Martin’s Guidebook to Kiawah Island and Charleston
City/town information
Kiawah is known for its world class golf courses and tennis. There are 10 miles of beach just 10 minutes' walk from our villa (or 5 minute bike ride). If you prefer to drive, free parking is available for beach access near Night Heron Park and near Beach Club. With over 30 miles of paved bike trails, Kiawah is best explored on two wheels to appreciate the island’s tropical splendor and wildlife. Guests are welcome to enjoy our two adult vintage Schwinn beach cruiser bikes and one child's bike or we can refer you to bike rental companies on the island if preferred.
Beach Access:
Exit the villa and head toward Turtle Point Lane. Take a right onto Turtle Point Lane and walk until you get to the stop sign. Take a left onto Tennis Club Villa.. At the end of this road will be a cul-de-sac with a walking bridge across a lagoon to your left. Take the bridge and you will exit out onto Green Dolphin Way. You will see Beach Access #27 straight in front of you. Follow this path over two board walks to the beach! Maps with highlighted routes are in this Welcome Book, please take one with you if needed.
Pool:
Please note the villa does not have access to the resort pools and daily access can not be purchased.
Tennis:
The Kiawah Island Golf Resort has been ranked #1 in the world by tennisresortsonline.com and named the #3 U.S. Tennis Resort by Tennis Magazine. There are 18 clay and 3 hard tennis courts on Kiawah. A reservation needs to be made and the fee is $49/hr. More information can be found at: https://kiawahresort.com/tennis/
Golf:
Kiawah Island is a world class golf destination and has hosted several world-class golf events including the inaugural Warburg Cup, the 2007 Senior PGA Championship, the 2012 PGA Championship and the recent 2021 PGA Championship May 17-24, 2021. The five courses include The Ocean Course, Cougar Point, Osprey Point, Turtle Point and Oak Point. More information can be found at: https://kiawahresort.com/golf/
Bicycling:
If additional bikes are needed they can be rented; two well reviewed bike rental shops are Island Bike and Surf Shop and Seaside Cycles. A map of bike trails can be found at https://www.sctrails.net/trails/trail/kiawah-island-bike
Food:
The villa is 0.7 miles from Town Center Market and 0.7 miles to the restaurants of the Sanctuary which include Ocean Room, Jasmine Porch, Beaches and Cream. Freshfields Village is at the entrance to Kiawah and has many delicious restaurants, a grocery store, coffee shop and boutiques.
Dolphins:
Dolphins are frequently seen in the waters surrounding Kiawah. Dolphin strand feeding can be observed at Captain Sam’s Inlet on the western side of the island between Kiawah and Seabrook Island. More information can be found at: https://www.kiawahisland.org/dolphin-strand-feeding/
Kayaking:
Kayaking Kiawah Island is one of the best ways to discover some of the island’s diverse landscapes and wildlife. Seacoast Sports and Outfitters rents kayaks and is located in nearby Freshfields Village. Favorite local launch points are Mingo Point and close to the Kiawah River Bridge. Coastal Expeditions is a local outfitter that offers kayak tours along the Kiawah River. Their outpost is 7 miles from the condo, about 10-15 min drive. More information can be found at: https://www.coastalexpeditions.com/
64 locals recommend
Kiawah Island
Kiawah is known for its world class golf courses and tennis. There are 10 miles of beach just 10 minutes' walk from our villa (or 5 minute bike ride). If you prefer to drive, free parking is available for beach access near Night Heron Park and near Beach Club. With over 30 miles of paved bike trails, Kiawah is best explored on two wheels to appreciate the island’s tropical splendor and wildlife. Guests are welcome to enjoy our two adult vintage Schwinn beach cruiser bikes and one child's bike or we can refer you to bike rental companies on the island if preferred.
Beach Access:
Exit the villa and head toward Turtle Point Lane. Take a right onto Turtle Point Lane and walk until you get to the stop sign. Take a left onto Tennis Club Villa.. At the end of this road will be a cul-de-sac with a walking bridge across a lagoon to your left. Take the bridge and you will exit out onto Green Dolphin Way. You will see Beach Access #27 straight in front of you. Follow this path over two board walks to the beach! Maps with highlighted routes are in this Welcome Book, please take one with you if needed.
Pool:
Please note the villa does not have access to the resort pools and daily access can not be purchased.
Tennis:
The Kiawah Island Golf Resort has been ranked #1 in the world by tennisresortsonline.com and named the #3 U.S. Tennis Resort by Tennis Magazine. There are 18 clay and 3 hard tennis courts on Kiawah. A reservation needs to be made and the fee is $49/hr. More information can be found at: https://kiawahresort.com/tennis/
Golf:
Kiawah Island is a world class golf destination and has hosted several world-class golf events including the inaugural Warburg Cup, the 2007 Senior PGA Championship, the 2012 PGA Championship and the recent 2021 PGA Championship May 17-24, 2021. The five courses include The Ocean Course, Cougar Point, Osprey Point, Turtle Point and Oak Point. More information can be found at: https://kiawahresort.com/golf/
Bicycling:
If additional bikes are needed they can be rented; two well reviewed bike rental shops are Island Bike and Surf Shop and Seaside Cycles. A map of bike trails can be found at https://www.sctrails.net/trails/trail/kiawah-island-bike
Food:
The villa is 0.7 miles from Town Center Market and 0.7 miles to the restaurants of the Sanctuary which include Ocean Room, Jasmine Porch, Beaches and Cream. Freshfields Village is at the entrance to Kiawah and has many delicious restaurants, a grocery store, coffee shop and boutiques.
Dolphins:
Dolphins are frequently seen in the waters surrounding Kiawah. Dolphin strand feeding can be observed at Captain Sam’s Inlet on the western side of the island between Kiawah and Seabrook Island. More information can be found at: https://www.kiawahisland.org/dolphin-strand-feeding/
Kayaking:
Kayaking Kiawah Island is one of the best ways to discover some of the island’s diverse landscapes and wildlife. Seacoast Sports and Outfitters rents kayaks and is located in nearby Freshfields Village. Favorite local launch points are Mingo Point and close to the Kiawah River Bridge. Coastal Expeditions is a local outfitter that offers kayak tours along the Kiawah River. Their outpost is 7 miles from the condo, about 10-15 min drive. More information can be found at: https://www.coastalexpeditions.com/
Neighborhoods
From Kiawah Island it is only a 40 minute drive to historic Charleston and its world famous restaurants!
Historic Charleston has been ranked the #1 U.S. city many years over by Travel + Leisure magazine’s “World’s Best” awards as well as one of the “10 most exciting cities for food around the world” by Food & Wine magazine. The city is easily walkable and a great way to experience the Battery, Rainbow Row, historic homes like the Nathaniel Russell House Museum and Calhoun Mansion, shopping along King Street, seasonal farmer’s market in Marion Square and many other sites. For family’s the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry and the South Carolina Aquarium are great to visit. For the history buff, the Charleston City Market can be found on Meeting Street, Fort Sumter can be visited by ferry and Fort Moultrie is a short drive across the inlet on Sullivan’s Island.
Angel Oak Tree is an impressive 400-500 year old live oak tree on John’s Island. It is along the drive to Charleston and is worth seeing if you have the time. https://www.angeloaktree.com/
Plantations can be found throughout South Carolina. If interested, more information can be found at https://south-carolina-plantations.com/plantation-tours.html
329 locals recommend
Charleston
From Kiawah Island it is only a 40 minute drive to historic Charleston and its world famous restaurants!
Historic Charleston has been ranked the #1 U.S. city many years over by Travel + Leisure magazine’s “World’s Best” awards as well as one of the “10 most exciting cities for food around the world” by Food & Wine magazine. The city is easily walkable and a great way to experience the Battery, Rainbow Row, historic homes like the Nathaniel Russell House Museum and Calhoun Mansion, shopping along King Street, seasonal farmer’s market in Marion Square and many other sites. For family’s the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry and the South Carolina Aquarium are great to visit. For the history buff, the Charleston City Market can be found on Meeting Street, Fort Sumter can be visited by ferry and Fort Moultrie is a short drive across the inlet on Sullivan’s Island.
Angel Oak Tree is an impressive 400-500 year old live oak tree on John’s Island. It is along the drive to Charleston and is worth seeing if you have the time. https://www.angeloaktree.com/
Plantations can be found throughout South Carolina. If interested, more information can be found at https://south-carolina-plantations.com/plantation-tours.html
Food scene
La Tela Pizzeria
133 Village Green LnDelicious food - the eggplant pizza is a favorite
Fuji Sushi Bar & Grill - Kiawah
205 Farm Lake View RdAsian fusion
Java Java
375 Gardners CirGreat coffee
The Royal Tern
3005 Maybank HwyDelicious seafood along the drive to Charleston
Halls Chophouse
434 King StLocal favorite for a night out
Amazing donuts and a great starting point to walk around Charleston
27 locals recommend
Glazed Gourmet Doughnuts
481 King StAmazing donuts and a great starting point to walk around Charleston
Belgian Gelato
8 Vendue RangeTasty gelato down by the Pineapple Fountain in Charleston
167 Raw
193 King StIndaco
526 King StWild Olive Restaurant
2867 Maybank HwyDelicious Lebanese food, good for people watching if you can get a table by the window
7 locals recommend
Leyla Fine Lebanese Cuisine
298 King StDelicious Lebanese food, good for people watching if you can get a table by the window
Leon's
698 King St
Melfi's
721 King StJasmine Porch at The Sanctuary
1 Sanctuary Beach DriveThe Ocean Room
1 Sanctuary Beach DrTown Center Market
4000 Sea Forest Drive
FortyEight - Wine Bar & Kitchen
547 Freshfields DrCantina 76
819 Coleman BoulevardSightseeing
Famous Pineapple Fountain
1 Vendue RangeGood views and fun to visit with kids
Battery Place
Battery PlaceGreat views and history in Charleston
Fort Sumter National Monument
A must for the history buff visiting Charleston
Great aquarium with touch tanks, sea turtle hospital, educational shows and demonstrations. Also great views of the harbor where you might see one of the local dolphins
489 locals recommend
South Carolina Aquarium
100 Aquarium WharfGreat aquarium with touch tanks, sea turtle hospital, educational shows and demonstrations. Also great views of the harbor where you might see one of the local dolphins
Children's Museum of the Lowcountry
25 Ann StFun for the kids
Patriots Point
40 Patriots Point RdImpressive display of three museum ships
Rainbow Row
83-107 E Bay StNathaniel Russell House
51 Meeting StKing Street
King StreetShopping and boutiques, restaurants
Marion Square
Great Farmer's market in the summer
Gaillard Performance Hall Foundation
95 Calhoun StNight Heron Park
Kiawah Island ParkwayFun for the whole family
Angel Oak Tree
3688 Angel Oak Rd