Visiting Kiawah Island – What to Know
Need to know some basic facts about Kiawah? The following information should be able to help you to get a general sense of what to expect in terms of travel resources, weather and activities.
Access to Kiawah
Kiawah Island is a gated private community with access limited to property owners and guests of the resort or rental agencies. Public access to the beach is available at Beachwalker County Park, located on the west end of the island.
The Peak Season on the Island
June, July and August are the height of the tourist season, with July being the busiest month and the Fourth of July bringing the largest crowds. Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends are also popular in the area and the rest of the year offers wonderful times to explore the island, stroll the beaches, enjoy biking the 30 miles of paved trails trails, and celebrate the holidays. Special events highlight every season.
Where to Stay on Kiawah Island
Accommodations are numerous and vary from modest to luxurious. There are quite a few rental management companies and property owners who rent villas, cottages and homes on a weekly or nightly basis. You can also rent directly through the resort. For a lavish stay we recommend you take a look into the private homes or the ocean front hotel on the island, The Sanctuary. Visitors staying during the peak summer months will want to plan their stay well in advance though last minute accommodations are always worth an inquiry. Check out the accommodations tab at the top of the page for more information.
Dining and Local Food
Restaurants range from casual and quick to world-class experiences. You will find a few convenience stores located throughout the island and a grocery store located in Freshfields Village. During the summer months there is a stand with local produce, food trucks and artisan crafts located off of Betsy Kerrison Parkway near the traffic circle and a weekly Farmer’s Market held at Freshfields Village.
The Beach and Activities
Kiawah Island boasts an award-winning, pristine 10 mile beach for your enjoyment. Strolling down the sun-filled beach and bike riding on the hard-packed sand are popular activity among many visitors. Other activities on Kiawah’s beach include surfing, kayaking, shelling, fishing, and plenty of wildlife viewing. If you’re lucky, you will catch a glimpse of dolphins playing in the gently surf. From mid-May until early August, Loggerhead turtles lay their eggs in the soft sand of the dunes.
Biking on Kiawah
Are you catching a trend? Bicycling is a great way to see more of the island that cannot be seen by car! There are over 30 miles of paved biking paths on the island and in 2010 the path from Kiawah Island to Freshfields Village opened. Either bring your bikes from home if you’re traveling by vehicle or rent them while you’re here. Most of the rental agencies in the area will deliver them directly to your accommodation on the island with no additional fee.
Kiawah’s Golf Courses
Experience what many consider to be the finest collection of golf courses in the world. The 4 world-class courses on Kiawah that are open to the public include Cougar Point, Turtle Point, Osprey Point, and the Ocean Course. Oak Point is also open to the public and is located right off island in Kiawah Island River Estates. Each course has it’s own unique features and all of them are beautiful to admire. Pricing varies depending on the time of year and the golf course that you play. More information about the courses, tee times and the golfing programs will be added soon.
Tennis on Island
Kiawah was rated America’s #1 Tennis Resort by Tennis Magazine. There are two racquet clubs on the island under direction of former touring pro Roy Barth. One is located in East Beach and the other in West Beach. More information about the courts, scheduling times, and the tennis programs will be added soon.
With so much to offer, a visit to Kiawah Island is yours to enjoy whenever you come and whatever you do. We hope to welcome you soon and please let us know if you have any questions!