Kiawah Island is a small barrier island in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of South Carolina. It’s located about 25 miles south of Charleston and is full of southern charm. Think stately oak trees dripping in Spanish moss, long wooden boardwalks over marshlands and miles of sandy beach. This Kiawah Island travel guide outlines the best things to do, place to stay and restaurants to dine at during a Kiawah Island vacation.

Kiawah Island quick facts

Kiawah Island is part of the Lowcountry, which is a 100-mile stretch of South Carolina coast that consists of salt marshes, wide beaches and coastal inlets. It’s a naturally beautiful destination with miles of powder sand beaches and foliage. The island is primarily a vacation community and boasts over 30 miles of bike trails, 123 acres of parks and five award winning golf courses, which includes the famous Ocean Course by Pete Dye.

Kiawah Island is an ideal vacation for the traveler who appreciates natural elegance and understated luxury. With beaches, world class golf and fine dining a Kiawah Island vacation is perfect for families, couples or girlfriends looking to get away.

Getting there

The best way to reach Kiawah Island is to fly into Charleston International Airport and drive. A rental car is the most convenient way to access Kiawah Island and it’s helpful to have during a Kiawah vacation. If you choose to fly into Charleston and take a ride share to Kiawah, bike rentals while on the island are available and encouraged.

Best time to visit Kiawah Island

The temperature on Kiawah Island typically fluctuates between the high 40s and high 80s. Peak season on the island is late spring through summer. Spring, March to May, is an ideal time to visit Kiawah Island before the southern heat and humidity gets too strong in the summer. The fall is also a great season with fewer crowds and better prices. The weather is more mild which is best for those who aren’t fans of the heat, but it will likely not be warm enough for many outdoor activities.

Main attractions

The main attractions on Kiawah Island are beach, golf, fine dining, biking and shopping at Freshfields Village the unofficial “town center” of Kiawah Island.

What to do on Kiawah Island

Kiawah Island is a nature lovers paradise and many of the best activities are outdoors. Whether you choose to bike, go on a nature walk, shop at boutiques or enjoy the beach, there’s something for everyone.

Explore the island by bike

Kiawah Island is an ideal destination to explore on two wheels. With over 30-miles of both paved paths and boardwalk there are plenty of routes to cruise around the island. Kiawah Island beaches are also popular bike destinations. Much of the island’s sand is hard packed which makes it perfect to ride a bicycle on.

If you travel to the island without your own bikes, you can rent some at SeaCoast Sports and Outfitters. An adult bike rental costs $25 per day. If you prefer to stay on your feet rather than two wheels, Kiawah is a great place to walk and explore the miles of paths, boardwalks and marshlands.

Hit the beach

Kiawah Island is a big beach destination and the island has over 10 miles of coast. There is a gate on Kiawah Island that separates the public part of the island from the private part that belongs to homeowners and guests of Kiawah Island Resort. If you are not a guest, Beachwalker County Park is the only public access beach on the island and it is located on the west end. Lifeguards are on duty here seasonally. Dogs are also allowed on the beach year-round.

Play a round of golf or a game of tennis

Some of America’s best and most well respected golf courses can be found right on Kiawah Island. In fact, the PGA Championship was hosted on the island in 2021. The five golf courses on the island are called The Ocean Course, Osprey Point, Oak Point, Turtle Point and Cougar Point. The Ocean Course, by Pete Dye, is located on the eastern end of the island and is known for having the most seaside holes in the Northern Hemisphere. Golf Digest ranked it the number four best public golf course in the US. If you’re looking to improve your game, the island has many pros available for private, group, family or junior lessons.

The Roy Barth Tennis Center at the Kiawah Island Resort is an award winning facility with 22 courts, including 10 that are Har-Tru clay courts. The center offers both group, private and semi-private lessons.

Get a spa treatment

If you’re looking to relax after a day exploring the island or a round of golf, the best spa on Kiawah Island is Urban Nirvana located in Freshfields Village. Urban Nirvana is a retreat on Kiawah for guests to feel relaxed, renewed and refreshed. The spa offers facials, massages and body wraps. While on the island I enjoyed a massage and it was a very relaxing experience.

Shop at Freshfields Village

Freshfields Village is the unofficial town center of Kiawah Island. It’s a beautifully designed outdoor shopping and dining destination that’s set in a relaxed yet luxe Lowcountry setting. It’s a premier shopping destination with over 30 shops ranging from clothing boutiques, sporting outfitters, and a variety of cafes and restaurants including a wine bar, an upscale French restaurant and a Mexican cantina.

Along with dining and shopping there are plenty of activities within Freshfields Village. Guests can create their own custom candle scent at Palmetto Scent Studio, a custom fragrance bar. Vincent’s Drug Store and Soda Fountain combines a traditional sundries store with an old fashioned soda counter. Try one of their signature ice cream sundaes after a day of shopping.

Aside from the great shopping, Freshfields Village is an outdoor pedestrian village that’s beautiful to explore. The Lowcountry architecture features courtyard patios, colorful buildings and blooming gardens. Freshfields is centered around a large village green that hosts a variety of events throughout the year including a family friendly outdoor concert series. When you’re tired after a day of shopping you can relax on the village green or play a game of corn hole in Freshfields branded boards.

Where to dine on Kiawah Island

Enjoying Lowcountry cuisine is one of the highlights of a Kiawah Island vacation. This style of food features locally sourced ingredients and seafood is very prominent. She crab soup, shrimp and grits, fresh fish and oysters are all staple dishes in Lowcountry dining. Kiawah Island is full of highly regarded restaurants, many of which can be found right in Freshfields Village. There’s something for every taste and dining experience, from casual cafes, to coffee shops to high end French.

Here are some of the best restaurants on Kiawah Island

Breakfast

There are plenty of great breakfast destinations on Kiawah Island. Java Java is the island’s premier coffee shop serving delicious coffee drinks, breakfast sandwiches and pastries. If you’re looking for a brunch spot, Cafe Eugenia is a great option for local, seasonal food that’s prepared daily. Their pimento cheese is delicious!

Lunch

If you’re craving Mexican food, Cantina 76 has the best tacos on the island. Start your meal with one of their signature margaritas and a trio of dips- queso, guacamole, and salsa. The Co-Op is a great lunch option serving grab-and-go sandwiches. The Co-Op is also known for their signature frose, try a flight and taste all of their flavors, which include cucumber watermelon and grapefruit. Or you can bring home a bottle of your favorite.

Dinner

There’s no shortage of great dinner restaurants on Kiawah Island and there’s something for every taste. Forty Eight Wine Bar is a modern take on a traditional wine bar that serves 48 different varieties of wine out of self serve machines. Visitors pre-pay on a card that they’ll use in the various machines which pour 1 oz, 3 oz, or 6 oz tastings. Forty Eight Wine Bar also serves delicious food (they have the best crab cake on the island) and 48 varieties of local and craft beer. The island’s premier dining experience is at Hege’s, a casual French bistro that serves locally sourced food. The cocktails are suburb and their seafood is not-to-be-missed.

Where to stay on Kiawah Island

The best place to stay on Kiawah Island is at Andell Inn. This hotel is located in the middle of Freshfields Village and walking distance to the best dining and shopping, as well as bike rentals. Andell Inn mixes southern hospitality and charm with comfortable modern amenities.

The hotel features a warm and welcoming lobby with a fireplace and a lively bar scene. Right outside is a wraparound porch overlooking a lake and the hotel’s natural setting. The Andell Inn also features a beautiful saltwater pool with ample lounge chairs on the deck and some even in the water!

Andell Inn is an ideal accommodation for all type of travel occasions, from queen guest rooms to two bedroom residences. Many of the rooms offer fully equipped kitchens as well as living room areas. The hotel also serves free breakfasts, which include mimosas! No better way to start your day in Kiawah Island than with a mimosa on Andell Inn’s wraparound porch.

Andell Inn is part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio so guests who are part of that program can gain points on a stay.

I was a guest of Freshfields Village. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the travel destinations that make My Darling Passport possible.