Kiawah Island is a barrier island located in Charleston County, South Carolina. It’s 21 miles southwest of Charleston as the crow flies or 26 miles by road. The island is around 10 miles in length and 1.5 miles in width at its widest point. It’s separated from the mainland by the Kiawah River, which runs to the north, west, and east. To the south of the island is the Atlantic Ocean.
The geography around Kiawah Island limits the number of ways you can get to the island. Despite the limited options, it’s easy to get there from Charleston or the surrounding areas.
Road – Kiawah Island is connected with the mainland by a single bridge over the Kiawah River. The bridge is located on the island’s western side, close to Mingo Point. It carries the Kiawah Island Parkway, which crosses the river and leads onto Seabrook Island, which connects with Johns Island and Charleston. In normal traffic, it should take around 35 minutes to drive to Kiawah Island from downtown Charlestown.
Boat – There are no ferry services to or from the island. The fast and efficient road crossing over the Kiawah River Bridge means there’s little demand for a ferry service. The only way to get to the island by boat is to bring your own or by private hire.
Air – There are no airports on Kiawah Island, so you must fly into one of the neighboring airports. The closest and best option is Charleston Airport, just under 20 miles from Kiawah Island. Charleston Airport is well served by domestic and international flights. The only way to get to the island from Charleston Airport is by taxi or Uber. Expect to pay between $60 to $90 for a journey that can take up to an hour.
You can drive on Kiawah Island, and navigating the island’s simple and efficient road network is easy. While driving to Kiawah Island is the best way to get there, we’d suggest the best way of getting around the island is by bicycle. Many of the island’s highlights can’t be reached by car, so you must travel by bike or on foot. There are also some excellent cycle routes, with over 30 miles of paved cycle tracks. So, while the island is quite long, it’s also very narrow, which makes it more than manageable by bike.
The star attraction of Kiawah Island is its 10 miles plus of beautiful beaches. However, there’s plenty more to this spectacular island than just its beaches.
Golf Courses – There are 5 public golf courses and 2 additional members-only courses on the island. Several of these courses are considered world-class, and the island is a two-time host of the PGA Championship.
Cycling – There are over 30 miles of paved cycle routes plus 10 miles of bikeable beach, making it a great cycle destination. The island has various habitats, from marshes to forests, which are best experienced on a bike. The island is considerably quieter than other nearby islands, making it a perfect biking location.
Dine Out in Style – There’s an excellent range of restaurants on the island and nearby Freshfields Village. From seafood to French cuisine, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Night Heron Park – A great place for families with kids, featuring a large swimming pool, playground, and frisbee golf. A hugely popular nature center also features snakes and other indigenous animals. During the summer months, movies are shown in the park during the warm evening, and you can watch them from the comfort of the pool.
Freshfields Village – Although it’s not located on Kiawah Island, Freshfields Village on neighboring Seabrook Island acts as the commercial center for the island. There are some excellent restaurants here, great shops, and a spa.
Kiawah Island has a great year-round climate. It benefits from mild winters from December through to February and hot summers extending from June through to September. The summer months are the peak season despite the higher rainfall that occurs during this time. Spring and Autumn are pleasant seasons to visit, with good weather, less rain, and fewer crowds. However, it’s not always beach weather during this time, which is the one downside. Overall, we’d recommend visiting in June or September when you can enjoy the best weather and beaches, but without the crowds that can arrive during the peak summer months.
You can drive to Morocco from the neighboring countries of Spain and Mauritania, but not Algeria, despite a nearly 2000 km long border between the two countries. Travel between Morocco and any of its neighbors comes with its fair share of challenges. At first glance, you could be mistaken for
If you love solitude, amazing landscapes, and vast open spaces, you’re going to love Western Australia. This amazing land, and the northwest in particular, is often referred to as the ‘Last Frontier’. It’s a land of endless remote possibilities and nowhere showcases this better than the amazing array of national
The Albanian port city of Vlore is one of Albania’s spectacular coastal highlights. Situated at the northern end of the Albanian Riviera and overlooking the beautiful Bay of Vlore, the city is blessed with a wealth of attractions. The home of Albanian independence and the gateway to the Riviera, the
You can drive to remote Tuktoyaktuk on the Arctic Ocean using the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway, also known as the “Mackenzie Highway” or “Tuk Highway.” The road provides access to Tuktoyaktuk from Inuvik in the Northwest Territories. Inuvik is accessible from mainland Canada by using the Dempster Highway, which runs all the
It’s possible to drive to beautiful Gasparilla Island from the nearby Florida mainland using a bridge known as the Boca Grande Causeway. The causeway connects the unincorporated community of Placida on the mainland to the northern tip of Gasparilla Island, allowing vehicles to access the island. There’s a $6 round
