Two rounds, two nights, and a carriage ride through Charleston. The condensed case for Kiawah Island.
3 Days
Long Weekend
$2000–$3500/person
2
Moderate
Two nights is not enough time to exhaust Kiawah Island's golf. It is, however, enough time to play the two courses that matter most and to understand why this barrier island occupies the position it does in American golf. The Ocean Course is the headliner, and it deserves that status.
Fly into Charleston International Airport (CHS), which receives direct service from most major East Coast cities and a growing number of hubs beyond. The drive to Kiawah Island takes 45 to 55 minutes and crosses Johns Island, where the landscape shifts from suburban sprawl to tidal marshland and live oaks.
Request the earliest available tee time at the Ocean Course. The wind builds through the day, and the morning light along the Atlantic coastline is worth the alarm.
Check out of Kiawah and drive to CHS, allowing 50 to 60 minutes for the trip and airport processing. For a late afternoon flight, the morning is free.
The Sanctuary ($328 to $1,200 per night) or Kiawah resort villas ($250 to $600 per night) serve as the base for both nights. A rental car is necessary: the airport, the resort, and Charleston are not connected by transit, and ride-share availability on Kiawah is limited. Kiawah is a gated community, and resort guests receive a gate pass upon booking. The ideal months for this trip are April through May and October through November, when temperatures sit in the 60s and 70s, the wind is present but not punishing, and the courses are at peak condition. March is the start of peak season, with azaleas in bloom and green fees at their highest. A weekday arrival can save $100 or more on the Ocean Course green fee compared to weekend rates.
$2000–$3500
per person
3 Days
2 nights
2
courses included