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 the town.
Residence to a nature sanctuary, championship golf programs, a sprawling open-air market, and full of life Lowcountry gatherings, Kiawah appears like a world of its personal.
You’ll spot dolphins splashing in its river, households watching films or dancing collectively on its village inexperienced, and cyclists pedaling by way of its miles and miles of motorbike trails.
Issues To Do in Kiawah Island
Half sandy seashore, half maritime forest, and half resort-style village, Kiawah Island has lots to supply all various kinds of vacationers.
So whether or not you’re in search of a low-key and enjoyable getaway to the seashore or a coastal journey for the entire household, take a look at this listing 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 listing 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 gentle 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 could 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 lots 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 toes 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 part 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 Seashore and By means of The Marshlands
With over 30 miles of paved paths and 10 miles of hard-packed, bikeable seashore, biking is a most well-liked technique for getting round Kiawah Island.
Not solely are the bike paths a low-stress option to get from level A to level B, however they’re additionally typically 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 complete shore.
4. Guide 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 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 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 — the truth is, it boasts essentially the most oceanside holes of any course within the Northern Hemisphere.
However it’s not simply stunning; 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 films isn’t only a wet day affair. Throughout summertime, you’ll have two choices for alfresco flicks.
Dive-in films are a Tuesday night time custom at Night time Heron Park. Households collect with pool floats in tow to chill whereas a number of kid-friendly favorites play on an enormous display screen.
And each Wednesday, Freshfields Village hosts Starlight Cinema, the place visitors of all ages huddle up on seashore chairs and blankets on the village inexperienced to catch family-friendly films on the massive display screen.
These occasions are among the finest free issues to do in Kiawah Island. It’s the best option to wind down within the night whereas nonetheless having fun with some exterior time.
6. Go Fishing
Everybody from beginner anglers to seasoned execs can discover the proper spot to go fishing on Kiawah Island. Landlubbers can forged a line off the fishing dock at Bass Pond, a scenic and widespread spot close to Rhett’s Bluff, whereas these in search of slightly extra journey can fee a constitution out of Bohicket Marina.
Need 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 many who’d prefer to enterprise slightly 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 time Breeze
Chilly drinks, toe-tapping tunes, and a heat breeze — you’ll discover this excellent trifecta on summer time 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 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.
Convey your chairs and blankets and chill, or arise and bust a transfer to the tunes of southeastern musicians and teams. Every week brings a special 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 in search of it or not, you’ll seemingly 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 totally different from extra typical seashore locations.
However in the event you’d prefer to be slightly 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, basic sports activities bars, high-class French institutions — there’s slightly little bit of every part in relation to eating in Freshfields Village.
Convey 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 elements at Hege’s Restaurant.
When you’re seeking to enterprise slightly 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 decide up a bottle to take pleasure in along with your connoisseur dinner.
Planning a Journey to Charleston? Listed below are a couple of of the top-rated excursions there:
10. Bask in Retail Remedy
Positive, you may hit the mall again house. However procuring’s slightly extra enjoyable at Freshfields Village. This open-air market is Kiawah Island’s model of Predominant Avenue, and it’s lined with high-end retailers, native craftspeople, and quaint boutiques.
Spend the afternoon indulging in slightly 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 embrace a sizzling breakfast. There’s an onsite swimming pool, a bar, and free parking is on the market 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 loos, there’s a number of area. 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 excellent 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 possibly can spend a day at Kiawah Island having fun with a spherical of golf, lunch and procuring at Freshfields Village, a swim on the seashore, or a hike one of many nature trails. End the time off 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 properties (or had up 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, nonetheless, as there’s a guard on the major entrance. However, even in the event you’re not staying on the island, you might be nonetheless in a position to go to for the day. By automotive, flip proper simply earlier than the primary guard gate, and in the event you hold driving to the tip, you’ll arrive at Beachwalker Park. From the park, nonetheless, 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 widespread vacation spot is only a fast journey from Charleston, making it an incredible getaway for a day, a weekend, or per week. Begin by shopping 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 decide of picture-perfect leases to function your private home base throughout your time on the island. Pack your baggage and revel in!
