Things to Do in Kiawah Island, South Carolina: A Complete Guide
Beach at Kiawah Island resort, South Carolina
Come explore the best things to do in Kiawah Island, one of the most popular islands around Charleston SC.
In this guide, you’ll find suggestions on everything from the best restaurants in Kiawah Island to shopping destinations and vacation rentals.
As a native of Charleston, I’ve had the opportunity to explore Kiawah Island many times over, and I hope you’ll come to love this luxury island community as much as I do!
This post contains affiliates. If you purchase through one of the links, I will receive a small commission at no charge to you.
Updated 6/2022 | Written 3/2015
How to Get from Charleston to Kiawah Island
Just outside of Charleston, South Carolina, is a long, winding two lane road flanked by centuries-old live oaks.
Head through James Island, Johns Island, and Wadmalaw on Maybank Highway, then turn onto Bohicket Road.
While the drive down State Road S-10-20, also known as Bohicket Road and then Betsy Kerrison Parkway, is destination enough, the golf and resort community at the end of it will make the trip even sweeter.
The road ends in a roundabout.
Take the first road to your right, and you'll go to Seabrook Island.
>> If you’re interested in things to do on Seabrook Island, I’ve got you covered! <<
The second road leads to Freshfields Village, a shopping and dining area that services the area.
We're headed to Kiawah, so we're going to take the last exit off of the roundabout, skirting Freshfields Village, and continuing on Kiawah Island Parkway further into the marsh.
There’s only one road in and out of Kiawah Island, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding your vacation rental or golf lesson.
Where to Stay: Kiawah Island Vacation Rental or Hotel?
When choosing a spot to stay in Kiawah, you'll want to decide if you'd rather have the amenities of a hotel or the comforts of home.
Both have their pros and cons, which you’ll need to weigh carefully.
Kiawah Island Hotel Options
Adirondack chairs at the Sanctuary Hotel at Kiawah Island
If you go the hotel route inside the gates, Kiawah Island has exactly one option: The Sanctuary.
This gorgeous hotel is within the first gate of the resort and has a highly rated spa, two outdoor pools, an indoor pool, a small shopping area, and an onsite restaurant.
I've had the opportunity to stay here twice, and it is super luxurious (but also super expensive, so save this for a treat).
There's one additional option if you expand your hotel search to outside of the gates: Andell Inn.
It's located inside Freshfields Village, and it’s just a short bike ride from the beach.
It has its own amenities, so if you want to play golf or tennis at Kiawah Island, you'll have to book that separately.
Kiawah Island Vacation Rentals
If you go the homestay route, you've got plenty of options: you can rent a villa or apartment through Kiawah Resort, or you can rent from a third party.
Booking.com, Wyndham Vacation Rentals, VRBO, AirBnB, Homeaway, and the local real estate companies all offer rental properties within the resort gates.
We stayed in this Kiawah Island vacation rental home on one of our first visits. It’s near Inlet Cove, just past the first gate. Find a similar one to rent here.
My family has been to Kiawah multiple times, and we've always gone through a third party for our rentals.
When you go this route, make sure to clarify if you'll have access to the neighborhood's pool(s) and amenities.
Some rentals include these perks, plus bike rental vouchers, and/or beach chairs, but it varies by property.
NOTE:
There are actually two gates within the Kiawah Island resort.
The first one is the one that most people go through: you'll only need to go through this gate if you're staying at the Sanctuary hotel.
The second gate marks a more exclusive area of the resort with gigantic celebrity homes.
While you can't drive through either of the gates if you're not staying there, you can freely bicycle anywhere in the resort, no matter where your home away from home is located.
The Best Things to Do in Kiawah Island
If you love golf, tennis, or swimming, you’ll fit right in on your Kiawah Island vacation.
However, if you're completely uncoordinated like me and people tend to laugh and point whenever you do anything more rigorous than walk in a straight line, you're probably thinking, "Why in the world would I vacation here? I'll be that pasty weird person in a line-up of fit, tanned people in plaid and polo shirts."
I'm happy to tell you that there's much more to Kiawah than just golfing and tennis!
There’s something to do for every interest and family, so let’s dive into the best things to do in Kiawah Island.
The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island
Play on a Kiawah Island Golf Course.
Kiawah Island is probably best known for being a golf resort, and it was the location of the 2012 PGA Championship and the 2021 PGA Championship.
It comes as no surprise that there are obviously plenty of golf courses to keep you busy during your stay: the Ocean course, Turtle Point course, Cougar Point course, Osprey Point course, and Oak Point course.
Turtle Point course is the home of the Tommy Cuthbert Golf Learning Center, so you can pick up a few pointers or learn the basics.
Check out the available kids and adults golf clinics that are available during your stay.
Get a game of tennis in.
The resort also a great place to stay if you're into tennis as it offers two different tennis complexes, private coaching, and group lessons.
In fact, it was named the #1 tennis resort in the world by Tennis Resorts Online!
Get the family together to play a casual game at the Roy Barth Tennis Center, located near the Turtle Point golf course off the Kiawah Island Parkway.
The center also offers clinics for tennis lovers ages 7 and up to adult.
PIN ME!
Explore your natural surroundings.
Stop by the Heron Park Wildlife Center where you can get up close and personal with native snake species and learn more about the reptile, birds, mammals, and amphibians that call this area home.
There’s also a Junior Naturalist Program for kids eager to learn on their visit. The program is held regularly throughout the summer and by request in fall and winter.
There’s a surprising amount of wildlife, so have your camera and the ready when you see a gorgeous heron or intimidating gator!
[If you’re looking for an awesome lightweight and easy to use camera, I love my Sony A6000 mirrorless camera. It’s what I take all of my photos on the blog with.]
NOTE: a woman was killed by an alligator a few years back because she decided to get into a pond and pet it. Just stay away from the wildlife!
Take a dip in the pools.
There are multiple pools for the different subsections of the property.
If you’re staying in one of the hotels, you’ll have access to lounge chairs, cocktail services, and complementary towels.
If you’re staying in the vacation rentals, remember to check with the owners on available pool towels, toys, and more.
[Need some lightweight travel towels? We have these quick dry Turkish towels and carry them everywhere!]
In either case, you’ll love the big, clean pools throughout Kiawah Island.
Many offer summer movies under the stars for free, so check with your closest amenities center to see what’s on.
Kids will also love the splash pad at Night Heron Park, which is accessible and free to anyone staying in any part of the resort.
Rent a bike on Kiawah Island.
My parents on an extended family bike ride
Some of my favorite times on Kiawah have been meandering on the bike paths, gawking at the houses that cost more than I'll make in my life combined.
Explore the more than 30 miles of bike paths, all of which are wide and paved.
As I mentioned, many of the vacation rentals include a few bikes in their fee, but you can also rent bikes through the resort.
Kiawah Island resort offers 2 places to get bikes: one is at the Sanctuary Hotel and the other is at the West Beach Pool Shop.
Options include regular bikes, adult trikes, kids tow a longs, and bike baskets. It’s cheaper to rent for multiple days, and there’s free delivery to your rental if you’d like the bikes for 2 or more days.
Go shopping at Freshfields Kiawah.
Located at the roundabout between Kiawah Island and Seabrook Island, this adorable outdoor shopping center has something for everyone.
I love Indigo Books, the island’s independent bookstore.
For Southern clothes and accessories, try Spartina 449, Beaufort Bonnet Company, Vineyard Vines or Southern Tide.
Islands Mercantile in the middle of Freshfields Village has flip flops, hats, shirts, shorts, magnets, and more.
There are also several national brands like Lilly Pulitzer, Las Olas, and Lululemon.
There are also several places within the resort that sell Kiawah Island Resort-branded shirts, polos, tees, and hats.
Check the Sanctuary, the golf clubhouses, and the nature center, and the small convenience stores around the resort.
Relax on the beach.
And if all of that still seems like too much, the resort offers up 10 miles of beach on which to relax and read.
Daytrippers to Kiawah Island should head to Beachwalker Park, which is part of the Charleston County Parks System.
Here, you’ll find showers, bathrooms, umbrella and chair rentals, and a snack cart.
The entrance is just before the first Kiawah Island resort gate, so you don’t need to be staying at the resort to visit.
If you’re staying inside of Kiawah Island resort, you’ll find beach access paths throughout the property.
Your rental home instructions should point you to the closest one, but you can always ask at the gate booths or any store.
Best Restaurants in Kiawah Island
Within the gates of Kiawah Island resort, you've got many, many options on where to dine.
Grab a chilly treat at Beaches and Cream ice cream shop in the Sanctuary.
Then, build your own pizza at The Town Center Market.
If you want something a bit fancier, try the upscale seafood restaurant, The Atlantic Room at the Ocean Course Clubhouse.
Just outside the Kiawah Island resort gates at Freshfields Village, you've got even more options.
There’s a cute sandwich shop at the Station Deli, which is modeled to look like an old fashioned gas station. There are freshly made paninis and wraps each day at lunch, and they’re super yummy.
Stop by the local coffee shop, Java Java, which is on the main square in Freshfields Village on Kiawah Island.
King Street Grille is a local chain with delicious comfort foods. I can’t get enough of their build-your-own-salads and the cajun chicken pasta!
For authentic Mexican food, head to Cantina 76. Bring me all of the nachos.
If you want something quick, grab fried chicken, green beans, mac and cheese and more at the hot lunch counter at the Harris Teeter.
There's even a Starbucks inside the Harris Teeter if you can't find what you need at the local coffee place.
What to Know about Kiawah Island
Marsh landscape in Kiawah Island
Freshfields Village has the only grocery store on Kiawah Island and lots of shopping if you want to find a souvenir.
If you're renting a house, and you've forgotten a gallon of milk or some bread, don't go to the convenience stores within the resort.
You will pay (no joke) at least twice what the price is at the Harris Teeter grocery store in Freshfields Village, so drive the extra five minutes outside of the resort for your sundries.
Kiawah Island and Seabrook Island are both fairly remote. The closest big box store is back in James Island, which is a 30 minute drive (or more with traffic).
If you're just visiting Kiawah for the day, you can rent bikes in Freshfields Village and tour the resort on your own. It doesn't matter if you're staying at the resort--if you're on a bike, you can skip stopping at both gates!
There's a county-run beach just outside the first gate. If you want to see the unspoiled beaches of Kiawah without renting a house or staying at the Sanctuary, this is a great way to spend the day.
If you're looking for more awesome family vacation spots along the Southern Atlantic coast, check out the best East Coast Islands for families!
Which of these things to do in Kiawah Island would be your favorite?
