About Kiawah Island: Bride’s Magazine named the Charleston area, highlighting Kiawah Island, as one of the world’s best post-wedding destinations for honeymooning couples. Kiawah Island is also rated as having the "Second Most Romantic Beach in America" by National Geographic Traveler. Kiawah Island is unique among the barrier islands, unlike Hilton Head or Myrtle Beach, commercial development is virtually non-existent. This island was meticulously planned to be environmentally sound and very relaxing. A semi-tropical climate hosts alligators (often seen basking in the sun on the banks of Kiawah's many lagoons), sea turtles, bobcats and some very friendly dolphins. Along with over 40 miles of bike trails, there are five world-class golf courses, several tennis courts, and 10 miles of the most beautiful beach on the Altantic Coast! Other activities available on Kiawah Island include boating, sailing, surfing, parasailing, canoeing, kayaking, shelling, fishing, sightseeing and plenty of wildlife viewing.

Beachwalker County Park: The county park off Kiawah has restrooms, public parking and lifeguards. The boardwalk leading out to the beach is a beautiful walk. Kiawah Island is a privately owned 5-star resort. Access by guests is limited.Note: Worth your time - be sure to stop by the Angel Oak tree - it is the oldest living tree east of the Mississippi - you will drive past it once you turn left onto Bohicket near the Piggly Wiggly shopping center - watch for signs on your right.

Directions: Approximately 30 minutes from downtown Charleston. Directions from downtown: Drive west down Broad Street for approximately 1 mile until you pass Colonial Lake on your right. At this point Broad Street will turn into Lockwood Drive. Continue on Lockwood and take the Hwy. 30 connector (a large bridge) over the Ashley River Bridge leading toward Folly Beach. At the end of Hwy. 30 turn right onto Folly Road. Travel north on Folly Road until you reach a large intersection with Nations Bank on the left.  Turn left onto Maybank Highway. You will continue on Maybank Highway for approximately twenty minutes and will come to a large Piggly Wiggly shopping center on your left at the intersection of Maybank and Bohicket.  At this light turn left onto Bohicket Road which will lead you to Kiawah after about 14 miles. Turn left from Bohicket onto the Kiawah Island Parkway.  Just before the guardhouse to Kiawah, turn right and follow the road to the end.  There you will find Beachwalker State Park (843) 768-2395.

Leash Laws: From March 15 to October 31, pets must be on a leash on the beach, between the areas of Beachwalker County Park and the Beach Club. At other times of the year pets must either be leashed or under voice command. “Under control” means in close proximity (within 20 yards) and able to be brought to immediate heel by voice command. Animals running loose may be turned over to Charleston County Animal Control. Clean up after pets and properly dispose of waste in trash receptacles on all areas of the island including the beach.

Photos: The Kiawah Island Beach, seen from the top of the Shipwatch Building. Biking on the beach. Fishing from the Kiawah lagoons. Kiawah Island Beach Basking.