From Wikitravel

Kiawah Island [1] is a city in Charleston County, South Carolina

[edit] Get in

The nearest airport is Charleston International which is a 30 to 45 minute drive from the island. You can also fly in to Savannah but this is much further away.

[edit] Get around

It is a good idea to have your own transportation although the island does offer a shuttle service. There is an Enterprise car rental at Charleston airport.

[edit][add listing] See

Kiawah is a private gated resort community. It has a 10 mile stretch of beach as well as acres of beautiful marsh and river scenery. Wildlife is abundant on the island. There are literally thousands of alligators, numerous species of birds, deer, bobcats, raccoons, and if you're lucky, you may get to see a loggerhead sea turtle come ashore to lay her eggs.

[edit][add listing] Do

In addition to the beach, the island is also well known for golf. There are four golf courses on the island, including the world famous Ocean Course. Golf can be rather expensive. There is also a 21 acre park and playground called Night Heron Park which offers a soccer field and basketball courts and a large swimming pool. There are also over 30 miles of paved biking trails on the island. You also have two tennis centers and a workout facility available. Kiawah is very convenient to Charleston which is only about a half hour drive from the island. There is a great deal to see and do in the city.

• Surfscooter Bike Rentals (Kiawah Island Bike Rentals), Kiawah Island,SC, ☎ 843-768-9585, [2]. Kiawah Island and Seabrook Island Bike Rentals.  edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

Stroll through the shops at The Sanctuary for personal gifts, art and fashionable clothing and accessories, or browse through the selection of golf apparel at the Signature Shop. The island also features pro shops at each of the five championship golf courses. You will find gifts and clothing at the Staw Market at West Beach as well as beach accessories and apparel at the market at East Beach Town Centre.

[edit][add listing] Eat

Kiawah has no shortage of restaurants nearby. There is a restaurant at the Turtle Point Golf club and the Ocean Course (though they only serve breakfast and lunch). The Freshfields village has a great restaurant, and the Bohicket Marina on neighboring Seabrook Island has several great restaurants which offer spectacular views of Horseshoe Creek. Some of these restaurants can be quite pricey so you may want to make the trip into Charleston for dining.

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

When selecting your Kiawah vacation accommodations, be aware of the following: All villas are individually owned and managed - thus, no two villas look the same on the inside.

1. The majority of villas on Kiawah were built in the 1970's and 80's.
2. Many of Kiawah's villas feature dated interiors and are not well maintained. So, no matter where you rent - see interior photos of the villa that you are renting - no one wants "surprises" on arrival.
3. Be sure to read on-line comments provided by guests that have stayed at Kiawah.

Kiawah Island has a newly constructed hotel called the Sanctuary. Rooms at the Sanctuary can be expensive, particularly if you want one with an ocean view. They can be as high as $600-$800 per night. If you're going during the off season, you may be better off renting a private home or villa. You'll usually get a really good deal on one, particularly booking at the last minute. These homes and villas are privately owned and the owners will usually rent through one of several rental agencies on the island. However, when renting through a rental agency other than Kiawah Island Golf and Tennis resort, access to some of the amenities may be limited.

• KiawahExclusives (Kiawah Island Vacation Rentals), 4343 Betsy Kerrison Parkway, Johns Island,SC 29455, ☎ 800-845-6966, [3]. checkin: 4:00; checkout: 10:30. Offering Kiawah Island Vacation Rental Homes and Villas.  edit

[edit] Get out

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!