Canopies of towering palms, locks of Spanish moss hanging from branches, thick palmetto brush blanketing the ground, sawgrass in shades of gold and green cutting through the marsh, you have entered the other worldly landscape of South Carolina's low country. The sight itself is reason alone to travel to South Carolina's coastline. The transgression of the sea over centuries of tides, storms, and erosion, paints a boundless horizon of jungle-like swamps, sawgrass laden marsh, and untamed ocean shore.
As you fall in love with its landscape, you will also discover many other reasons to love Kiawah - award winning golf courses, beach, spa, kayaking, boating, fishing, dining, kid's camps, and more. So park your car, hop on your bike, and get ready to explore this low country paradise designed to give every member of your family a choose your own adventure experience.
Kiawah is a mostly private, beautiful barrier island along the South Carolina shore, about 25 miles south of Charleston. It is often included on lists of the world’s most beautiful beaches. With 10 miles of pristine beaches, Kiawah is the perfect retreat to clear your itinerary and spend the day at the beach exploring, splashing, reading or simply relaxing. My favorite way to wake up every morning is a sunrise walk along the shore. The countless marine treasures that await discovery and the lapping of the waves against the sun speckled shore is a way to ease into the day, clear minded and awe struck.
Another wonderful advantage to Kiawah's beaches, at low tide you can bike from end-to-end because the sand is so hard and packed. One of the many unique adventures to be had on these Atlantic shores.
Golf is perhaps the biggest reason to visit Kiawah with the biggest names in the sport making their mark on its championship courses. Kiawah has hosted the Ryder Cup, PGA Championship and other top-level tournaments. Year-after-year, the most respected experts place Kiawah courses at the top of every list.
The most famous of these courses, is the The Ocean Course. Located on the eastern-most end of the island, The Ocean Course boasts the most seaside holes in the Northern Hemisphere with ten hugging the Atlantic and the other eight running parallel to those. Although it was originally planned to sit behind the dunes, designer Pete Dye’s wife, Alice, suggested raising the entire course to give players unobstructed views of Kiawah’s stunning coastline from every hole. One catch? This improved view made the course substantially more demanding as it also exposed play to the Atlantic’s brisk and unpredictable breezes. Interesting fact: Because there are no prevailing winds on The Ocean Course, Dye designed two courses in one—one for an easterly and the other for a westerly wind.
Other courses include: Gary Player's Cougar Point with its short and long par-4s, great risk/reward 5s and extremely scenic and challenging par-3s; Tom Fazio's Osprey Point still delivers on its playability and natural beauty and gets rave reviews for its pristine conditions and elegant clubhouse; Jack NIcklaus' Turtle Point traverses a diverse landscape with holes dictating alternating setups from left-to-right and vice-versa; and Clyde Johnston's Oak Point, the proud recipient of the 2019 Charleston Golf Course Owners Association Course of the Year.
Any outdoor enthusiast who visits Kiawah will find a new adventure every day. From kayaking to paddle boarding to boating to fishing to cycling to natural walks, there is no shortage of activities to satisfy your inner explorer. The first thing our family did was park the car for the week and hop on our bikes. It is the best way to get around the island with trails connecting every nook and crevasse. It is convenient and who doesn't want to feel the breeze in your hair and the childlike freedom being on 2 wheels brings.
Explore the salt marsh by kayak or boat and enjoy a visit from the friendly dolphin family that resides in the waters. Many people make their way to the point of the island to see the dolphins where they are known to gather every afternoon as the sun begins its descent to the horizon. A day on the water fishing is an option as well.
One of the most alluring things about Kiawah, the long list of activities for children. From the Night Heron Pool and Park where families can spend the whole day to kid's camp activities like tie-dye shirt making, stained glass art, painting, and so many more classes and crafts to sign up for that the kids will love. There are also nature shows with raptors and reptiles. Those little minds have plenty of fun and adventure to choose from.
WHERE TO STAY
There is no shortage of accommodations as well. Leading the lodging list is The Sanctuary, named by Conde Nast Traveler as the #1 Resort in the South in 2024. The Sanctuary is beautifully designed and decorated combining traditional luxury with relaxing home-like atmosphere. Here you will also find The Spa at The Sanctuary, a haven of relaxation and wellness.
With 255 guest rooms, The Sanctuary sits perched on the ocean like a beacon of opulence and respite by the sea. The Sanctuary pool serves food and drinks and insie you will find an ice cream shop, Beaches and Cream, as well as the award winning Jasmine Porch restaurant.
If you would rather have your own place, Kiawah offers condos by the sea, villas, and homes many of which are pet friendly. Full of all the amenities of home, this is great way to spend time with extended family or friends.
WHERE TO DINE
The Ocean Room
As the premier steakhouse on Kiawah Island, The Ocean Room serves masterful dishes crafted from locally sourced beef, poultry and produce in a seasonally changing menu. This elegant restaurant overlooking the Atlantic Ocean is Forbes Five-Star rated, so you’re ensured an unparalleled dining experience.
The Atlantic Room
Kiawah Island Golf Resort’s signature seafood restaurant, The Atlantic Room at The Ocean Course, serves modern American cuisine with an emphasis on fresh regional catches procured through partnerships with local fishermen.
Jasmine Porch
Your home for genuine Lowcountry cuisine at breakfast, lunch, brunch or dinner, Jasmine Porch has been named “Best Downhome Cookery” by the prestigious Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report. Seasonal menus are inspired by the seafood pulled directly from the local waters and certified organic produce from around the region.
The Ryder Cup Bar
Whether you’re gathering your foursome for a post-round drink, grabbing a casual lunch with family on the veranda, or toasting the sunset over the ocean, the Ryder Cup Bar is your perfect gathering place.
Tomasso at Turtle Point
Tomasso at Turtle Point is Kiawah’s Italian Gathering Place showcasing old-world cuisine elevated with a contemporary influence of the Lowcountry’s fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Choose from Chef’s hand-made pastas, sauces, and breads—all prepared daily—and complemented by an inspired wine list featuring everything from crisp Pinot Grigios to full-bodied Barolos. Then finish off your meal with a decadent dessert and a glass of house-made Limoncello.
Cherrywood BBQ & Ale House
Proud to be a stop on the South Carolina BBQ Trail in the state that invented the slow-and-low cooking method, Cherrywood BBQ & Ale House serves up top-quality meats smoked over local hardwoods, rubbed with signature seasonings and dripping with tangy, house-made sauces.
The Nest Market | Café
Located in the heart of Night Heron Park, The Nest Market | Café offers fresh-baked goods prepared on site, specialty coffees, gourmet made-to-order sandwiches, a selection of groceries, including beer and wine, and a wide selection of retail items. On-site dining is also available indoors or on the sprawling, oak-shaded porch. Enjoy comfort foods in a casual atmosphere.
Mingo Point Oyster Roast and BBQ
For a truly unique experience, Mingo Point Oyster Roast and BBQ is Kiawah Island Golf Resort’s longest-running event, a treasured family favorite and a genuine Lowcountry tradition offered over most major holidays and every Monday evening all summer long. Guests of all ages enjoy feasting on fresh oysters roasted over an open fire, along with other BBQ specialties such as ribs, pulled pork, smoked chicken, Lowcountry Boil and more. Plus family fun, live music and more activities. Best of all is Mingo Point’s natural setting—right on the banks of the Kiawah River.
Kiawah is calling, with all picturesque landscape, its award winning golf courses, its delicious local fare, its comfortable accommodations, and its endless adventure.