A friend of mine was getting married at Kiawah Island and Seabrook Island a few years ago and we thought, why not extend our trip and make a family vacation out of it?! We had never been to the area and had no idea what to expect but absolutely loved it! I grew up vacationing in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and there’s always been something special about the Carolinas!
If you are looking for a quiet, relaxing, and private destination, this area is for you! Seabrook Island is only 7 square miles long and is mostly residential properties, which makes it feel like one big neighborhood. You must be a resident or guest with a pass to enter and this gives it a very luxurious and exclusive feel. Despite the residential properties, there is still substantial green space and rich flora which makes you feel tucked away in your own private oasis.
We booked a villa through Seabrook Exclusives. With our rental, we also had access to the Seabrook Island Club amenities, which included two oceanfront community pools, fitness center, tennis and pickleball courts, two championship golf courses, Equestrian center and on-site dining. We spent most of our days at the beach, looking for crabs, fishing, playing in the sand and relaxing. The perfect getaway!
One of my absolute favorite parts of the trip was attempting to see the dolphins strand feeding. Strand feeding is a technique where a group of dolphins push their prey onto the shore before sliding back into the water. The best place to experience this is Captain Sam’s inlet and the dolphins are usually most active in the two hour window on either side of low tide. Be prepared to wait because it can take awhile! We waited about two hours and while the dolphins got close, we didn’t actually see them strand feed. You are able to watch from a distance but they ask you not to get too close and there is a volunteer there who monitors this and is also available for any questions! Warning: you have to walk a half mile to get to the location where they do it so make sure you are up for this challenge!
Kiawah Island is a little bigger at over 11 square miles and you may have heard of it because of the world-renowned Ocean Course. Kiawah Island is also gated and features lush forests and rich flora and fauna with a strong emphasis on preserving the natural habitats of the area. Kiawah Island also features private beaches with more oceanfront properties and memberships to the Governor’s Club and Private Kiawah Island Club. All Kiawah Island homeowners also have access to the Sandcastle Clubhouse through their HOA membership and amenities include oceanfront pools, dining experiences, workout facilities and more!
In between the two islands is Freshfields Village, which features a grocery store and several boutique shopping and dining options. We loved going up here to grab coffee and shop around in the mornings and out to dinner in the evenings. You can also visit Bohicket’s Marina to eat at the Salty Dog Cafe and grab ice cream after dinner! They have a great outdoor space on the water with games, live music and more!
Charleston is just 25 miles from the islands and makes for a great day trip! We happened to go on the hottest day of our entire trip and that was a little bit of a bust with littles! But I absolutely adore Charleston and wish we could have spent more time there. If you are looking for a change of scenery, make a drive into Charleston and experience the rich history, delicious food and bustling nightlife!
Overall, we loved visiting Kiawah Island and Seabrook Island. These vacation spots are definitely more attractive if you are looking for a slow-paced vacation; these islands are quiet and private and encompass luxury and resort living. We spent most of our days enjoying the scenery, relaxing on the beach or at the pool, and just enjoying each other’s company. Which is exactly what the doctor ordered!
Have you been to either of these islands? What are some of your favorite things about them?
Looking for more travel posts? Check these out:
7 things to do on a Nashville girls trip
A guide to visiting Salem, MA in the fall
Spring weekend getaway to Columbus, OH
View more HERE!
