Kiawah offers 10 miles of pristine beach. The sand is hard-packed so you’ll often find families biking down the beach in the direction of the wind. Unlike in Beachwalker Park, there are no life guards, no outdoor grills and very few handicap ramps. Bathroom facilities can be found at the Straw Market and at the boardwalk access between Windswept and Mariners Watch.
Single speed bikes, made for the beach elements, are easy to rent for the day or for the week. To see the very best that Kiawah has to offer, bike to the east end of the beach. Plan your ride for morning or late afternoon, when the tide is going out and the wind isn’t too tough to bike with. Near the end of the island, the sand gets soft so it is best to park your bikes and continue on foot. Near the end of the island you can see different types of wildlife – many different types of birds and fish. Cool your feet in the creeks. Herd small minnows as you walk, squeeze pluff mud through your toes and experience different textures of sand through your toes. This is also a good spot to collect a sand dollars and to see what the surf has retrieved from the ocean. At the very end you should be able to spot a sandbar full of Brown Pelicans. Allow roughly 3 hours and be sure to bring sunscreen and water.
From March through October, you can rent full-service beach chairs and umbrellas to make your time on the beach even more relaxing.
