Personal Injury Attorneyin Kiawah Island, SC.

A new retail destination with a larger Harris Teeter supermarket to serve residents of Kiawah, Seabrook and Johns islands is one step closer to becoming a reality.

The Charleston County Planning Commission voted 7-1 on Aug. 14 to recommend a land-use change from low-density residential to a planned development district for about 50 acres in the Andell West tract next to the Freshfields Village Shopping Center.

The proposal failed to move forward last October when the panel deadlocked 4-4 after questions were raised about the connectivity to Freshfields, the placement of the connections and the architectural blending of the new retail site with businesses in the neighboring center.

Freshfields is owned by Columbia-based Edens. It paid nearly $125 million for the property last year.

The new plan for the project off Kiawah Island Parkway clarifies the points of connection between the two retail sites, puts a 100-foot vegetated buffer between the road and the development and sets aside 20 percent of the land as open space.

Plans call for the existing Harris Teeter supermarket at Freshfields to move to the new location in a larger building of up to 65,000 square feet, according to Chris Corrada, a principal with the development firm Riverstone Properties LLC of Richmond, Va., which owns the 50-acre parcel.

The North Carolina-based grocer also would operate a gas station with seven fuel pumps on the site. A Harris Teeter representative did not immediately respond for comment.

The new retail center would measure about 160,000 square feet, including the grocery store. No other tenants have been lined up yet, and it could be several years before the entire project is completed, Corrada said.

A representative of Edens did not immediately respond for comment on its plans to backfill the grocery store site once it relocates, but Corrada noted the new supermarket probably won’t materialize until 2027 since the project still has hurdles to clear.

They include a public hearing on Sept. 12 and subsequent approvals by a County Council committee and the full council.

After that, the developer would initiate architectural plans and prepare the property, which has been used for parking during the two PGA Championships at the Ocean Course on Kiawah in 2012 and 2021.

Industrial and residential uses are not planned for the property, and the development would allow drive-thrus for a business such as a pharmacy, but not fast-food restaurants.

Several residents told the Planning Commission they favored the project. No one spoke against it.

Warren Lasch, president of Cassique Homeowners Association on Kiawah, had concerns about the proposed development last year. He said he supports the revised plan, saying it no longer appeared as a competing retail site with Freshfields.

“It will be a seamless experience,” he said. “It will complement the existing charm and appeal of Freshfields Village.”

The town of Kiawah Island, which includes the neighboring Freshfields Village and the parkway, also is in favor of the new venture.

“We extend our support for this venture and believe it will positively impact Kiawah and its community members,” Mayor John Labriola wrote in a letter to the county.

A public hearing on the project is set for Sept. 12.

Nestled between the incredible beaches of South Carolina lies a true gem of Kiawah Island, known for its stunning beaches, world-class golf courses, and abundant wildlife. However, beyond its natural beauty and luxurious amenities, this charming island offers numerous activities and experiences that will make the trip even more memorable. From exploring the island's rich history to indulging in local cuisine, the article lists some of the best things to do in Kiawah Island, South Carolina, to make one's trip to this stunning spot all the more memorable.

Enjoy The Serenity At Kiawah Beachwalker Park

Located on the western end of Kiawah Island, Kiawah Beachwalker Park is a public beach and one of the many popular and magical island getaways in the US, thanks to its pristine white sand shoreline and all-year-round recreational activities. The park features outdoor showers, picnic areas, and a beautiful boardwalk with an observation deck offering incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean. Additionally, the park is a popular spot to enjoy sunbathing, beachcombing, birdwatching, swimming, and playing volleyball at the beach.

9 Take A Bike Ride On The Beautiful Trails Of Kiawah Island

With over 30 miles of paved bike trails and countless scenic beaches, biking is a great way to explore the island's natural beauty and unique ecology. Tourists can rent a bike from several places on the island to ride through the beautiful trails winding through the island's beautiful parks and golf courses with incredible views of the beach and island skyline. The most popular biking routes on the island include the Marsh View Trail, Beachwalker Park Trail, Night Heron Park trail, and Ocean Course Loop, offering visitors a glimpse of the island's beautiful landscape.

Play Golf At Kiawah Island Golf Resort

Located on Kiawah Island, Kiawah Island Golf Club is a world-renowned golf resort known for its five championship golf courses, namely the Ocean Course, Turtle Point, Osprey Point, Oak Point, and Cougar Point. Besides the beautiful golf courses, the resort has several other amenities for visitors, including a pro shop, practice facilities, and various dining options serving delicious local and continental cuisines. Guests can also enjoy various recreational activities while taking nature tours around the resort to explore the island's natural beauty.

Related: 10 Reasons South Carolina Should Be Your Next Travel Destination

Go Fishing At Mingo Point

Mingo Point is a popular fishing point and outdoor event venue on Kiawah Island, South Carolina, featuring beautiful views of the scenic marshes, surrounded by tall grass and live oak trees, with gleaming waters of the Kiawah River. During summer, Mingo Point hosts weekly events, such as oyster roasts, barbecues, and live music performances, offering a variety of outdoor activities, including fishing, crabbing, and kayaking. The venue also has an outdoor restaurant that serves classic Lowcountry cuisine for guests to enjoy scrumptious meals under the shade of lush green trees, overlooking the stagnant waters of the river.

6 Kayak Through The Waters Of Kiawah Island

Kayaking is a popular and enjoyable activity in watersports on Kiawah island for visitors of all ages. There are several kayaking tour companies and rentals on Kiawah island, offering visitors a unique perspective on the area's abundant wildlife and stunning scenery. The popular kayaking destinations on the island include the Kiawah River, the Stono River, Bohicket Creek, and Folly Beach (which is beautiful in the fall), winding its way through marshes and creeks, offering an opportunity to see dolphins, sea turtles, and a variety of bird species, including, pelicans, egrets, and ospreys.

5 Take A Sunset Cruise Around Kiawah Island

Taking a sunset cruise from Kiawah Island is one of the best ways to experience the island's natural beauty while soaking in the breathtaking views of the sunset and local wildlife on the coast of South Carolina, including various seabirds and marine animals such as sea turtles and dolphins. During the cruise, the guests can relax and enjoy the stunning scenery while sipping a drink with light snacks. Some companies even offer dinner or dessert cruises, allowing passengers to enjoy a full meal while relaxing with the incredible sunset vistas.

Related: 10 Awesome Things That You Can Do In South Carolina

4 Explore Kiawah Island History At Rockville Historic District

Located on the southern end of Wadmalaw Island, just a few minutes' drive from Kiawah Island, Rockville Historic District is one of the well-preserved and beautiful 19th-century towns in South Carolina. Established in the 1800s, the district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, giving visitors a glimpse into the early life of the inhabitants of the region. Some of the main attractions in the district include the Rockville Presbyterian Church and the Toogoodoo Plantation House, and the Rockville Center, a popular spot for visitors to purchase local goods and souvenirs.

3 Experience The Luxury Spa At The Sanctuary Kiawah Island

The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort features a luxurious spa offering a wide range of treatments and services designed to help guests relax and rejuvenate, making the vacation even more memorable. The spa facility has a serene and relaxing ambiance featuring various treatment rooms, a couple's suite, a relaxation room, a sauna facility, and whirlpools. The spa offers various services, including facials, body treatments, and other salon treatments, for the visitors to enjoy a luxurious and relaxing retreat after a tiring sightseeing seeing session at Kiawah island.

2 Discover The Local Food Scene At Freshfield Village

Freshfields Village is a shopping and dining destination on Kiawah Island, South Carolina, offering a diverse food scene. The place is a pedestrian-friendly, open-air district offering a variety of upscale restaurants and casual eateries, including Ladles Soups and King Street Grille, and Obstinate Daughter. Visitors can also enjoy a number of other activities, including live music, concert holiday celebrations, and seasonal festivals taking place throughout the year.

Related: These Waterfalls In South Carolina Are Some Of The Most Stunning

1 Explore The Incredible Salt Marshes Of Kiawah At Marsh Island Park

Marsh Island Park is a small island on the Kiawah River, accessible only by boat or kayak, featuring a boardwalk and hiking trails winding through the island's natural marshland and forested areas. The highlight of the park is a wooden lookout tower offering panoramic views of the beautiful salt marshes and surrounding landscape. Visitors to the park can enjoy birdwatching, fishing, crabbing, and other outdoor activities with various picnic tables and benches to relax and enjoy the scenic views, making for a peaceful spot for nature lovers and enthusiasts.

One of South Carolina's favorite spots along the coast has been ranked among the top 10 beaches in the country.

Kiawah Island's Beachwalker Park in Charleston County is listed as No. 8 on the 2023 list of best U.S. beaches released this week by “Dr. Beach,” aka coastal scientist Stephen Leatherman.

(Above video is the Friday morning headlines.)

The pristine beach is on the west end of Kiawah Island, and gives visitors ocean and river views, according to the Charleston County Parks website.

Charleston County Parks

Beachwalker is also the only public beach access on Kiawah Island, which is a 45-minute drive south of Charleston between Folly and Edisto beaches.

The park is operated through a cooperative agreement among Kiawah Development Partners, Charleston County Council, and the Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission.

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North Carolina's Lighthouse Beach, in Buxton on the Outer Banks, came in at No. 5 on the list.

Located along Highway 12, Lighthouse Beach is about a six-hour drive from Myrtle Beach.

National Parks Service

Once the site of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the beach is convenient and renowned for its good shelling and great waves, according to the National Parks Service.

Florida’s St. George Island State Park earned the top slot on the best beach list.

The barrier island park offers nine miles of pristine beaches along the Gulf Coast.

With nature trails for biking and hiking, plus birding, fishing, boating and camping, St. George offers excellent swimming and sunbathing and is also a prime spot for stargazing with limited light pollution, the list says.

Leatherman has been ranking America’s best beaches since 1991.

He uses 50 criteria to evaluate hundreds of public beaches in the United States. The criteria include beach width, sand softness, water temperature and color, wildlife and more.

Half of the top 10 beaches in the United States for 2023 are in Florida and Hawaii.

None of Florida’s Atlantic beaches appear in the 2023 top 10; Leatherman pointed out that the Atlantic coastline is being affected this year by sargassum seaweed.

Top 10 U.S. Beaches for 2023

Just 25 miles from downtown Charleston, Kiawah and Seabrook islands are the destinations for anyone looking to escape the bustle of the city.

These islands offer so much more than beautiful beaches. They have sports, spas, top restaurants and amazing shopping.

We’ve compiled a guide for tourists and locals drawn to the islands’ natural beauty. Whether you like fine dining or a relaxed day on the golf course or the beach, we have a guide for you.

Explore

The two barrier islands each offer world-class golf courses that have been featured in major sporting events. Anyone looking to live out their professional golf fantasy can find a home at Kiawah Island Golf Resort’s Ocean Course. The resort has twice hosted the PGA Golf Championship, in 2012 and in 2021.

The resort renovated all of its courses in preparation for the 2021 tournament which brought thousands of fans to the island.

Those looking for a golf membership should also consider the Seabrook Island Club. The club’s two courses, Ocean Winds and Crooked Oaks, are open to members, group outings and events.

The two islands aren’t just for golfers; they also feature world-class beaches. Kiawah alone has 10 miles of beaches. The Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission operates Beachwalker County Park, the only beach on the island open to the public.

Seabrook’s Pelican and North beaches also offer views of the sunset and sunrise, although they are not open to the public. The rest of Kiawah’s beaches are privately owned, so those looking for a longer stay should consider all-access options.

The islands are also a great place to explore Lowcountry wildlife. Those looking to get up close to dolphins should visit the northernmost tip of North Beach during low tide at Seabrook or Captain Sam’s Inlet on Kiawah. Bottlenose dolphins are known to strand-feed there — a technique the dolphins used to trap fish and drive them onto sandbars and shorelines.

Kiawah’s brackish and freshwater ponds are also home to alligators throughout the island. They can be seen lying on pond edges, basking in the sun.

The islands also serve as nesting grounds for sea turtles. From mid-May through early August, female turtles come ashore to lay anywhere from 100 to 150 eggs in nests they dig in the sand. Island patrol members and wildlife officials work to protect the nests from human interference throughout the season.

Shopping

Interested in shopping? All Kiawah visitors need to do is travel to Freshfields Village near the island’s entrance.

It has a plethora of high-end clothing chains such as Lilly Pulitzer, Vineyard Vines and Johnny Was. It also has boutiques such as Signature Oak, SHOWROOM and Holly & Brooks.

There are shops offering apparel and wares for both men and women, including Southern Tide, and stores for outdoor enthusiasts, such as SeaCoast Sports and Outfitters.

Seabrook also offers many shopping options for visitors. Seabrook Shoppe offers an array of souvenirs.

Eat and drink like a local

The islands have restaurants for every type of foodie.

Kiawah offers high-end fare such as Jasmine Porch and The Ocean Room at the Sanctuary hotel.

People can also visit Beaches & Cream for coffee and dessert or grab Italian food at Tomasso at Turtle Point.

The island also offers more casual eateries like La Tela Pizzeria, Fuji Sushi Bar & Grill for Japanese lovers, and Cantina 76 for Mexican fans.

Seabrook boasts relaxed food like McCann’s Irish Pub and Kiss Cafe.

There are 34 islands off the coast of South Carolina, including six major landforms. This well-known chain of islands is famous for its rich history, breathtaking views, and abundant activities. In this southern state, visitors can find everything from popular resort islands to small, secluded paradises. Check out this list of the five must-visit islands in South Carolina, including things to do, where to stay, and what to eat.

1. Hilton Head Island

Part of the Lowcountry region, Hilton Head Island is just north of the Georgia border and about a two-hour drive south of Charleston. This resort island is known for its laidback, family-friendly atmosphere, featuring spectacular beaches, golf courses, and abundant wildlife. And it has a small-town charm with plenty of delicious food and comfortable lodging options. Hilton Head is 12 miles long and five miles wide and contains more than 100 miles of walking and biking trails. You can get to the island via car, boat, or plane.

Things to do and see: Coligny Beach Park, Harbour Town Lighthouse, Coastal Discovery Museum, Sea Pines Forest Preserve, Folly Field Beach Park, Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina, Burkes Beach, Stoney Baynard Ruins

Where to stay: Sonesta Resort (sleek 4-star lodge), Beach House Resort (casual 3-star beachfront hotel)

Where to eat: Hudon’s Seafood House on the Docks (downhome fish eatery on the water), Old Oyster Factory (seafood restaurant with scenic views)

2. Folly Island

This barrier island is near Charleston and features some of the best beaches in the area. Folly Island is 12 square miles of endless things to do, see, and eat. And it’s only a few minutes’ drive from Charleston’s historic downtown area. This charming beach community features shopping, restaurants, outdoor activities, and stylish waterfront resorts. And its scenic beach features a famous 1,000-foot fishing pier, where you can stroll and take pictures way out in the water.

Things to do and see: Folly Beach County Park, Morris Island Lighthouse, Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve, Folly Beach Pier, boat and sea kayak tours, Graffiti Boat

Where to stay: Tides Folly Beach (3-star beachfront hotel with scenic dining), Beachside Boutique Inn (whimsical inn near the beach)

Where to eat: Rita’s Seaside Grill (traditional American food with live music), The Crab Shack (casual local seafood)

3. Edisto Island

Edisto is a hidden sea island just south of Charleston but north of Hilton Head. It’s in Lowcountry and features a rich history and unique experience. Despite its secluded location, Edisto Island is a popular beach getaway. Edisto Beach is 4.5 miles. You can swim, lounge on the beach, and go shelling.

Things to do and see: Edisto Beach State Park, Edisto Island Serpentarium, Botany Bay Heritage Preserve, King’s Farm Market, Boat tours, fishing, watersports, golfing, Edisto Island Historic Preservation

Where to stay: Wyndham Ocean Ridge (laidback all-villa resort with multiple pools)

Where to eat: Seacow Eatery (all-day diner with a focus on seafood), The Waterfront Restaurant (nautical-themed diner with seafood and steaks)

4. Kiawah Island

Located 25 miles southwest of Charleston, Kiawah Island is a primarily private community with a lush resort, golf courses, restaurants, and shopping. Visitors can check out the beachfront park and walk or bike to shops and restaurants. But some parts of the island are only accessible to residents or those with reservations for golf or dinner. You can also get a renter’s pass if you book a stay at one of the condos or villas.

Things to do and see: Kiawah Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Turtle Point Golf Resort, Night Heron Park, Cougar Point Golf Course, kayaking, fishing, biking

Where to stay: The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort (luxury 5-star beachfront resort), rent a private condo

Where to eat: Jasmine Porch at The Sanctuary (elegant Southern dining at the resort), The Ocean Room (steakhouse and sushi lounge)

5. Sullivan’s Island

This town and island are in Charleston County, north of Folly Island. This charming community features award-winning restaurants and beautiful beaches. Visitors can enjoy the warm water at the mouth of Charleston Harbor, where you can swim and participate in watersports. Even though this island is only two and a half miles long, there is plenty to do.

Things to do and see: Fort Moultrie National Park, Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse, Fort Sumter National Monument, Thomson Park, Sullivan’s Island Beach, Shem Creek Park, Sullivan’s Island Nature Trail

Where to stay: There are no hotels on the island, but you can stay in nearby Charleston.

Where to eat: Poe’s Tavern (Literary-themed bar with American food), The Obstinate Daughter (eclectic menu and brews)

Must-Visit Islands in South Carolina: A Recap of the Top 5