Vacation Rentals in Kiawah Island

A short ride from the Charleston International Airport will transport you to the picturesque barrier island of Kiawah on the Atlantic Coast. Windswept beaches, wistful marshlands, and ancient oak forests delight nature enthusiasts but the island is also an internationally renowned golf destination. Several beaches have an east-west orientation which simply means you can enjoy both sunrises and sunsets from the same location! A rented car is perfect to navigate Kiawah and its surrounding towns but the well-marked coastal bike paths are just as fun. Book a Holidu rental and then reset your clock to island time.

Beautiful Kiawah assures its visitors an unrivaled holiday experience. After a hard day’s sightseeing, return to your sea-facing rental and tune in to the sound of the waves. Many rentals are fitted with air-conditioning and outdoor pools, much-needed during summer. Outdoor barbecue setups are perfect to cook freshly caught fish. With regards to location, several vacation rentals are clustered around the main town center and they’ll give you easy access to convenience stores, ice-cream shops, boutiques, and adventure sports outfitters. It’s also possible to score beach-facing rentals where you’ll enjoy direct ocean views from your bedroom – check around the Heron Park Nature Center area. The West Beach area is quieter and closer to Kiawah Beachwater Park, and the idyllic Kiawah River.

Kiawah Island’s festivals and events let visitors immerse themselves in true island life. Fall is particularly busy, and a top-rated event is the Tri-Kiawah triathlon where onlookers come out in full force to cheer on athletes as they swim, bike, and run through challenging marshland and sandy shores. There’s also Dogtoberfest, an event that features dog costume contests, food, drinks, and pet adoption opportunities. The family-friendly Fall Festival keeps attendees happy with southern lawn games, pumpkin bowling, face-painting, and live music sessions. When the year ends, plan a visit to the neighboring James Island County Park for the Holiday Festival of Lights. The showstopper here is the light show that is said to feature two million lights!

You’re bound to bump into the island’s friendly residents at its pristine beaches, marshes, and woody uplands. A tip is to first visit the Heron Park Nature Center for information on various activities. On your nature tour, you’ll spot river otters and alligators basking in the sun, white-tailed deer grazing peacefully, gray foxes, bobcats, and the gentle loggerhead sea turtles that arrive at Kiawah to lay their eggs. Kayaking through the rivers and creeks could earn you close encounters with dolphins and river critters! Finally, keep your eyes peeled on the shoreline for sightings of over 200 bird species from egrets to herons.

Take advantage of the island’s virgin beaches and spend the day swimming, sun-tanning, or building sandcastles. The relatively calm waters are perfect for standup paddle boarding, canoeing, and kayaking. Newbies can take lessons with experienced teachers, and equipment can be rented without fuss. Fishing charters will take you to marshes and creeks full of sea trout, flounder, and redfish. Over thirty miles of paved bike trails ensure that you stay fit, and possibly spot a few animals on the way. Once the sun goes down, Kiawah’s nocturnal animals come out to play – meet them on the Night Beach Walk where a naturalist will help you identify calls of the owl and other night creatures.

Kiawah has quite a few dining options that’ll please fastidious foodies. Kick start your day with a hearty breakfast of crispy bacon, muffins, fruit, and French toast at The Market at Town Center. For fresh Mexican nachos, fish tacos, and tasty margaritas, West Beach Cantina won’t disappoint. For shrimp scampi, cheese & charcuterie delights paired with a superb selection of ciders, wines, and ales, try Forty Eight Wine Bar & Kitchen at Freshfields. Oyster roasts and barbecue cookouts are a weekly affair during summers at Mingo Point, and there’s live music to groove to too! Finally, don’t forget the sundaes, milkshakes, and delicious waffle cones at Ben & Jerry’s.

The island’s biggest draw is the golf courses designed by the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tom Fazio. Leading the way is The Ocean Course with its spectacular ocean views and seaside holes. At the Turtle Point and Osprey Point courses, you’ll find yourself amidst glorious blue lagoons and lush forests.

Drive down to Captain Sam's Inlet during low tide to watch the dolphins indulge in a fascinating behavior known as “strand feeding” where they trap and herd smaller fish towards the shores. There's a whole lot of thrashing and flailing, and this learned behavior passed on from mother dolphins to their babies is extraordinary to watch.

Night Heron Park hosts free dive-in movies on Tuesday nights. Catch the latest flick from the comfort of your float in a swimming pool - they screen child-friendly films too. Before the film, check out the live exhibits at the park’s Nature Center. A gift shop here sells interesting memorabilia.

A 45-minute drive north will get you to South Carolina’s largest city. Stroll Charleston’s atmospheric French Quarter (it’s said to pre-date the one at New Orleans by at least 40 years!) The one-hour carriage tour ride will take you past stately historic mansions, parks, and churches. More culture awaits at the Old City Market - top attractions are the basket weavers and candy stores.

End your sojourn on a high note at the Bohicket Marina, nestled between Seabrook and Kiawah Islands. Diversions here are many - quirky dive shops, picnic areas, floating docks, and watersports. Grab yourself a seat at the Salty Dog Café - a 30-year-old institution where diners are treated to live music, seafood preparations, and jaw-dropping sunset views.