a bit little bit of every thing in terms of eating in Freshfields Village.
Carry the youngsters 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 a bit additional out, John’s Island is house 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 very memorable eating expertise, ebook a trip rental with a full kitchen and rent a neighborhood chef for an at-home meal that rivals the island’s finest 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 along with your gourmand dinner.
Planning a Journey to Charleston? Listed below are a couple of of the top-rated excursions there:
10. Take pleasure in Retail Remedy
Certain, you possibly can hit the mall again house. However buying’s a bit 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 a bit 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 a couple of nice choices:
- Andell Inn: Positioned in Freshfields Village, the gorgeous suites right here embody 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 study extra.
- Tennis Membership 4773: This vacation house is a wonderful choice for households and teams. With 3 bedrooms and three bogs, there’s a lot of house. Plus, the seaside 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 study 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 seaside, or a hike one of many nature trails. End the break day with oysters at Mingo Level BBQ.
Kiawah Island is finest recognized 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 provides nature and a little bit of luxurious.
Many celebrities have houses (or had prior to now) on Kiawah Island. Reese Witherspoon, Dan Marino, Richard Gere, George Clooney, and Bruce Willis, to call a couple of. There are different well-known athletes who additionally personal properties on Kiawah.
Sure, anybody can go to Kiawah Island. It is a frequent query, nevertheless, as there’s a guard on the important entrance. However, even should you’re not staying on the island, you might be nonetheless capable of go to for the day. By automobile, flip proper simply earlier than the primary guard gate, and should you preserve driving to the top, you’ll arrive at Beachwalker Park. From the park, nevertheless, you’ll need to 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 a terrific getaway for a day, a weekend, or per week. Begin by looking Kiawah Island Getaway’s assortment of scenic-view and oceanfront trip leases on Kiawah Island.
From penthouses excessive above the seaside to cozy hideaways surrounded by maritime forest, take your choose of picture-perfect leases to function your private home base throughout your time on the island. Pack your luggage and luxuriate in!
