10 Greatest Issues To Do In Kiawah Island, South Carolina
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 seems 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 via 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 various kinds of vacationers.
So whether or not you’re on the lookout for a low-key and stress-free 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
For those who’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 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 vacation 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 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 Point 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 rooster 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 thing from jewellery to wooden crafts.
Mingo Level Handle: 876 Kiawah Island Pkwy, Kiawah Island, SC 29455, United States. Get directions here.
3. Trip Bikes On The Seashore and By way of 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 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 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 whole shore.
4. E-book a Tee-Time at Championship Golf Programs
It’s no secret that Kiawah is house to a few of the nation’s finest golf. Links Magazine, 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 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 certainly one of its 18 holes gives jaw-dropping views of the Atlantic — in actual fact, 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 Beneath 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 Night Heron Park. Households collect with pool floats in tow to chill whereas a number of kid-friendly favorites play on a giant display screen.
And each Wednesday, Freshfields Village hosts Starlight Cinema, the place friends of all ages huddle up on seaside chairs and blankets on the village inexperienced to catch family-friendly motion pictures on the large display screen.
These occasions are a few of 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 outdoors time.
6. Go Fishing
Everybody from beginner anglers to seasoned execs can discover the right spot to go fishing on Kiawah Island. Landlubbers can solid a line off the fishing dock at Bass Pond, a scenic and widespread spot close to Rhett’s Bluff, whereas these on the lookout for a bit extra journey can fee a constitution out of Bohicket Marina.
Wish to take to the waters? Cruise via 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 can have the prospect 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 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 incorporates a fishing match only for children ages 4-14! Learn more here.
7. Take pleasure in Dwell Music and a Summer season 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 very stress-free 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 chill, or get 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 Handle: 165 Village Inexperienced Ln, Kiawah Island, SC 29455, United States. Get directions 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, and so they’re what makes Kiawah really feel just a bit bit completely different from extra typical seaside locations.
However in the event you’d prefer to be a bit extra intentional in your wildlife search, register for a naturalist-led bike tour via 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 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 a bit little bit of every thing with regards to 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 substances at Hege’s Restaurant.
For those who’re seeking 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, e-book a trip rental with a full kitchen and rent an area 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 gourmand dinner.
Planning a Journey to Charleston? Listed here are a number of of the top-rated excursions there:
10. Bask in Retail Remedy
Certain, you possibly can hit the mall again house. However procuring’s a bit extra enjoyable at Freshfields Village. This open-air market is Kiawah Island’s model of Principal 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
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 embrace a scorching breakfast. There’s an onsite swimming pool, a bar, and free parking is out there on the property. Click here to learn more.
- Tennis Club 4773: This vacation house is a wonderful possibility for households and teams. With 3 bedrooms and three loos, there’s a number of house. Plus, the seaside is simply 650 meters from the home. Click here for details.
- 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 here to learn more.
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 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 gives nature and a little bit of luxurious.
Many celebrities have homes (or had up to now) 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 important entrance. However, even in the event you’re not staying on the island, you’re nonetheless in a position to go to for the day. By automobile, flip proper simply earlier than the primary guard gate, and in the event you maintain 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 widespread vacation spot is only a fast journey from Charleston, making it an incredible getaway for a day, a weekend, or every week. Begin by shopping 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 decide of picture-perfect leases to function your own home base throughout your time on the island. Pack your luggage and luxuriate in!
