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.
House 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 means 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 quite a bit 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 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
In the event you’ve visited (or dwell 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 gentle 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 trying to find 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 — 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 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 provide 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. Experience Bikes On The Seashore and By The Marshlands
With over 30 miles of paved paths and 10 miles of hard-packed, bikeable seaside, biking is a most well-liked technique for getting round Kiawah Island.
Not solely are the bike paths a low-stress technique 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 gives 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 whole shore.
4. Ebook a Tee-Time at Championship Golf Programs
It’s no secret that Kiawah is house to a few 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 entice 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 considered one of its 18 holes gives jaw-dropping views of the Atlantic — the truth is, 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 evening 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 screen.
And each Wednesday, Freshfields Village hosts Starlight Cinema, the place company of all ages huddle up on seaside chairs and blankets on the village inexperienced to catch family-friendly motion pictures on the massive display screen.
These occasions are a few of the greatest free issues to do in Kiawah Island. It’s the perfect technique to wind down within the night whereas nonetheless having fun with some exterior time.
6. Go Fishing
Everybody from novice anglers to seasoned professionals 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 common spot close to Rhett’s Bluff, whereas these on the lookout for slightly extra journey can fee a constitution out of Bohicket Marina.
Wish to take to the waters? Cruise by means 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 company may have the possibility to hook flounder, redfish, and noticed trout.
For individuals 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 giant sharks and black sea bass are widespread catches.
River creek charters additionally provide a family-friendly possibility for younger anglers to attempt to catch widespread saltwater fish. And each Wednesday morning, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, Bohicket Marina contains a fishing event only for children ages 4-14! Be taught 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 season 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 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.
Convey your chairs and blankets and relax, or rise 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 on the lookout for it or not, you’ll doubtless 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 slightly extra intentional in your wildlife search, register for a naturalist-led bike tour by means 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 recollections 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 slightly little bit of every part in the case of eating in Freshfields Village.
Convey 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 elements at Hege’s Restaurant.
In the event 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 varied eating scene of peninsular Charleston is only a 45-minute drive away.
For a really memorable eating expertise, guide 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 here are a number of of the top-rated excursions there:
10. Take pleasure in Retail Remedy
Positive, you may hit the mall again house. However buying’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
This can be a small island, however there are some distinctive lodging. Listed here are a number of nice choices:
- Andell Inn: Positioned in Freshfields Village, the attractive suites right here embody a sizzling breakfast. There’s an onsite swimming pool, a bar, and free parking is offered on the property. Click on right here to study extra.
- Tennis Membership 4773: This vacation house is a superb possibility for households and teams. With 3 bedrooms and three loos, 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 toilet 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’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 day without work with oysters at Mingo Level BBQ.
Kiawah Island is greatest 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 gives 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 a number of. There are different well-known athletes who additionally personal properties on Kiawah.
Sure, anybody can go to Kiawah Island. This can be a widespread query, nevertheless, as there’s a guard on the foremost entrance. However, even should you’re not staying on the island, you might be nonetheless in a position to go to for the day. By automobile, flip proper simply earlier than the primary guard gate, and should you preserve driving to the tip, 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 common vacation spot is only a fast journey from Charleston, making it an ideal 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 own home base throughout your time on the island. Pack your luggage and revel in!