Outside Charleston: Be Active and Relax in Kiawah Island

Note: The island is gated and you must have a guest pass to be permitted access, i.e. be staying on the island, have a golf tee time or a restaurant reservation, etc.

Golf:

Five Championship Golf Courses, including the famed Ocean Course, home of the 2021 PGA Championship and the 1991 Ryder Cup Matches. Kiawah also boasts a golf learning center with clinics and private instruction for all ages.

Tennis and Pickleball:

One of the top tennis resorts in the world with 19 clay tennis courts, 6 pickleball courts, and two hard courts convertible between tennis and pickleball. The center also includes a pro shop, a practice alley with a ball machine, as well as clinics and private instruction for everyone from tots to seniors.

Beach and pools:

Even on the most crowded holidays, Kiawah’s private beaches are not as crowded as others. The Sanctuary Hotel's pools and beach chairs are for hotel guests only. The resort has two pool complexes for resort guests in their villa and home rentals and offers beach chair and umbrella rentals.

Bike Riding:

On Kiawah, most people bike to their destinations during the day. For example, bike riding to the pool and beach if your stay isn’t oceanfront or to lunch on the island is the norm. Visitors can bring their bikes or rent them through the resort or Seacoast Outfitters. SeaCoast Outfitters also has kids' trailers and tow trailers for rent. Biking is hands down the best way to explore Kiawah, see wildlife, and enjoy scenic marsh views. There are two overlook towers on the resort map that make for fun destinations.

Dolphin watching:

Dolphin watching can be done via kayak or boat excursions through the resort. You are most likely to see dolphins during low-tide. In lieu of being on the water, you can alternatively walk to the western end of the island and see dolphins from Captain Sam’s Spit.

Note: It is important to always stay back 45 feet from dolphins and 100 feet from flocks of shorebirds to provide the space they need.

Spa:

The spa at The Sanctuary is rated 5 stars by Forbes and offers twelve treatment rooms with an array of services. Spa reservations are mainly for hotel guests. If you are staying at a resort villa or home, you may make reservations three days in advance Monday-Thursday depending on availability. My experience has been that last-minute reservations, especially the week of, are extremely difficult to obtain.

Fishing:

Creek, Inshore, and Near-Coastal and Reef Fishing charters can be booked through the resort or Bohicket Marina.

Nature Exploration:

Visit the Nature Center at Night Heron Park to get up-close and personal with many varieties of Kiawah wildlife. Alternately, while biking, go bird watching, be on the lookout for bobcat and deer, or spot an alligator in a pond (but be sure to keep back about 60 feet or view from an enclosed overlook or bridge).

Camp Kiawah at Night Heron Park:

For children 3-15 years old, each day's themed camp is filled with games, crafts, and snacks designed to make sure their day is as fun as yours. Camp days/activities are seasonal.

Shopping:

Freshfields Village - Everything from a grocery store to a drugstore, to men's and women’s clothing as well as jewelry, beach needs, and home decor; Franchise stores as well as boutiques.

Shops in the Sanctuary Hotel-The best collection of shops I have found at any resort, including an art gallery.

Day trips

A day trip into downtown Charleston - especially on a rainy day for:

• Walking or Carriage Tours

• Visiting the International African American Museum

• Having tea at Hotel Bennett

• Shopping on King Street

• Walking the Battery and Waterfront Park

• Visiting the SC Aquarium

• Touring a historic home

• Resting at a rooftop bar like Vendue

• Enjoying a delicious meal at Slightly North of Broad (S.N.O.B) or many other restaurants

• Exploring the H.L. Hunley

• Exploring the USS Yorktown

On Island:

Jasmine’s Porch

Great brunch buffet as well as á la carte lunch and dinner.

The Ocean Room

A Premier Steakhouse.

The Ryder Cup Bar

Perfect lunch or dinner pub fare with amazing ocean and end-of-island views and a great place to watch golfers come in off the 18th hole of the Ocean Course as well as watch the sunset.

The Nest

Casual fair for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The Players Pub

A classic American pub.

Freshfields Village:

The Station Deli

Casual fare for breakfast and lunch.

La Tela Pizzeria

Best pizza around, as well as wonderful salads and pasta dishes.

Forty-Eight Wine Bar & Kitchen

Fun wine stations where you can try 1, 3, or 6 oz pours of wines.

Hege’s

Upscale French bistro serving dinner.

Cafe Eugenia

Fresh, local fare for a casual breakfast or lunch.

The Co-Op

Sandwiches and frozé.