Located 25 miles southwest of Charleston and along the Atlantic, Kiawah Island is a South Carolina gem. Here, untouched nature coexists with a private beach and unique golf resort. Below, journalist Hannah Selinger shares her “1, 2, 3 Destination Guide” to Kiawah Island. ⬇️
TO STAY:
Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort (@KiawahResort):
This five-star hotel offers spacious accommodations just feet from Kiawah Island’s 10 miles of uninterrupted beach. Known for its breathtaking views and exceptional dining, the resort is also home to a full spa, tennis center, and acclaimed golf courses.
TO EAT:
The Atlantic Room:
Head to the Kiawah Island Golf Resort for dinner at The Atlantic Room, a restaurant focusing on sustainable seafood.
FortyEight – Wine Bar & Kitchen:
The well-curated FortyEight – Wine Bar & Kitchen has an astoundingly broad wine list, with 10 sparkling offerings by the glass. Enjoy a cheese and charcuterie platter (the restaurant serves seven different cheeses, which are available a la carte) or traditional shrimp and grits, served with an Andouille sausage gravy.
TO VISIT:
Get Your Golf Game on:
Kiawah Island is home to some of the country’s best golfing. Pick up a club at any of the island’s acclaimed courses, like The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort. Residents of the island who are members of the Kiawah Island Club can also play at the Cassique Course, which was designed by golf legend Tom Watson.
See Local Wildlife:
The island is known for its ambitious conservation efforts. Visit the Heron Park Nature Center for a sense of Kiawah’s incredible biodiversity (loggerhead turtles nest on the island, and bobcats have a native population there, too), or take a tour to see bottlenose dolphins up close.
Moments with Nature:
Road trip it to Murrells Inlet and visit @Brookgreen_Gardens, a 9,100-acre sculpture garden, and nature preserve. Don’t miss Atalaya Castle, a historic landmark that was the winter home of industrialist and philanthropist Archer M. Huntington and his wife, sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington, or @Hobcaw_Barony, a 16,000-acre research center offering a glimpse of the local ecosystem.
