Already rich in championship-level courses and history, South Carolina’s preeminent golf resort is committed to being the perfect venue for every visitor
Five stunning courses, three PGA Championships, two World Cups, and an infamous Ryder Cup. Kiawah Island’s portfolio of courses and championship resume make the resort a bucket-list destination for golfers. But this 10,000-acre resort has much more to offer whether or not golf is your passion.
With nature programs, a sandy beach stretching more than 10 miles, a comprehensive tennis center, a five-star destination spa, and a burgeoning activity center, Kiawah is rich with programs and amenities for guests of all ages and interests. Whether you’re gearing up for a golf trip with your buddies, planning a romantic couple’s getaway, or looking for the ideal spot for your next family vacation, you can’t miss with a visit to one of South Carolina’s most famous—and fun—barrier islands.
1. Hub of Activity
Night Heron Park, the resort’s village-like collection of family friendly venues, will get a big boost later this year when a new, 22,000-square-foot activity center opens. Coming soon will be an expanded nature center, an eight-lane bowling alley, old school arcade, a handful of GOLFZON golf simulators, a casual pub, and an art studio, giving the new facility the potential to be an all-day experience. And don’t forget the nearby swimming pool, fitness center, café, and other amenities that are already open.
2. Two-Wheel Wonders
With a 30-mile network of trails, not to mention more than 10 miles of ridable beach terrain, Kiawah Island is a biker’s utopia. We recommend renting one of the resort’s one-speed cruisers and pedaling out along Ocean Course Drive, where you can gawk at dozens of magnificent mansions. In the late afternoon, expect plenty of white-tailed deer sightings, too.
3. Home Sweet Home
For the ultimate golf buddies’ trip, book one of the resort’s four Ocean Course cottages. Each has more than 3,800 square feet of living space with four en-suite bedrooms, and all are adorned with photos and memorabilia from the 1991 Ryder Cup as well as the trio of past PGA Championships contested on Pete Dye’s famous oceanside challenge. Each night’s stay includes a round on any of the resort’s five courses (pending availability), unlimited use of the Ocean Course driving range, and other perks. Unobstructed views looking across the driving range to the Atlantic Ocean beyond aren’t bad, either.
4. Successful Beginnings
You might not think a resort with so much golf tradition is the right venue for entering the game, but Abby Welch, Kiawah Island’s director of instruction, knows how to make a first-timer’s experience approachable, fun, and successful. With loads of experience leading instructional programs for women and juniors, she’s the perfect teacher for that friend or family member interested (and maybe a little intimidated) in taking up the game.
5. Unique Perspectives
Watching Atlantic bottlenose dolphins feed along the banks of the Kiawah River or catching a glimpse of an osprey along the saltmarsh are just two of the experiences available to guests who sign up for one of many nature- and wildlife-focused boat tours. This fascinatingly diverse barrier island takes on a completely different look when viewed from the water.
