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How To Spot Loggerhead Sea Turtles on Kiawah Island

Kiawah Island is known as a top destination for luxury living in harmony with nature. Our beautiful barrier island encompasses 10,000 acres of lush Lowcountry landscapes and over ten miles of pristine Atlantic coastline. This region boasts a lush diversity of well preserved habitats and intricate ecosystems, perfect for wildlife to flourish and thrive.

Kiawah Island happens to be one of America’s most vital nesting grounds for the endangered Loggerhead Sea Turtle. These adorable creatures return to these warm Atlantic waters each year to continue the cycle of nesting and hatching on Kiawah Island. Loggerhead Sea Turtles travel and migrate thousands of miles between their current feeding grounds and original nesting areas.

When making their way from the nest to the ocean, sea turtle hatchlings go through a natural process called imprinting, where they form a magnetic mind map that enables them to navigate their way back to the same geomagnetic location as mature adults to return home and nest. 

Sea Turtle Season on Kiawah Island


Kiawah Island’s sea turtle season begins in mid-May and continues through October.

The male turtles rarely leave the ocean while the female, guided by the moonlight, swims to shore to dig her nests. The nesting process is exhausting, stressful, and time consuming. This process should be respected, and should never be disturbed!

In the light of the moon, the female drags herself up the beach, uses her hind flippers to dig a hole about 2-3 feet deep, lays around 130 eggs, covers the nest for incubation, and tracks her way back to the ocean. Each female lays an average of 4 to 5 nests each season.

The sea turtle hatching season begins around mid-July.

Interestingly, the temperature of the sand affects the gender of the hatchling – cooler nest temperatures produce males, and warmer temps produce female hatchlings. After an incubation period of approximately 2 months, the baby loggerheads team up to dig their way up through the sand to begin their first journey into the ocean. They will remain in the ocean, traveling around, until they return home again to repeat the nesting cycle on Kiawah Island.

How to Spot a Loggerhead Turtle


Loggerheads are the most common of the four turtle species found in South Carolina. Their distinctive features are easy to spot, making any novice wildlife viewer an expert in identifying them.

The name “Loggerhead” comes from the sea turtle’s wide block shaped head and powerful jaws that can crush a crab in one bite! They are the largest of the hard-shell turtles, reaching an average of 3-4 feet in length and a massive 300 pounds in weight. They have a reddish-brown hard shell that slightly resembles the shape of a heart, a pale yellow bottom shell, four flippers, and large spots covering their head and flippers. 

Where to Spot Loggerhead Turtles on Kiawah Island


The nesting habits of Loggerhead sea turtles align with their strong survival instincts. Most of their time is spent in the coastal waters around Kiawah Island. The males remain in the ocean and the females rarely come to shore except to lay their eggs in the early morning before sunrise or by the light of the moon. 


During nesting and hatching season, it’s easy to spot the distinct markings and tracks in the sand and well-marked nest sites in the dune line along Kiawah Island’s 10-mile stretch of beach. For the ultimate sea turtle experience, tag along with the team of volunteers at the Kiawah Island Turtle Patrol.

Kiawah Island Turtle Patrol


The Loggerhead sea turtle is one of seven species of marine turtles still in existence today and remains in constant danger of extinction. In 1978, the loggerhead sea turtle was listed as a threatened species under the US Federal Endangered Species Act and the State Nongame Act. 


Established in 1973, Kiawah Island Turtle Patrol is one of the largest turtle patrol volunteer programs in the United States with a goal to protect and preserve the loggerheads that return to Kiawah Island year after year.

Sea turtles and their hatchlings have many natural threats, including the local wildlife on Kiawah Island. It’s a labor of love for the trained volunteers at Turtle Patrol, local Kiawah residents, and many of our guests who return each year to volunteer!

The Turtle Truck patrols the beaches each morning during nesting season to monitor and protect the nests, and hatchling patrols begin in July to watch for activity and protect the emerging hatchlings as they make their way to the ocean. The Kiawah Island Turtle Patrol always welcome volunteers to join their patrols. Don’t be afraid to reach out to see how to you can help, they’re always looking for enthusiastic volunteers.

Sea Turtle Care Center


If you’re eager to gain a deeper understanding of the sea turtles of South Carolina, a visit to the Sea Turtle Care Center at the South Carolina Aquarium in historic Charleston is a must-do!

The Sea Turtle Care Center’s mission is to educate and inspire the conservation of sea turtles and aid in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of these magnificent creatures back into our ocean waters.

Help Keep Our Kiawah Island Turtles Safe


During your stay on Kiawah Island, please help us keep our Kiawah Island sea turtles safe and protected. If you’re lucky enough to encounter a sea turtle, simply stay away, observe from a distance, and report any unmarked nests, emerging hatchlings, or injured sea turtles to the Kiawah Island Turtle Patrol at (843) 768-9166.

Stay Off the Dunes: It is against the law to walk or bike on the sand dunes, remove any vegetation, and touch or disturb sea turtles, their nests, or baby hatchlings. The result is a hefty fine! 

Do Not Dig: Avoid digging holes or building sandcastles on the beach as you may uncover a nesting site or trap hatchlings on their way to the ocean. 

Switch Off Lights: Sea turtles are guided by the moonlight and artificial lighting can disturb and disorientate the nesting turtles and their hatchlings. Do not use flashlights, lanterns, or flash photography on the beaches, and during sea turtle season all lights visible from the beach must be turned off between 9 PM and dawn.

Keep Pets Leashed: Kiawah Island’s beaches are pet-friendly, but your beloved pets are also predators of our local wildlife. Please keep your pets leashed if you encounter sea turtles or any wildlife during your adventures on the island. 

Leave Only Footprints: The beaches on Kiawah Island are a protected habitat for an abundance of birdlife, wildlife, and marine life. PLEASE leave only footprints behind! 

Stay With Kiawah Exclusives


The best place for watching sea turtles and hatchlings on Kiawah Island is only a click away with Kiawah Exclusives. We represent an exclusive collection of the finest oceanfront rentals on Kiawah Island with luxury amenities, sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean, boardwalks to the beach, and only steps to the ultimate dolphin watching and Loggerhead sea turtle experiences on Kiawah Island. 

From oceanfront villas for two to luxurious Lowcountry plantation homes equipped for large groups, you’ll find a place to stay along with exceptional guest services and warm southern hospitality with Kiawah Exclusives. Book direct online or give our team a call at (843) 768-0273 today!


A Guide to The Neighborhoods on Kiawah Island

Escape to the sandy shores and stunning natural beauty of Kiawah Island, a private barrier island located just southwest of Charleston, South Carolina. Whether you’re a golf enthusiast looking to hit one of the island’s many championship courses, an adventurer seeking to explore the great outdoors, or a lover of quiet natural beaches, there’s something for everyone here on Kiawah Island. 

Kiawah Island is the perfect place to relax and unwind, but with so many options for where to stay on this tropical paradise, it can be tough to decide. That’s where our team at Kiawah Exclusives comes in! Our guide to the neighborhoods on Kiawah Island has all the information and insider tips you need to help you find the perfect place to call home during your vacation. 

Kiawah Island encompasses 10,000 acres divided into private club communities and three main neighborhoods: West Beach Village, East Beach Village, and the exclusive gated community of Vanderhorst Plantation. Wherever you choose to stay on Kiawah Island, each neighborhood offers miles of scenic, connected biking trails to get around the island and numerous boardwalks to 10 miles of sandy shoreline at Beachwalker Park!

WEST BEACH VILLAGE

Beach Boardwalk 1 – 15


West Beach Village is Kiawah Island’s oldest and original community and the closest neighborhood to the Main Gate entrance to Kiawah Island and the amenities at Beachwalker Park. West Beach runs from the west end of the island along the iconic moss-draped Eugenia Avenue to East Beach Village with options for beachfront rentals or quiet villa communities lining the fairways of the Cougar Point Golf Course. 

Developed in the 1970s, West Beach Village has retained its old-world charm and is more laid-back than neighboring East Beach Village. Aside from convenient access to Freshfields Village and Kiawah Island’s award-winning Beachwalker Park, the Gary Player designed Cougar Point Golf Course and newly designed clubhouse is the standout attraction in the West Beach neighborhood. 

If you want to have some peace and quiet while still being close to the action, West Beach Village is the perfect balance of peace and convenience and is the perfect spot on Kiawah Island for you!

Villas & Cottages in West Beach Village

Duneside Villas

Oceanfront Kiawah Island Villas – Beach access at Boardwalk #1-2Pool access at Duneside Community Pool 

Inlet Cove Cottages

Kiawah Island Golf Cottages – Beach access at Boardwalk #1Pool access at Inlet Cove Community Pool 

Seascape Villas

Kiawah Island Oceanside & Oceanfront Villas Beach access at Boardwalk #7No community pool access 

Shipwatch Villas

Oceanfront Kiawah Island Villas – Beach access at Boardwalk #5-6No community pool access 

Sparrow Pond Cottages

Kiawah Island Lagoon View Villas – Beach access at Boardwalk #1-2Pool access at Duneside & Sparrow Pond Community Pool

EAST BEACH VILLAGE

Beach Boardwalk 16 – 30


Anchored by the Forbes 5-star Sanctuary Hotel and Night Heron Park, East Beach Village lies in the heart of Kiawah Island between West Beach Village and Vanderhorst Plantation. If you’re planning an action-packed vacation to Kiawah Island, staying in East Beach puts you in the center of the island’s best nature activities, on-island shops and restaurants, and steps to the beautiful beaches on Kiawah Island.    

East Beach Village is home to the Turtle Point Golf Course by Jack Nicklaus, the award-winning Roy Barth Tennis Center, and Night Heron Park, a tranquil 21-acre maritime park with pools, bike paths and nature trails, eco-tours and activities, summer kids camps, and endless family fun

Between Night Heron Park and the legendary Sanctuary Hotel, you’ll find a variety of shops, laid-back and upscale restaurants, a world-class spa, and a wide selection of villas, coastal cottages, and private homes to stay in the heart of the action on Kiawah Island.

Villas, Cottages & Beach Homes in East Beach Village

Atlantic Beach Homes

Private Beach Homes – Beach access at Boardwalk #28 and 29 – Community pool access 

Mariners Watch Villas

Oceanfront Villas near Night Heron ParkBeach access at Boardwalk #17-18No community pool access 

Night Heron Cottages

3 Bedroom Night Heron CottagesBeach access at Boardwalks #17-18No community pool access 

Parkside Villas

Lakeside Villas in Night Heron ParkBeach access at Boardwalk #22No community pool access 

Tennis Club Villas

Kiawah Island Tennis VillaBeach access at Boardwalk #27No community pool access 

Turtle Cove Villas

Kiawah Island Lagoon Villas – Beach access at Boardwalk #27No community pool access 

Turtle Point Villas

2 & 3 Bedroom Kiawah Island Golf Course VillasBeach access at Boardwalk #28-29No community pool access 

Windswept Oceanfront Villas & Windswept Lakeside Villas

Oceanfront & Oceanside Villas near The SanctuaryBeach access at Boardwalk #18-22No community pool access

VANDERHORST PLANTATION

Beach Boardwalk 30 – 42


Vanderhorst is an exclusive gated community beyond Kiawah Island’s second set of gates on the island’s east end. Vanderhorst Plantation is known for its secluded natural setting, pristine beaches, abundance of wildlife, and the Tom Fazio Osprey Point Golf Course and world-famous PGA Ocean Course, boasting the most seaside holes in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Situated only a short bike ride from the bustle of East Beach Village, Vanderhorst Plantation is the ultimate destination for a classic Lowcountry island escape. This exclusive neighborhood boasts marshlands, maritime forests, and nature preserves teeming with birdlife and wildlife, fishing ponds and lagoons, beautiful stretches of remote Atlantic Coast shoreline, and elegant private plantation-style homes that set the tone for luxurious Lowcountry living.  

Our selection of private Vanderhorst Plantation vacation homes come loaded with sought-after amenities like designer interiors, gourmet kitchens, swimming pools, private docks, and elevators – topped off with breathtaking views of the ocean, marsh, golf course, lagoon, or lush maritime forests to enjoy. It doesn’t get much better than the Lowcountry lifestyle in Vanderhorst Plantation!

Ready to plan your dream vacation to Kiawah Island? Start by browsing our luxury rental properties online or, if you’re still undecided on where to stay on Kiawah Island, give our local on-island team a call at (843) 768-0273

For an extended stay, check out our selection of monthly Kiawah Island rentals, or if you’ve been dreaming of owning your own Lowcountry retreat on Kiawah Island, our real estate partner Pam Harrington Exclusives can make that dream come true! Just reach out to our team and let us know how we can help plan your experience on Kiawah Island, SC.


A Guide to Dolphin Watching on Kiawah Island

Kiawah Island is a natural haven for majestic Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins. Our warm South Carolina coastal waters boast a thriving and diverse ecosystem of wildlife-rich wetlands, waterways, and creeks teeming with beautiful birdlife, wildlife along the banks, and pods of playful, intelligent, and highly sociable Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins. Interacting with these magnificent mammals in their natural habitat is the best thing to do on Kiawah Island – and it’s a year-round treat! 

Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins are a familiar site on Kiawah Island year-round. The South Carolina coastline is home to a population of several hundred dolphins with a pod of around 25 dolphins playing in the ocean and waterways of Kiawah Island all year long. The dolphin population on Kiawah Island swells seasonally as migrating bottlenose dolphins seek warmer waters to hunt for food.

TOP SPOTS TO DOLPHIN WATCH ON KIAWAH ISLAND


Dolphin sightings are easy on Kiawah Island. Our resident dolphins can be spotted right from the beach swimming in the warm Atlantic waters, gracefully meandering the rivers and creeks, or strand-feeding along the muddy banks at Captain Sam’s Inlet on the Kiawah River. Rent a beach cruiser or take an early morning sunrise stroll along the shoreline for the most fascinating dolphin-watching experience in the Lowcountry – strand feeding at Captain Sam’s Inlet. 

Kiawah Island is one of only a few destinations in the world you can experience the rare phenomenon of dolphins strand feeding. Strand feeding is a unique feeding behavior where dolphins collectively force fish to the shoreline and launch their bodies out of the water to gather their prey. Many of our guests have even had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of experiencing a mother teaching her baby to strand feed. 

The best time to witness strand feeding on Kiawah Island is early in the morning at low tide. Please note that it is illegal to touch dolphins, you are required to keep a distance of at least 500 yards by boat or 15 yards from the beach, and please keep your pets leashed.

DOLPHIN WATCH FROM HOME


You’ll find the perfect perch to dolphin watch from home with Kiawah Exclusives! Whether you’re lured by the sound of the ocean waves, the quiet of nature in the wetlands, or your own private dock on the Kiawah River, our exclusive collection of Kiawah Island vacation rentals includes a dream home for every dolphin lover. Browse and book online, or give our team a call so we can match you with the perfect home-away-from-home on Kiawah Island.

DOLPHIN WATCHING TOURS ON KIAWAH ISLAND


The best way to encounter Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins in their natural habitat is with a naturalist guide. Our local Kiawah Island guides have an intimate knowledge of the diverse habitats and behaviors of wild Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins – and know the best secret spots on Kiawah Island for dolphin viewing! However your choose to adventure, you’ll find a dolphin-watching tour on Kiawah Island to suit your style.

Night Heron Park

Kiawah Island

The Night Heron Park Nature Center is the Kiawah Island basecamp for guided eco-tours and a variety of boat charters and rentals. Cruise the rivers and creeks with a naturalist guide or pick up a rental for a self-guided tour from Mingo Point on the Kiawah River. Guided dolphin encounters are offered year-round.

Tidal Trails

Kiawah Island

Tidal Trails specialize in custom adventures to encounter the majestic natural inhabitants of Kiawah Island up close and personal. Experiences range from tranquil paddle adventures and cruises to powerboat rentals, wakeboarding, and water skiing instruction. Tidal Trails have on-island locations at Eagle Point, Rhett’s Bluff, Cinder Creek Boathouse, and Sandcastle Beach with daily or weekly rentals available.

Charleston Paddle Company

Kiawah River Bridge

The Charleston Paddle Company launch their signature Kiawah Island paddle board & kayak tours from the Kiawah River Bridge. Choose from nature-guided wildlife, full moon, and sunset tours through the Lowcountry marshlands, SUP Yoga, or learn-to-surf lessons for all ages. If you need a kayak, SUP, or surfboard rental, they’ll deliver to your rental, and pick up for free.

Water Dog Paddle Co.

Bohicket Marina

The Water Dog Paddle Co. at Bohicket Marina offers interactive eco-adventure kayak and SUP tours on the saltwater marshes of Kiawah and Seabrook Island, rentals to explore at your own pace, and on-water yoga on Trophy Lake on Johns Island. Paddle tours launch from the Kiawah Island Bridge, a half-mile before the entrance to the island.

Sonny Boy Charters

Bohicket Marina

Captain Brad of Sonny Boy Charters is a certified United States Coastguard Captain and Realtor who has been sailing the coastal waters of South Carolina since a young boy. With 30+ years of experience on our local waters, Sonny Boy Charters are top-rated for Kiawah Island nearshore and inshore fishing charters, scenic sunset tours, and guided dolphin eco-tours from Bohicket Marina.

Captain Jack’s Sailing & Dolphin Watching

Bohicket Marina

Climb aboard Palmetto Tide for sailing adventures with Captain Jack. Locally owned and operated since 1991, Captain Jack’s Sailing offer half-day and full-day eco-tours from Bohicket Marina, customized your way! Sail the pristine Edisto River or the Atlantic Ocean, ride a rubber dingy to picnic and beachcomb on Shell Island, fish with the family, or set sail into the sunset. However you choose to experience Palmetto Tide, dolphin encounters are almost guaranteed along the way.

Lil Darlin’ Charters

St. Johns Marina

Captain Lindsay of Lil Darlin’ Charters is a lifelong resident of Charleston with an in-depth knowledge of the Lowcountry waterways and a passion for fishing! Head out from St. Johns Marina on the Stono River for an inshore fishing charter or shark fishing trip, or cruise the creeks or harbor searching for Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins. Family memories you’ll never forget!  

Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network

There are many ways to support the protection of Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins along the South Carolina coastline. Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network is a local nonprofit focused on protecting the marine mammals in the Greater Charleston Area and has volunteer programs to get involved, local events, and outreaches to educate visitors on our local dolphins. You can even adopt a local dolphin


Fun Facts About Kiawah Island

Kiawah Island is a destination known for its pristine natural beauty, luxurious resort amenities, award-winning golf and tennis facilities, and intimate encounters with dolphins, sea turtles, and local wildlife in their natural habitat. 

Situated on 10 miles of Atlantic coastline and surrounded by South Carolina’s lush Lowcountry landscapes, Kiawah Island is one of the most beautiful barrier islands on the East Coast. Kiawah Island has a rich and storied past, boasts endless awards and accolades, and offers guests one of a kind experiences and unique eco-adventures for a beach vacation with a difference!


Kiawah Island Boasts Endless Awards & Accolades

Kiawah Island boasts endless awards and accolades. In 2021, Kiawah Island was ranked among the Top 10 Islands in the Continental US by Travel+Leisure, Top Islands in the Continental US by Conde Nast Traveler, and Top 10 Beaches in America by Dr. Stephen Leatherman (aka Dr. Beach). Additionally, Kiawah Island Golf Resort’s tennis facilities and golf courses ranked best in the world, and among the best in the world respectively. 

For the fourteenth consecutive year, The Sanctuary Hotel and The Spa at The Sanctuary received the Five Star rating from Forbes Travel Guide and, for the second consecutive year, Travel+Leisure World’s Best Awards ranks The Sanctuary the number one resort in South Carolina. 

Our exclusive collection of luxury Kiawah Island vacation homes, vacation villas, and monthly snowbird rentals place you steps from Kiawah Island’s award-winning beaches, natural attraction and eco-activities for an unforgettable island vacation.


Pirates Once Inhabited Kiawah Island

Kiawah Island is more than a luxury vacation destination, there’s a rich and colorful history beneath the natural beauty! Kiawah Island was named after the Kiawah Indians that inhabited the South Carolina sea islands in the 17th century. The English colonists arrived in 1670, the land passed through the hands of high-ranking men, infamous pirates, plantation farmers, and on to the Vanderhorst family shortly before the Revolutionary War (1775 to 1783). The Vanderhorst family privately owned Kiawah Island until 1950. 

Today, the Bass Pond site and Arnoldus Vanderhorst Mansion are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and, if you’re visiting Kiawah Island with kids, be sure to take a cruise with the Pirates of Charleston.


From Lumbermen to Luxury Resort Living

In 1950, lumberman and real estate developer, Charles Clance Royal, purchases Kiawah Island for logging and timber, at a price of $125,000.  In 1954, CC Royal builds the first beach home on Kiawah Island, names the first street after his wife, Eugenia, and Kiawah Island slowly starts to grow. In 1974, only twenty-four years after his investment, CC Royal sells Kiawah Island on to developers for $17 million, real estate development begins, and approximately $200 million is invested into the growth of Kiawah Island Golf Resort.  


The Waterways are Wild

Nearly 20% of Kiawah Island is made up of water, and those waterways are wild! Whether you’re tracking sea turtles, experiencing dolphins in their natural habitat, or fishing for a trophy catch, there’s a wild encounter for every nature lover and outdoor enthusiast on Kiawah Island. The tidal creeks, salt marshes, rivers and ocean waters abound in tranquility, wildlife, and endless opportunities for eco-friendly outdoor adventures

For travel inspiration and to find an eco-tour or activity to suit your level of adventure, bookmark our guide to The Best Places to Stay & Play on Kiawah Island. Our Lowcountry waterways may be wild, but they’re gentle enough for every age and ability to experience.


You Can Book a Tee-Time on a Rare Public PGA Golf Course

There are not many public courses that can claim to have hosted the PGA Championships more than once! Kiawah Island Golf Resort is one of the premier golf destinations in the US with seven award winning golf courses on the narrow island, five of which are public, including the PGA Ocean Course designed by Pete and Alice Dye in 1991. The Ocean Course was designed specifically for the 1991 Ryder Cup and boasts ten seaside holes along the Atlantic coastline – the most seaside holes in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Other championship courses at Kiawah Island Golf Resort include Cougar Point Golf Club, the first golf course on Kiawah Island by Gary Player (1976), Turtle Point by Jack Nicklaus (1981), Osprey Point by Tom Fazio (1988), Ocean Course by Pete Dye (1991), River Course by Tom Fazio (1995), and Oak Point by Clyde Johnson (1997). Fun fact – The Legend of Bagger Vance was filmed on the Kiawah Island Ocean Course.


You Can Bike Everywhere on Kiawah Island

Kiawah Island is one big, gated community and you can literally bike everywhere! The island boasts quiet streets for bike riding, 30+ miles of paved, shaded and scenic trails, and 10 miles of uninterrupted shoreline for beach bike rides. Wherever you stay on the island, you’re simply a short bike ride away from Kiawah Island’s top tours and activities, golf and tennis, and open-air shopping, dining and events at Freshfields Village. 

Our Kiawah Island vacation rentals are scattered throughout the island making it easy to hop on your bike to get around. Guests of Kiawah Exclusives receive a 5% discount from Surfscooter Bike Rentals, a locally-owned and operated business serving visitors to Kiawah Island since 1981.


Experiences Unique to Kiawah Island

There are only a handful of spots you can horse ride on the beach on the East Coast, neighboring Seabrook Island is one of them! The Seabrook Island Equestrian Center offers horseback rides along the shoreline and scenic trail rides through the forests for Seabrook Island residents and non-residents. The horseback rides trail along Seabrook North Beach, one of the few destinations in the world where visitors can witness the rare phenomenon of dolphin’s strand-feeding. 

If you’re taking a scenic drive from Kiawah Island, other experiences unique to the area include trolley tours of the Charleston Tea Plantation on Wadmalaw Island , America’s only commercial tea plantation, and picnics under the ancient 65-foot Angel Oak on the road to Charleston, known to be the oldest living thing east of the Mississippi River.


Lowcountry Living is Easy!

It’s the laid-back Lowcountry lifestyle that attracts many of our guests to Kiawah Island, our slice of paradise on the South Carolina coastline. The Lowcountry lifestyle is about embracing a slower pace and the simple things in life – the beauty of Mother Nature, small town farmers markets, local community-led events, and sustainable living that feeds back to the local community. 

Kiawah Island is internationally recognized as a destination for luxury, eco-friendly resort living. Kiawah Exclusives represent a collection of 100+ of the finest resort rentals on Kiawah Island with luxury amenities, unparalleled guest services, and a local team on hand to personalize your vacation experience. Lowcountry living is easy with Kiawah Exclusives.


How To Plan a Golf Vacation on Kiawah Island

Kiawah Island is ranked one of the “Top 25 Golf Islands in the World” and is home to some of the best golf courses in the US, designed by top golf architects and played by many of the greatest legends in golf history. 

Nestled on the South Carolina coastline directly south of Charleston, Kiawah Island is a natural barrier island with miles of stunning Atlantic beaches and tranquil waterways teeming with wildlife, elegant plantation style homes and villas, and a laid-back, luxurious lifestyle of outdoor activities and sporting. 

Known as the “Landscape of Legends”, Kiawah Island boasts two private courses (Cassique Course and River Course) and five award-winning Audubon certified championship courses – Osprey Point by Tom Fazio, Turtle Point by Jack Nicklaus, Cougar Point by Gary Player, Oak Point by Clyde Johnson, and the iconic Ocean Course designed by Alice and Pete Dye.


Kiawah Island is home to some of the best golf courses in the nation designed by world-renowned golf architects and played by some of the greatest legends in golf history. The Island is home to five award-winning golf courses, including the famed Ocean Course designed by Pete Dye and several other luxurious and oceanfront fairways.

With five Audubon certified championship courses to choose from, it can be difficult to find the perfect course to explore on your next vacation. We’ve put together this guide ranking all the golf courses on Kiawah Island to help you plan your must-play golf courses list!


1. The Ocean Course

The Ocean Course is ranked the #4 Public Golf Course in the US and ranked among the Top 25 of 100 Greatest US Golf Courses by Golf Digest. Kiawah’s Ocean Course is a true test of skill for avid golfers as a par 72 course with 18 holes designed by Pete and Alice Dye.

This course lies at the easternmost point of the island with ten holes hugging the Atlantic Ocean, making it the most beachfront course in the Northern Hemisphere. While this makes for one-of-a-kind unmatched scenery as you golf with a panoramic ocean view, it also exposes players to difficult breezes and unpredictable winds. If you’re up for the challenge, The Ocean Course is the number one course on Kiawah Island that should be first on your must-play list!


2. Oak Point Golf Course

The Oak Point Golf Course was awarded the 2019 Charleston Golf Course Owners Association “Course of the Year” for its strategic challenges and fresh design. The par 72 course features 18 holes designed by Clyde Johnston, a well-known Southeastern golf architect. 

Think you have what it takes to take on the Oak Point Golf Course with strategy over power? Then Oak Point Golf Course should be next on your list!


3. Osprey Point Golf Course

Osprey Point Golf Course started out as just a private members-only golf course, but quickly became well-known for its playability and notable layout. Now known as one of Kiawah’s championship Audubon certified courses, Tom Fazio led its renovation in 2014.

Every hole on the Osprey Point Golf Course is notable, with four par-3s, four par-5s, and ten par-4s ranging from 340 to 461 yards. If you’re up for the challenge, head over to Osprey Point Golf Course for a challenging but memorable day on the green!


4. Turtle Point Golf Course

The Turtle Point Golf Course underwent extensive renovations in 2016 with architectural and design assistance from Jack Nicklaus and his team. Since these improvements, the course has seen rave reviews from fans and golfers across the nation. The par 72 course features 18 holes with new Paspalum grass, rebuilt bunkers, laser-leveled tee boxes, and reestablishment of irrigation.

Ready to test these improvements for yourself and prove Jack Nicklaus’ “mind over muscle” strategy? Add the Turtle Point Golf Course to your list!


5. Cougar Point Golf Course

Cougar Point Golf Course reopened in 2017 after undergoing thorough renovations and designs led by Gary Player. Now winning over locals and visiting golfers alike, this par 72 course features 18 holes with stunning marsh views.

Whether you’ve played this beloved course before its renovations or you’re new to Kiawah’s golfing scene– Cougar Point Golf Course is a must on your next trip!


Stay On The Golf Course

Planning a golf getaway to Kiawah Island? Stay in one of our exclusive vacation rentals right on the golf course with unique accommodations to suit your needs–  including elevators for easy access, four plus bedrooms for large families, villas for a quick weekend trip, and more!

Browse our full collection of exclusive Kiawah golf homes and villas or contact one of our vacation specialists with the local knowledge and expertise to help you plan the ultimate PGA vacation on Kiawah Island.


Top 10 Attractions for Kids on Kiawah Island

Our kids are inundated with tech gadgets, gaming devices, and a constant stream of stimulation, day in and day out. Why not skip the bustling boardwalks lined with amusement, arcades and kid-centric attractions and spend your family vacation immersed in nature on Kiawah Island?

Kiawah Island is a secluded barrier island and luxury resort community only 25 miles from Charleston, SC. Arriving on Kiawah Island is like stepping back in time to the days we knew as kids! Miles of beaches and bike trails without the crowds, nature activities and grubby hands, family picnics under the stars, and a slower pace of life to unwind, relax and spend quality time with family. 

Great news for parents! The island is small (only 10 miles long x 1.5 miles wide) and the top things to do with your kids on Kiawah Island are merely a bike ride or short walk away from wherever you choose to stay.


1. Kick Off With a Classic Beach Day

Kiawah Island boasts 10 miles of beautiful beaches ranked among the best in the world! There are no noisy carnival games or oceanfront arcades – just miles of uncrowded and wide natural beaches with gorgeous white sands, rolling dunes, and gentle waves for a classic beach day with the kids. Kiawah Island’s Beachwalker Park is lifeguarded for safe swimming during season with beach gear rentals, rest rooms, a snack bar, outdoor showers, and all you need for a family beach day

Spend the day playing in the sun, sand and surf, beachcombing for treasures, building sandcastles, and switching to island time on Kiawah’s family-friendly beaches. You can watch the sunrise and sunset from the beach on Kiawah Island too, perfect for early beach walks, family bike rides, or sunset picnics with the kids.


2. Bike the Kiawah Island Trails

Kiawah Island has tons of trails (30+ miles) connecting the island and you can ride your bike everywhere! Touring the island on two wheels is a fun way to get outdoors, burn off energy, bond as a family, take in the scenery, and hunt for wildlife on the trails and in the scenic marshes and lagoons along the way. 

Surfscooter have been in the Kiawah bike rental business since 1981 and offer a wide range of bike sizes for every age, chariots and baby seats for little ones, and tag-a-long rentals to ride tandem – with a 5% discount for Kiawah Exclusive guests. We hope to see you and the kids on the trails soon!


3. Plan Nature Activities at Night Heron Park

Whether you’re traveling with a tenacious toddler or a fearless teen, Night Heron Park will satisfy their need for adventure. Night Heron Park lies in the heart of Kiawah Island and offers activities for all ages, unique Lowcountry tours, a calendar full of family-friendly events, and lessons for literally everything!

The kids get to learn about local wildlife at the Heron Park Nature Center, take an art class at the Turtles Nest Art Studio, bike the shaded nature trails, play basketball, disc-golf, and archery, and take their pick of unique ways to experience Kiawah island! Night Heron Park has an activity to match every family’s level of adventure.


4. Take the Kids Fishing & Crabbing

Most kids love to chase little critters, catch crabs, and feel the thrill of a fish on the end of their line. Fishing and crabbing are aged old traditions in the Lowcountry, and Kiawah Island is full of coastal lagoons, ponds, rivers, tidal creeks and estuaries teeming with fish and tasty Atlantic blue crab. 

Plan a family adventure of your own at the Bass Pond Fishing Dock or crabbing dock at Blue Heron Pond or experience the best of the coastal Lowcountry on a family-friendly fishing charter or crabbing excursion on the Kiawah River. The chances are you’ll be returning home with a fresh catch for a fish BBQ or classic Lowcountry Boil.  


5. Sign Up For The BEST Kids Camp Ever!

You’ll feel no guilt dropping the kids off at kids camp on Kiawah Island, in fact they’ll be asking to return! Kiawah Island’s unique kids programs are simply outstanding with Kamp Kiawah (ages 3-7), Camp Xtreme (ages 8-15), and a seasonal Adventure Camp (ages 8-15) with morning, afternoon, or full day programs and super fun counselors. 

Situated in Night Heron Park, the kids get to explore local wildlife, go scavenger hunting, play sports and team building games, paddleboard the waterways or learn to surf! If a night of romance is on the vacation itinerary, sign the kids up for Kid’s Night Out (ages 5-12) and make a reservation for an evening of wine tasting and fine dining on Kiawah Island.


6. Get the Kids Gaming

No, we’re not talking about online gaming! Kiawah Island Golf Resort is one of the top golfing destinations and tennis resorts in the world with first-class facilities and professional instruction programs for the whole family to get in the game! Kiawah Island’s famous Ocean Course is ranked one of the toughest golf courses in the US, perhaps too tough for little golfers, but perfect for dad to play while the kids are at camp. Osprey Point, Cougar Point, Turtle Point and Oak Point Golf Course all offer family tee times or sign up for golf instruction with a PGA-certified pro at the Tommy Cuthbert Golf Learning Center. 

If you’d rather reconnect on the courts, the Roy Barth Tennis Center has award-winning tennis clinics, fun parent-child doubles round robins, and fantastic fast-paced pickleball programs for the whole family to play together.


7. Hang out at Freshfields Village

Freshfields Village is the hub of the Kiawah Island community and a fun place for the whole family to shop, dine, and hangout! Create your own scented candles at the Palmetto Scent Studio, sip old-fashioned soda floats at Vincent’s Soda Fountain, browse the farmers market for unique souvenirs, and check out cool classic cars at the monthly Cars & Coffee. 

Freshfields Village hosts endless family-friendly events throughout the year with Shag Night on the Docks in spring, live music on the Village Green in summer, Sidewalk Saturdays, and classic Lowcountry festivals. It’s the perfect destination for a family outing and you can ride the Kiawah Island bike path all the way to Freshfields!


8. Reserve a Spot at the Mingo Point Oyster Roast

The Mingo Point Oyster Roast is the island’s longest running event and a unique Lowcountry experience to share with the kids. The famous Lowcountry cookout takes place on the banks of the Kiawah River with a feast of fresh seafood and oysters, BBQ specialties, a Lowcountry Boil and loads of laid-back island-style family fun!  There’s arts, crafts, reptile shows, plenty of space for the kids to roam free, live music and dancing, and the best sunsets on Kiawah Island!


9. Take a Scenic Day Trip to Charleston

On Kiawah Island you’ll immediately feel worlds away, yet you’re only 25 miles from historic Charleston, the #1 City in the USA! A trip to Charleston with kids will entertain, educate and spark their imagination at every turn. Take a tour of charming Charleston in a classic horse-drawn carriage or aboard a pirate ship, catch the ferry for a history lesson at Fort Sumter, play with the critters in the touch tanks at the South Carolina Aquarium, and spark their imaginations on a self-guided tour of the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry. Charleston is packed with kid-friendly activities and attractions, and bucket-list experiences for your whole tribe.  


10. Make Memories with Kiawah Exclusives

At Kiawah Exclusives we know that many of your vacation memories are made in the comfort and privacy of home and our exclusive collection of Kiawah Island rentals are perfectly appointed for memory making moments. Whether you’re looking to stay in a luxury oceanfront home with a pool, a family golf villa on the award-winning fairways, or steps from the kid-friendly action in Night Heron Park, you’ll find the best family vacation rentals, service with a smile, and family memories of a lifetime with Kiawah Exclusives.