Location: Kiawah Island
Top Things to do in Kiawah Island
Top Restaurants in Kiawah Island
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Top 10 Things to do in Kiawah Island, South Carolina (SC)
Nature lovers unite on this barrier island on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean 21 miles south of Charleston. Brimming with lush foliage at every glance, Kiawah Island has ten miles of wide sandy beaches, 123 acres of parks, 30 miles of hiking and biking trails, and world-class golf courses. To get a true sense of the beauty of Kiawah Island venture to Marsh Island Park where you’ll be rewarded with stunning scenic views atop the Marsh Island Lookout Tower of the Kiawah River, saltwater marshes, and island hammocks. For animal lovers, don’t miss the Heron Park Nature Center where you can participate in nature tours and programs, birding walks, butterfly walks, and alligator walks. Bird admirers love the Great Egret Rookery, a spot where you can typically see several dozen of the magnificent white birds in trees over a lagoon. For an exceptional picnic area head to Beachwalker Park, which has a wide boardwalk that winds through palmettos, oaks, and pines. Golf on Kiawah Island is not just any recreation amenity, it’s a way of life. There are five championship courses on the island highlighted by the Pete Dye designed Ocean Course site of the 1991 Ryder Cup matches and 2007 Senior PGA Championship. In 2012, the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort will host the 94th PGA Championship. Other courses to play include the Jack Nicklaus designed Turtle Point and Gary Player designed Cougar Point courses.
Restaurants in Kiawah Island
1. Saltfisher Charters
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
For the best of Kiawah Fishing Charters, Dolphin, Eco Tours, Charleston Harbor History tours, contact us! Capt. Mike has conducted several thousand excursions for the Kiawah Nature Center since 2004 and is an expert in the local waters. The boat is a 26 foot Avenger that carries a maximum of 6 people. When you call to make your reservation, request Capt. Mike. He loves sharing his passion for the outdoors with visitors to the area.
2. Sonny Boy Charters
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 20 reviews
Operating out of Bohicket Marina, Sonny Boy Charters provides unforgettable nearshore and inshore fishing charters, dolphin watching tours, or sunset cruises in and around Kiawah and Seabrook islands.
3. Alligator Bike
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 17 reviews
4. Kiawah Fine Jewelry
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 24 reviews
5. Palmetto Scent Studio
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
Explore the art of fragrance at Palmetto Scent Studio! Select 2-3 of your favorite scents, selecting from over 120, to create your own custom-fragranced premium soy wax candle, wax tart, reed diffuser, room spray or body product. You can also select from among our more than 120 pre-made, true-to-scent candles. Reservations strongly recommended; however, we do take walk-in when space is available. Private parties can also be arranged!
Reviewed By GamecockGirl - Columbia, United States
Seriously -- go there and try this! Glenda makes this adventure a great blend of fun and learning while you create unique products such as candles, body cremes, body scrubs, room sprays, etc. All this happens in a beautiful space with lots of natural light and good vibes. You can bring in your own beverages or purchase drinks in to-go cups from nearby bars and restaurants and bring those in. Be prepared to spend about 30 to 45- minutes making your products and about another 1.5 hours for the products to be ready for pickup. My boyfriend and I went to the PSS after an overnight stay at Sanctuary at Kiawah, and we went to the studio before heading back home. It was the perfect way to wrap up a wonderful (but too short) birthday trip. Thank you, Glenda! We'll come back the next time we're in that area (which I hope is soon).
6. Wells Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By EvanGuthrie - Charleston, United States
Wells Gallery at the Sanctuary at Kiawah has a great collection of local art to view and purchase. I really like the variety of the different pieces that they have available on display. Every time I visit I cannot help myself to walk in and check everything out. This is one of my favorite places to visit in Kiawah.
7. Kiawah Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 574 reviews
A major golf course, beautiful beaches and miles of conservation land make this private island a desirable attraction.
Reviewed By dlifton
Kiawah Island is a special place on earth! Wonderful stretches of uncrowded beach on this private island. Great family vacation spot to rent a home / condo with options of riding on the bike trails, seeing magnificent homes, play tennis, golf, fish / crab and use a gateway to visit historic Charleston.
8. Night Heron Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 115 reviews
This park has an Olympic-sized pool, picnic facilities, and sports fields.
Reviewed By CherylB2842 - Johns Island, United States
The nature center was super with the exception of the snakes????????. I’m terrified. Aside from that the staff is knowledgeable and absolutely lovely. They directed us on a very nice walking path that led to the beach.
9. Kiawah Island Tennis
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35 reviews
Reviewed By MKuenne - Charlotte, United States
I've been playing tennis most of my life and the Roy Barth Tennis Center is one of the best facilities anywhere as it comes to the actual courts and atmosphere. I've visited Kiawah for years, and the center and programs continue to evolve and the classes, staff and courts are all great. The facility is top notch with everything you need without being pretentious, and there is literally something for every skill level. Great place to play tennis!
10. Kiawah Beachwalker Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 250 reviews
Reviewed By 710januaryh
Disclaimer: I've been spoiled by Florida Gulf Coast beaches over the years, so at first I was sad, but not surprised, to discover a lack of soft white sand and crystal clear blue waters. But the beach itself was still very much worth the drive. This is perhaps one of the widest beaches I've seen from shore to water - especially when the tide rolls out. There's so much space that you can sit back from or move away from the crowds and find your own peaceful part of this paradise. And that's the thing, it feels like paradise because the crowds are small. Due mostly because the only way to access this public beach is through the parking lot. There's no parking near a store or a side road and simply walking over - unless you're renting a vacation home or staying in the nearby resort, which I believe has its own access point. You have to pay a modest fee to park in the lot but it's good for the whole day. It's not a small lot but it's not super big either - maybe 70 cars or so can park, give or take. So you can see why the crowds are smaller than most. But don't let that fool you into ease of getting in during peak season — every space was filled by the time I left mid-afternoon. There's also a snack bar, restrooms, changing rooms, outdoor showers - all very convenient. There's even a place to rent chairs and an umbrella for the day on the beach - they set everything up for you. The one thing missing were the shells. I only found the tiniest of sea shells, unfortunately. You can find bigger and better elsewhere but other than that, had a great and much-needed restful day at the beach!
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