April 12th, 2024

Family Fun Beyond the Fairway: Activities for Non-Golfers on Kiawah Island

Golf Travel Ideas, South Carolina, Kiawah Island Resort

Undoubtedly, golf is a major Kiawah Island attraction, as this picturesque and secluded destination is home to five championship courses designed by iconic architects such as Pete Dye and Gary Player. However, while the significance of golf can't be denied when we're talking about Kiawah Island, this place has a lot more to offer to visitors in terms of family activities. So, if you're going to South Carolina as someone who doesn't enjoy golf, you'll have plenty of things to choose from, including bike rentals, fishing, nature tours, and water sports. If you want more details about some of the family activities you can engage in on Kiawah Island, keep reading.

Bike Rentals

Since it's famous for its natural beauty and abundant wildlife, Kiawah Island is definitely worth exploring at a slow pace. What better way to do this than renting a bike? You can discover secret spots for solitude and wildlife viewing with your family, which can also give you the chance to spend quality time together and have a bonding experience. Kiawah Island offers 30 miles of paved leisure trails and 10 miles of hard-packed beach for bikes.

You can rent a bike at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, which has two convenient locations for walk-up service, specifically The West Beach Bike Shop and The Sanctuary Bike Pavilion, offering rentals from half-day to monthly. Currently, the cost of renting a bike, tow cart, or tag-a-long for 24 hours is $30.

Fishing

Kiawah Island is a real angler's getaway. Fishing there is a serene escape promising some of the most sought-after species. A world away from city life, the island offers you a chance to connect with nature, whether by casting a line or soaking in the beautiful surroundings. The variety of fish species on Kiawah Island isn't just vast but also diverse. It has a range of both fresh and saltwater creatures. If you choose fishing as a family activity, you might catch one or more of the following:

Spotted seatrout
Redfish
Billfish
Flounder
Largemouth bass
Black seabass

The Kiawah River winds around the island, nurturing multiple saltwater fish species. You and your loved ones can spend the day navigating its channels, casting lines for Southern Flounder, Black Drum, and Redfish. Furthermore, the marshlands present a unique challenge for fly fishing aficionados, especially those targeting Redfish. Offshore fishing is another option you can choose, as venturing between 20 and 50 miles from Kiawah Island's shores will lead you to some of South Carolina's prime sportfishing territories.

Nature Tours

Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and marshes, Kiawah Island has lush maritime forests, water ponds, and picturesque dunes. Exploring this habitat will give you the opportunity to observe the impressive variety of flora and fauna on this pristine barrier island. During your stay at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, you have the chance to tour the island with their staff, who will open your eyes to the nature of this superb destination. The resort offers the following and much more:

Alligator Adventure: search for Kiawah's biggest gators and learn about these amazing predators
Back Island Birding: with over 220 species of birds, Kiawah is a birder's paradise
Dolphin Encounters: search Kiawah's inlets, creeks, and marshes for Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin
Bird Walk at the Ocean Course: freshwater ponds, salt marshes, and the beach create a diverse habitat for shorebirds, wading birds, and songbirds
Shelling Expedition: South Carolina's rich ecosystem provides a variety of unique marine mollusks that leave behind a legacy of beautiful shells

Kayaking

If you're an independent adventurer, marsh kayaking gives you the freedom you're looking for. The tour will lead you through the creeks to reveal what curiosities the marsh has to offer. It is also geared toward people who are looking to get a little exercise. At Kiawah Island Golf Resort, tandem and single boats for kayaking are available. While single participants must be 14 years or older, participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. For safety reasons, previous kayaking experience is strongly recommended. To enjoy this family activity for two hours, you'll have to pay $50 for a single kayak and $70 for a tandem kayak.

Are you planning a golf vacation with your family to this awesome destination? If so, check out two of our best Kiawah Island golf packages below!

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