SC Picture Project » Kiawah Island

Vanderhorst Plantation

SCIWAY — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 17:49:15 +0000

Kiawah Island

SCIWAY — Thu, 15 May 2008 10:54:34 +0000

Kiawah Island is a private, residential resort located in Charleston County. The name Kiawah, pronounced KEE-a-wah, comes from the Kiawah Indians who once lived here. They were a subtribe of the Cusabos, a now extinct tribe that once inhabited South Carolina’s coast. Kiawah’s 10 miles of open beach and well developed dunes make it a safe haven for our state reptile the loggerhead sea turtle.

This image is copyrighted. You may not use it without written consent.

Since female loggerheads are easily distracted by sounds and lights when they come to the shore to lay their eggs, Kiawah’s private beach is a perfect place for them to go. It is very important to many residents of Kiawah to protect the sea turtle population, so all lights are turned off at night, even at the resort and golf courses. Kiawah Island averages 150 nests per season!

SCIWAY visitor Laura Beane, who honeymooned on Kiawah Island, describes her stay: “Kiawah Island is one of the most romantic places I have ever visited. The wildlife on the island is abundant. We were provided with a wildlife book upon our arrival and enjoyed identifying and learning about the wildlife that calls the South Carolina Lowcountry home.”

“South Carolina is a state rich with beauty and a compelling history. I highly recommend it as a vacation destination. We found this state to truly live up to its reputation for Southern Hospitality.”

Special thanks to Douglas Stewart of Johns Island, who captured this picture in April 2009.

Beachwalker Park

SCIWAY — Sun, 04 May 2008 10:54:34 +0000

Beachwalker County Park is the only public beach access on Kiawah Island. There are 11 miles of pristine, open beach at the park, and lifeguards are on duty seasonally to watch over swimmers. The park is a great place to spend the day with friends and family, offering unmatched ocean and river views. There are also restrooms, picnic areas with grills, outdoor showers, a seasonal snack bar, and boardwalk trails.

This image is copyrighted. You may not use it without written consent.

This photograph of Beachwalker Park, submitted by Melanie Thomas of Johns Island, won our SC Swimming Holes” photo contest in July 2009.

Melanie says “one of my favorite activities, and main form of exercise, is to bicycle to Charleston‘s Beachwalker County Park and bike on the beach. It is great exercise, wonderfully relaxing, and offers a chance to observe the ever-changing and beautiful coastline. On this particular evening I had rushed home after working at the Hollings Cancer Center, and hurried to the beach to catch the last minutes of daylight. The tides were extremely high this week due to the new moon. This beautiful view of the Kiawah River from Beachwalker Park forced me to slow down, focus on the moment, and appreciate my good fortune to be living in the SC Lowcountry.”

Learn more about the Beachwalker County Park here.

Kiawah Island Shrimp Boat

SCIWAY — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 10:54:34 +0000

Christian Hartsel of Johns Island took this photo on Kiawah Island in November 2008.

This image is copyrighted. You may not use it without written consent.

Christian writes: “The story goes that the captain was anchored when he went to sleep and woke up beached on Kiawah, about 75 feet from the dunes. I shot this picture the following morning, prior to the police setting up yellow caution tape. The Coast Guard and some heavy machinery pulled the boat back out to sea after it had been beached for almost a month.”

See more of Christian Hartsel’s pictures.