Kiawah Island Travel Guide

Searching for a golfing getaway? Look no further than Kiawah Island. This beach island on the Atlantic coast in South Carolina is the perfect vacation destination for golf enthusiasts, since it's known for its popular golfing resort. But don’t worry; visitors don’t have to love golf to have a good time in Kiawah Island. In fact, there are 10 miles of pristine beaches and water recreation here, too. When it comes to wining and dining, there is a lot of seafood on the menu. There is everything from casual to fine dining, with American and International cuisine too.

Things to Do in Kiawah Island

In total, there are seven golf courses to choose from in Kiawah Island and they all offer the opportunity to enjoy a round and practice your swing on award-winning courses. In particular, five of the courses are owned by Kiawah Island Golf Resort, while the other two are owned by Kiawah Island Club. For a challenge, the Ocean Course is recommended. For canoeing and kayaking, visitors can head to the Kiawah River. To enjoy stunning views over this area, visitors can head up to the Marsh Island Lookout Tower. To spend time at the beach, head to Kiawah Beachwalker Park.

Best Time to Visit Kiawah Island

Summer is popular in Kiawah Island, but for quieter and more pleasant weather, head to Kiawah Island in spring or the fall.

A Local's Guide to Kiawah Island

Looking for a paradise island vacation? Kiawah Island is a sea island, or barrier island, off the Atlantic Coast of America. The resort is 25 miles southwest of Charleston, South Carolina, and is mainly a private beach.

Golfing

The area is a haven for golfers as the Kiawah Island Golf Resort and the island itself is named as one of the best golfing destinations on the east coast of the United States.

It is a quiet resort with only about 1,600 permanent residents living on the island and makes up part of the Charleston-North Charleston-Summerville metropolitan area.

There are parks, bike trails, hiking routes and plenty of fishing if visitors can tear themselves away from the golf courses.

Kiawah Island has seven award-winning golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Tom Fazio, and Pete Dye. The courses include woodland and oceanfront sites which give different challenges for visiting golfers.

Five of the courses -- the Ocean Course, Turtle Point, Osprey Point, Oak Point, and Cougar Point -- are looked after by Kiawah Island Golf Resort. The River Course and Cassique are owned by Kiawah Island Club.

Ocean Course was designed by Pete Dye in 1991 and is one of the toughest in the area. It hosted the 1991 Ryder Cup and senior PGA Championships. This golf course also appeared in the 2000 movie The Legend of Bagger Vance.

Outdoors & Adventure

This island is more than just the stunning golf courses though. Beachwalker County Park is on the west of the island and has 30 miles of paved walking trails and 10 miles of beach, including East Beach and West Beach, which are perfect for long strolls and biking.

For fishermen, there are many launching points across the island. Deep sea fishing excursions go from the island every day and Kiawah Island Club Members enjoy private access to a kayak dock in Cassique, while the Kiawah Community Association maintains a launch at Cinder Creek and Rhett's Bluff. Marshes and creeks snake across the island which are perfect for exploring in a canoe or kayak.

Active vacationers can rent a bike and hit one of the many biking trails on the island. The Kiawah Island Golf Resort has more than just the legendary fairways as well. The resort is a top tennis center and has the Roy Barth Tennis Center which offers a weekly program for children and adults.

Visitors to Kiawah Island can spot wildlife at Night Heron Park. There are hummingbirds, sea turtles and even alligators!

For dining and evening entertainment, head to Freshfields Village for a charming mix of shops, bars and a farmer’s market.

With so many rental properties to choose from on Kiawah Island, families and couples can make the most of their island vacation. Most island vacation rentals are close to the coastline as the island is so small it's the perfect way to enjoy the natural landscape.

Some rentals come with a private pool or even an on-site hot tub. Choose an apartment or condo with several bathrooms if you're visiting with a large group to ensure the vacation go smoothly. The best time to book rental homes on Kiawah Island is during late spring and fall, as there are less crowds. Peak times on Kaiawah Island are from April to October.

Condos in Kiawah Island

With pristine beaches, miles of biking trials, world-class golfing facilities, and a huge number of Kiawah Island vacation rentals, it's hardly surprising that Kiawah Island South Carolina has visitors flock from across the globe to vacation here. Overall, there are seven golf courses to choose from, with some of the most popular being the Turtle Point Golf Course, Cougar Point, Ocean Course, and Osprey Point Golf Course. If golfing is not your thing, head to Marsh Island Lookout Tower for stunning ocean views, learn about the history of the island at the Vanderhorst Plantation, or spot wildlife in Night Heron Park. For shopping, bars, restaurants, and entertainment, Freshfields Village is the place to be, while outdoor enthusiasts can make use of the 30 miles of paved trails or 10 miles of beach.

Kiawah Island SC has many rental homes available. Some rentals in Kiawah Island even come with private pools, meaning you could spend your whole trip simply enjoying the warm weather in your Kiawah Island condo rental. The hardest choice when picking a rental property will be deciding if you want to stay in East Beach or West Beach!