This tranquil island southwest of Charleston puts nature first, rigorously protecting its beaches, marshland, and forests. That means you might encounter a whitetail deer as you walk under the canopies of live oak trees in the island’s forest, or catch the flash of a snowy egret as you kayak through a marsh. Sea turtle and bottlenose dolphin sightings are common along the 10 miles of sandy beaches. Kiawah Island is a favorite getaway for golfers, too, its championship golf courses considered some of the best (and most picturesque) in the country. Visitors should note that the island, which is a gated community, prizes its peace and quiet: There’s a nighttime noise ordinance, and many areas can be reached on foot or by bike rather than car.

Many major airlines fly direct into the nearest airport, Charleston International Airport (CHS). It’s best to rent a car at the airport to make the roughly hour-long drive to Kiawah; taxis are expensive and not all rideshare operators have permits to enter the island. There’s also Charleston Executive Airport (JZI), just 17 miles from the island, for those arriving by private jet.

Spring and summer are the most popular times to visit Kiawah Island, but the weather stays mild year-round. In spring, temperatures range from the mid-50s to the mid-70s Fahrenheit. The summer months warm to prime beach weather, in the 80s. Summer can get muggy, though there’s an oceanfront breeze, and passing thunderstorms are common in the afternoons. Starting in October, temperatures start to cool down, though daytime temperatures rarely get below 60 degrees, even in January. Fall and winter are generally dry.

Beachwalker Park

Not every stretch of coast is open to visitors—some parts are accessible only to homeowners and their guests—but the public beach, Beachwalker Park, is one of the island’s best anyway. There, you’ll find calm waters and just enough amenities—beach gear rentals, a snack stand—to make a day of it. Just remember not to disturb the sea turtle eggs you may spy on the shore (Kiawah is a prime spot for loggerhead turtles in summer).

Captain Sam’s Inlet

At this inlet between Kiawah and neighboring Seabrook Island, you can watch bottlenose dolphins as they herd fish up onto the sandbar and then toss themselves up there to eat, a rare behavior known as strand feeding. Visit just before or after low tide to spot them.

Golfing

The island has twice hosted the PGA Championship, and when you step out onto one of the five public courses, it’s easy to see why. The fairways are designed by big famous golfers to play off the area’s seascape to spectacular effect.

Night Heron Park

This is the island’s main destination for getting to know the resident wildlife. Start off at the interactive nature center, where you can learn about the local snakes, turtles, and gators, before heading off on the 30 miles of trails through the forest.