Snapshot of Kiawah
- Named for the Kiawah Indians who inhabited the island up to the 1700s
- deeded to George Raynor in 1699 by the Lord Proprietors
- has changed hands only four times since then
- the prominent Vanderhorst (pronounced “Vandrost”) family of Charleston kept the island for 180 years before selling it to C.C. Royal of Aiken, South Carolina in 1950 for hunting and fishing
- the Kiawah Island Company, Ltd. bought the island from the Royal family in 1974
- Kiawah Resort Associates bought the island in 1988 and is currently Kiawah's master developer
- Spring and summer midday temperatures in the 80s and 90s
- Fall temperatures in the 80s, 70s and 60s
- Winter temperatures in the 60s, 50s, sometimes 40s and occasionally 30s
- Visit our weather station!
KICA Members
- Over 4,000 properties owned including homes, lots, villas and cottages
- About 500 families make Kiawah their year-round home
- A total of about 7,000 members from all 50 states and numerous foreign countries
Marshes & Lakes
- Covers about 47 miles of shoreline along the 115 ponds and lakes on Kiawah Island. With roughly 6,000 acres of salt marsh that overlooks the Kiawah River, which connects with the Stono River and the Intercoastal Waterway.
- The tides serve as a source of life, bringing nutrients that sustain a vast microcosm of life among the peaceful waters.
- Thirty miles of marsh trails also set the stage for your private explorations.
Vegetation
- A maritime forest dominated by sprawling live oaks, which stand out in the lush tree canopy, flaunting their long limbs beneath a layer of Spanish moss.
- An array of palmettos, old pines, hickories, sea myrtles, sweet gum and magnolia in the sub canopy - red bay, sassafras, wax myrtle and yaupon holly in the lower under story
- Sea oats along the dune areas are sprinkled throughout the island.
Birds
- Some 300 species of birds, including osprey, sea gulls, hooded mergansers, terns, heron, hawks, egrets, owls, and our own nest of American Bald Eagles!
- 18 species of mammals, including whitetail deer, raccoon, squirrel, bobcat and opossum
- More than 30 species of reptiles and amphibians including alligators and sea turtles
- Kiawah's efforts to protect the Atlantic Loggerhead Sea Turtle received national acclaim several times since 1981. Kiawah’s environmental protection efforts also include KICA’s Land and Lakes Committee, the town’s Environmental Committee, and the Kiawah Management Conservancy Turtle Patrol, all manned or assisted by volunteers! These groups enhance and protect Kiawah’s wildlife and fish species and promote education, understanding and enjoyment of the natural environment on Kiawah Island.
- Opened in August 2004.
- Exquisite, luxurious, oceanfront hotel features 255 spacious guestrooms and suites, spectacular ocean views, a five-diamond star nature-themed luxury spa, 18,000 square feet of meeting space, three pools and several dining facilities such as The Ocean Room and Jasmine Porch and an array of specialty shops and galleries featuring distinctive items for nearly every taste.
- Features the West Beach Tennis Center with 16 courts and pro shop, villa and cottage accommodations, group meeting facilities, the Straw Market, the Cougar Point Golf Course and pro shop.
East Beach
- Features the 18 hole Turtle Point Golf Course and pro shop, the East Beach Tennis Center with 12 courts, an automated practice court and a pro shop
- The 21 acre Night Heron Park includes a special play area for small children, large playing fields, picnic sites, basketball hoops, bicycle rental shop, recreation pavilion, and the Night Heron Nature Center.