This eco-sensitive private residential and resort community sprawls across 10,000 acres located 21 miles south of Charleston. Named for the Kiawah Indians who inhabited the islands in the 17th century, it today consists of two resort villages: East Beach and West Beach. The community fronts a lovely 10-mile stretch of Atlantic beach; magnolias, live oaks, pine forests, and acres of marsh characterize the island.

Kiawah boasts many challenging golf courses, including one designed by Jack Nicklaus at Turtle Point that Golf Digest has rated among the top 10 courses in South Carolina. Golf architect Pete Dye designed a 2 1/2-mile oceanfront course to host the 1991 PGA Ryder Cup match. Tennis magazine rates Kiawah as one of the nation's top tennis resorts, with its 28 hard-surface and Har-Tru clay courts. Anglers are also attracted to the island, especially in spring and fall.