The Lay of The Land: Kiawah Island Communities

Kiawah Island is a treasure trove of natural beauty, stunning architecture, and too-good-to-be-true golf courses. Together, these elements create the unique, far-reaching experience that only Kiawah can offer. The Island is not only designed to maximize all of its features, but also to preserve its rugged, natural, and breathtakingly beautiful nature as much as possible. An approach rarely seen in places of the same caliber.

From west to east, there are five Kiawah Island communities comprising smaller enclaves. Within Kiawah’s overarching philosophy of building with nature, each of these communities has its own distinctive look and feel. 

Listed below are the five primary Kiawah Island communities, their points of interest, and enclaves. 

Cassique

Located just minutes from Freshfields Village, Cassique includes The Burn, The Estuary, Cassique Clubhouse Village, Cassique Garden Cottages, and Eagle Island. Home to the Members-only Cassique Golf Course, the area’s only links-style course, this community is favored for its rich sporting and outdoor activities. 

In addition to the English tavern and clubhouse, there is a boathouse and a dock for river access, the renowned Voysey’s restaurant, and a Sports Pavilion for active individuals. The terrain consists of riverfront views and tranquil marsh. 

West Beach Village

A bit further south of the Island’s entrance gates is West Beach Village. Among its many features is the Cougar Point Golf Course, one of five public courses on Kiawah Island. There is also the Kiawah Island Community Association’s Sandcastle and Beach Club. At heart, the area feels historic and casual, representing the Island’s first residential community and inn. 

Among the West Beach community’s enclaves are Courtside and Dune Villas, Greenslake Cottages, Inlet Cove, River View, Seascape Villas, Shipwatch Villas, Sparrow Pond Cottages, The Pointe, and Fairway Oaks.

East Beach Village

The Sanctuary Hotel and Night Heron Park can be found in this energetic locale. This area is home to many of the Island’s rental properties as well as the Nature Center, Turtle Point Golf Course, Town Center Market, and Roy Barth Tennis Center. Lush forests and views of the Atlantic water are prominent in East Beach. 

The Island has over 30 miles of paved bike trails connecting its terrain, so you can see the entire island from either a bike or on foot. In terms of sightseeing, East Beach is a great central starting point.

Communities here include the Turtle Point and Turtle Cove Villas, The Enclave at Turtle Beach, Tennis Club Villas, Oceanwood Homes, Parkside Villas, Night Heron Cottages, Maritime Villas, Cypress Point, and Mariners Watch. 

Vanderhorst

On the Island, a second set of gates provides privacy for the Vanderhorst community, which includes Indigo Park, Ocean Green, Ocean Oaks, Ocean Palms, Rhett’s Bluff, Summer Island, Terrapin Island, The Preserve, The Settlement, and Vanderhorst Beach. Along with the Vanderhorst Estate, which was recently the largest sale in Island history. 

Its natural environment features a taste of all Kiawah has to offer, lagoons and marshes that form long stretches, pristine beaches, and coastal forests. Kiawah Island Club Members are granted access to the Sasanqua Spa and The River Course and Clubhouse within Vanderhorst. Other amenities located in the community include The Beach Club, Rhett’s Bluff Landing, Eagle Point Launch, Cinder Creek Lodge, and both Osprey Point and Turtle Point golf courses. 

Ocean Park 

Ocean Park is located at the very eastern end of the peninsula, home to the renowned Ocean Course. Kiawah’s most desirable community boasts the most iconic views. Imagine a Savanna-like terrain that feels like it extends to the horizon and keeps on going. Several winding creeks and deep lagoons dot the landscape, offering a closer encounter with nature and its inhabitants.

There are a number of communities in Ocean Park, including Marsh Walk, The Cottages at Marsh Walk, Front Nine Lane, and Cougar Island — a 25-acre property near the golf course. Legendary venues surround even more legendary views, such as the Club’s Marsh House, the Ocean Course and its Clubhouse, the Atlantic Room restaurant, and the Treehouse and Playground. Residents of this gated community enjoy views of the marsh, golf course, and Atlantic Ocean.

Explore Kiawah Island for the First Time

It’s one thing to know about Kiawah, but it’s an entirely different thing to experience it. 

In order to show you what it’s like to live an extraordinary life on this Island, we invite you to come visit us and experience it for yourself. Don’t be surprised if you get caught up in the natural beauty of it, many do. But it’s the homes, individual community members, and the Club’s commitment to providing a high level of service to Members that make it so special. Altogether, that’s what Kiawah Island is all about. 

Click the button below to get in touch with our team and plan a visit to this incredible place. During your visit to Kiawah, our team will show you the ins and outs of the area and the homes that are available here.