You could spend a lifetime exploring Kiawah and the surrounding area and never run out of things to do. But no trip to Kiawah is complete without these top ten things.

Top Things To Do On Kiawah Island

The Beach

It’s what we are known for! Ten miles of pristine, private beach is one of the hallmarks of the Kiawah lifestyle. With its east-west orientation, the beach provides a prime spot for basking in both sunrises and sunsets. It has been recognized year after year as one of the best beaches in the world. Plan a day doing absolutely nothing under the Carolina sun with your toes buried in the sand. You won’t regret it.

Play the Ocean Course

Kiawah is nothing short of a golfer’s paradise, and the Ocean Course is a dream. Host to the 2012 and 2021 PGA Championship and named by Golf Digest as “America’s Toughest Course” in 2011, The Ocean Course plays along 7,296 yards, plus 600 yards more for those who play from the championship tees. With views along 2.5 miles of Atlantic Ocean and more seaside holes than any other course in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s no wonder The Ocean Course was chosen as a key location for the film The Legend of Bagger Vance. It is one of only seventeen “5-star” courses in North America in Golf Digest’s“Best Places to Play” reader’s poll, and GOLF Magazine has rated it #3 in its “Top 100 Courses You Can Play” list. Guests travel from all over the globe to play this esteemed course, so book a tee time early!

Serve Up Some Time For Tennis

Tennis at Kiawah is highly recognized, with the Kiawah Island Golf Resort ranked #1 in the world by Tennisresortsonline.com and the #3 U.S. Tennis Resort by Tennis Magazine. Whether it’s through the Resort or the Kiawah Island Club, the Island’s tennis programs offer a wide range of instructional programs catering to all skill levels and to every member of your family or group, including daily clinics, drills, and private instruction.

The Spa

While Kiawah is a very active Island, you haven’t lived until you carved out time for one of the Island’s spas. At the Sanctuary, you’ll find one of the best spas in the country (ranked by Travel + Leisure as one of the Best Hotel Spas in the United States). And just up the road, situated on its own quiet island on a peaceful peninsula overlooking the Kiawah River, you’ll find Sasanqua Spa. An amenity exclusively for Kiawah Island Club Members, luxury and privacy are exquisite and unmatched.

Eat!

Charleston is known as one of the great culinary destinations in America. So naturally, you’ll experience exactly that on the Island. Take your pick from fine dining to casual, yet refined eateries scattered throughout the Island. Dine on a mouth-watering steak at the Forbes 4-Star and AAA 4-Diamond The Ocean Room, enjoy iconic seafood paired with an extensive wine list at The Atlantic Room, or choose from any of the other dozens of celebrated restaurants on the Island. At Kiawah, you’ll be hard-pressed to have a dining experience you won’t soon forget.

Explore the River by Kayak or Canoe

Bring family, friends, and your sense of adventure along the Kiawah River or marsh for a thrilling new perspective of the Island and its surroundings. This peaceful journey along the untainted waters will reveal a side of Kiawah that allows you to take a deep breath and appreciate what truly makes Kiawah so special. Book a tour or set off on your own expedition.

Have a sunset cocktail at The Ryder Cup Bar

You don’t have to love golf to appreciate the sunset near the 18^thhole of the Ocean Course. Consistently called the best spots to watch a sunset along the Eastern Seaboard, The Ryder Cup Bar is your perfect gathering place for this unrivaled experience. With a salt-air breeze and the ocean just a few feet away, grab a cocktail and a seat and watch the sun disappear in magnificent fashion. After your first time taking it all in, trust us when we say you’ll be back time and time again.

Make a day trip to Charleston

Kiawah sits just 21 miles south of historic Charleston, offering convenient access to one of the most charming and celebrated cities in America and countless options for award-winning dining, theater, art, entertainment, shopping, businesses, and more. Easily take a day trip into the Holy City from Kiawah. When you return, the serenity of the Island will be waiting for you just as you left it.

Bike the Island

Kiawah is a large island with an abundance of beauty. What better way to see it all then by bike? There are 30 miles of bike paths located across the Island (not to mention the ten miles of beach to explore). Get lost on our trails and explore the most untouched parts of Kiawah.

Shop at Freshfields Village

You don’t have to go into Charleston to have an open-air shopping and dining experience. You’ll find everything you need right at the entrance to the Island. Freshfields Village has more than 30 shops, a diverse assortment of restaurants, spa services, and a boutique hotel. Spend an afternoon perusing the village or grab some ice cream after dinner. Freshfields Village is always abuzz with activity and excitement, and even hosts a Friday night concert series in the summer.

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