Vacations will look a little different in the age of social distancing—but different isn’t always bad.

We’re yet to see the full picture of what summer on Kiawah Island will look like. But no matter the outcome, we already know that a socially distanced stay is possible here. In fact, escaping the crowds to bask in nature and spend time by the sea is one of the main reasons guests have always spent their vacations on Kiawah.

So if you’re looking for a change of scenery as you socially distance, here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy the island in solitude.

Take a nature stroll.

Walk along the tideline while collecting seashells (and keep an eye on the dunes to spot Kiawah’s resident deer herd!). Climb the towers to look out over marshland and beyond. Or visit Allee of the Oaks and wander from the Vanderhorst Mansion through the woods to arrive on the beach.

Whether it’s a sunrise walk by the tide or a sunset stroll at Bohicket Marina, opportunities abound to enjoy nature’s beauty on Kiawah Island while keeping your distance from others.

Go for a bike ride.

Set out for an afternoon of wind-in-your-hair solitude. Miles upon miles of bike trails exist on Kiawah Island, and its 10 miles of hard packed sand beach can be biked from end to end.

Choose from dozens of worthy destinations to stop for a moment of rest. Take a break at Captain Sam’s Inlet, where if you’re lucky you’ll glimpse dolphins fishing in the surf. Pack a picnic and enjoy lunch with a view at Rhett’s Bluff, which overlooks the marsh and Bass Pond. Or pedal to Bohicket Marina to watch the boats drift by.

Paddle out on the Kiawah River.

Launch a kayak at Mingo Point and spend a day paddling along the Kiawah River, spotting waterfowl in the marsh grass or maybe even dolphins darting past in the waters. Twilight is an especially magical time to go for a paddle—witness the sun dip below the horizon as nighttime silence gradually settles over the river and marsh.

Hit the green.

Grab your clubs! With five golf courses, it’s a safe bet you’ll be able to find some distance if you opt for a morning or afternoon on the green. Choose from courses shaded by dense maritime forests or perched atop rolling sand dunes. Don’t miss the opportunity to play the PGA Championship Ocean Course—it’s a Kiawah golfer rite of passage. And if you want an even more exclusive experience, two private courses are open to Kiawah Island Club Members.

Relax with a view.

When you book an oceanfront or scenic view vacation rental, you don’t even need to leave your accommodations to enjoy Kiawah Island. Spend a whole day there blissfully distanced: watch the sun rise over the ocean, bring a vacation read out to the balcony to enjoy while feeling the coastal breezes or listening to birdsong, and order curbside pickup for a fresh and local stay-at-home dinner.

Start planning your trip by browsing our selection of luxury Kiawah Island rentals with a view—and rest assured that you’re making the right decision with our stress-free cancellation policy.