Vacation In Kiawah Island Sc
Are you looking for the right vacation spot that offers a lot of benefits, then Kiawah Island Sc is more than the place for you. It is one of the most sought after beaches in America and one of the most finest places in the world to visit. The place has earned a United State environmental protection agency’s (EPA) Environmental Achievement Award, and it is regarded as one of the best places to visit, tour and relax in.
Are you looking for a beach vacation destination this summer? Why not choose Kiawah Island, South Carolina. This island has a lot to offer vacationers. You’ll encounter lots of family friendly amenities and a peaceful ambiance that will make your stay relaxing and carefree.
The Kiawah Island Resort is a golfer’s delight. There are six championship golf courses, two of which were designed by Tom Fazio and Pete Dye, and there are three more to come. The most famous one is Ocean Course but the Premier high-end resort Sea Pines has Harbour Town Golf Links that is also well known. Because of the area’s high rise condos and luxury resorts it is often used by celebrities. Its main advantages are security, modernity and tourist infrastructure that makes you feel at home in this place. You can choose from a variety of settings and vacation destinations from golf resorts to the family-oriented hotels.
Elegant coastal accommodations with luxurious amenities allow you to unwind and relax from the moment you arrive. The resort is situated on 150 acres of pristine, untouched land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway.
While Charleston is a beloved South Carolina destination, nearby Kiawah Island tends to fly under the radar — and that’s exactly what makes it the perfect place to unwind for a day.
Vacation In Kiawah Island Sc
As soon as you arrive on the magnolia-lined avenues of Kiawah, serenity sets in… Perhaps that’s why it’s consistently voted by T+L readers as one of their favorite islands in the U.S. The only commercial development you’ll find on the island is Freshfields Village, a small town center with an assortment of shops and restaurants, and the crowds of other coastal retreats are blissfully absent.
One of the main draws of Kiawah is the award-winning golf courses. With five public courses to choose from you certainly won’t run out of holes to work on your chip shot. The only danger? Letting the stunning ocean vistas distract you into scoring a double-bogey rather than a birdie.
Kiawah is a quick island getaway that offers pristine natural beauty — with wide golden beaches, maritime forests, and picturesque marshland — and a laid-back, Lowcountry vibe. Here’s how to spend the perfect 24 hours on the charming island.
8 a.m.: Breakfast at Java Java
Start off the day with — what else — coffee, brewed with beans from award-winning King Bean Coffee Roasters in Charleston, or a fresh fruit smoothie if coffee isn’t your preferred morning drink. The cafe also serves a delicious selection of breakfast sandwiches and pastries. Take your brew to go as you window shop the more than 30 boutiques in Freshfields.
9 a.m.: Tee time at the Ocean Course
Of all of the beautifully designed courses on the island, Ocean Course is the most famous — it has hosted several PGA Championship tournaments, and is considered one of the best golf courses in the world. Scoring a tee time at this course guarantees some incredible panoramas of the Atlantic surf while you play. Designed by legendary course designer Pete Dye, the Ocean Course hugs almost three miles of coast, boasting the most seaside holes in the Northern hemisphere.
1 p.m.: Lunch at Ryder Cup Bar
Head straight off the final hole to some post-round drinks at the Ocean Course’s Ryder Cup Bar, where they serve elevated pub fare with low country flair. Order the signature Crispy Shrimp, made with American white shrimp caught by the trawlers you’ll see on the horizon. Ask to sit on the veranda so you can soak in the ocean breeze.
2:30 p.m.: Relax on the sand at Beachwalker Park
One of the most unique characteristics of Kiawah is that it runs east-west as opposed to north-south, so while many other barrier islands battle beach erosion, Kiawah’s 10 miles of beaches are actually growing wider with each passing year. Building regulations on Kiawah keep houses well past the second row of dunes, leaving the beaches peaceful and pristine.
Head to Beachwalker Park, a yearly pick on Dr. Beach’s Top 10 Beaches in America list. Despite the accolades, the beach remains uncrowded even during high season. And with its calm surf and amenities (lifeguards, restrooms and changing rooms, snack stand), it’s a great beach for families with kids of all ages. Didn’t pack beach gear? Chairs, umbrellas, kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards are available to rent from Island Beach Services. They even offer surf lessons if you’re really feeling adventurous.
4:30 p.m.: Bike ride along the nature paths
After enjoying the island’s beautiful Atlantic coast, it’s time to take in another side of Kiawah: its interior, dense with sprawling live oak trees draped with Spanish moss, towering palmettos, stout yucca plants, and expansive marshlands with sea grasses and river tributaries. The best way to explore is via the island’s 30 miles of bike paths.
Don’t be surprised to come across some of the island’s abundant wildlife: bobcats, alligators, herons, deer, bottlenose dolphins, and loggerhead sea turtles are just some of the fascinating animals that make up the island’s ecosystem. (Just remember to always keep your distance and to never feed wild animals.) If you’re hoping to participate in the Turtle Patrol volunteer program to help track turtle nesting and hatching, plan your trip for July through October. Bikes are available to rent from Kiawah Island Golf Resort and SeaCoast Sports and Outfitters in Freshfields Village.
6:30 p.m.: Oysters at Mingo Point Oyster Roast and BBQ
End your bike ride at Mingo Point on the island’s western end, where Kiawah’s longest running tradition happens every Monday night all summer long: a community feast of oysters roasted over an open fire; barbecued ribs, pulled pork, chicken, and steak; along with an assortment of classic Southern side dishes like mac ‘n cheese, collard greens, and Lowcountry red rice and sausage. Live music and watching the sun set over Kiawah River make it the perfect way to close out the evening.
00:00
01:20
You might like
×
This Little known Caribbean Island Has Bright Blue Waters and More Flamingos Than People
14 Best Places to Travel in September
11 Best Small Towns in Washington — From the Mountains to the Coast
The Last Supermoon of the Year Is Happening Tonight — What to Know
This Incredibly Rare Baby Monkey Was Just Born at an Ohio Zoo— See the Adorable Photos
This 23-Day Cruise Takes You to 10 States on Some of the Most Scenic Rivers in the U.S.
This Small Virginia City Is the Perfect Home Base for Beautiful Hikes, Scenic Drives, and an International Dark Sky Park With Epic Stargazing
Foods You Should Avoid on a Cruise — and What to Eat Instead
You Can Renew Your U.S. Passport Online This Month — What to Know
Southwest has Fall, Winter Getaways on Sale for as Low as $59 — but You’ll Have to Book Soon
This Airline Is Allowing Passengers to Disembark From 3 Points for Easy Exiting
American Airlines Cutting 31,000 Flights Ahead of Holiday Season
Heathrow Airport Extends Passenger Cap Through October — What to Know
This Florida Coastal City Is One of the Best Places to Move in the U.S. — Here’s Why
This New Cruise Ship Will Come Packed with 18 Restaurants and Bars — Including a Food Hall and Whiskey Bar
Alaska Mayor on How This Summer s Rockslides Are Affecting Cruises
These New ‘Invisible Cabins’ on a Tennessee Mountaintop Come With Private Hot Tubs
A Volcano Erupted in Iceland This Week Near Reykjavik — See the Photos
Spirit Airlines’ Fall Sale Ending Tomorrow Has $55 One-Way Flights — How You Can Book
CDC Eases COVID-19 Guidelines to Move to a Point Where It ‘No Longer Severely Disrupts Our Daily Lives’
This Gorgeous New York Inn Was Just Crowned the No. 1 Resort in the State
A Passenger Was Just Fined Nearly $2,000 for Bringing McDonald’s Breakfast Sandwiches Into Australia — Here’s Why
More Cruise Lines to Start Allowing Unvaccinated Passengers on Board
This State Is Blanketed With 762 Pounds of Sunflowers in August — How to See Them
These Luxe Safari Stays in Botswana Offer a Glimpse Into the Country s Ancient Culture Na
A Saturn Sighting, a Meteor Shower, and the Year’s Last Supermoon Is All Happening This Month
Everything to Know About Halloween at Disney World
This 14-Day Train Trip Will Take You to 5 National Parks Across the U.S.
Mass Weekend Flight Cancellations Linger Into Monday — What to Know
The 5 Best Islands in Hawaii
American Airlines Becomes Latest Carrier to Preemptively Cut Fall Flights
Frontier Airlines Is Celebrating Shark Week With 50% Off Flights Across the Country — but You’ll Have to Act Fast
Delta Just Announced Brand-New Direct Flights to Cape Town, Tel Aviv, and Tahiti
This Stunning Pacific Northwest Destination Is Home to Idyllic Islands, Epic Whale-Watching Tours, and Rustic Lodges
Flight Prices Are About to Drop by 25%, Hopper Predicts
These U.S. Resorts Feel Just Like Summer Camp — and Are Fun for the Whole Family
These Major Cruise Lines Just Dropped COVID-19 Testing Requirements for Shorter Sailings — What to Know
This Underrated Virginia Destination Has Delicious Wine, Outdoor Adventures, and Spectacular Scenery
The 10 Best Resort Hotels in the Midwest
This California Monument Has the Highest Concentration of Lava Tubes in North America Wi
The Most Unique Airbnb in Every U.S. State
This Luxury Cruise Line Just Announced an Around-the-World Sailing — to 30 Countries in 136 Days
These Are the Most Popular Destinations to Name Your Baby After, Survey Shows
8 of the Cheapest Countries to Retire Around the World
Museums Across the U.S. Will be Free to Enter on This Day in September — Here’s Why
This Galápagos Cruise Is Designed Specially for Children With Autism — With Quiet Rooms, Discussions for Parents, and Experts on Board
Spain Implements Thermostat Mandate — up to 80 Degrees Fahrenheit — Despite Heatwave
15 Best All-Inclusive Honeymoon Resorts Around the World
Shark Sightings at New York Beaches Have Increased — Here’s Why That’s a Good Thing
The 5 Best Islands in Mexico and Central and South America
7:30 p.m.: Dinner at The Ocean Room
For a memorable meal to end your stay, make a reservation at the upscale Ocean Room at the Sanctuary resort, which offers gorgeous coastal views as you dine. The elegant, wood-paneled steakhouse is perennially awarded both Forbes 4-Star and AAA 4-Diamond ratings. Dining here promises superb food and impeccable service, so get dressed up (t-shirts, jeans, shorts, and sandals are not allowed) and indulge.
The menu reflects chef Kyle Bowling’s dedication to using locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients, with five cuts of steak from cows raised on a nearby family farm raised especially for the Ocean Room, as well as expertly-prepared local seafood. Those more inclined towards surf than turf will approve of the restaurant’s impressive sushi lounge. Be sure to also enjoy a selection from the 1,000-bottle wine list to complement your meal.
10 p.m.: Book a room at The Sanctuary
After being thoroughly wined and dined, turn in right upstairs at this five-star oceanside resort, which feels more like a lavish Southern estate rather than a hotel. The lobby is set up like a richly appointed living room. Cozy seating areas around limestone fireplaces open to a foyer with double curved staircases reminiscent of a grand plantation home. Each guest room is outfitted with a soaking tub and walk-in marble shower, plus a private balcony with either ocean or dune views.
With three pools, 22 tennis courts, a luxury spa, nature programs that include marsh canoeing and ocean kayaking, and access to five golf courses, you won’t run out of activities to fill your time.
How to Get There
Kiawah is about a 40-minute drive southwest from Charleston. If you’re coming from farther away, you can fly into Charleston International Airport or access Kiawah by way of Charleston Executive Airport (JZI), approximately 20 minutes away on Johns Island, where many private jet companies fly.
Want to make your trip to Kiawah a regular event? Private jet company NetJets has an exclusive partnership with Kiawah Island Club that offers access to private events hosted on the island, as well as complimentary discovery visits to experience everything on Kiawah.
