Kiawah Island, South Carolina Real Estate

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Just 21 miles south of historic Charleston, the privately gated beachfront resort community of Kiawah Island is a secluded retreat for nature lovers, sports enthusiasts and families. Golf fanatics and film buffs are likely to recognize Kiawah as the site of the 1991 Ryder Cup from its appearances in televised PGA tournaments or its supporting role in The Legend of Bagger Vance. Upscale dining and shopping, along with a wealth of family-friendly accommodations, make Kiawah Island and neighboring Johns Island, two of the Charleston area's best-kept secrets.

Kiawah has something for everyone.  Enjoy ten miles of flawless Atlantic Beach, five outstanding championship golf courses, two exceptional tennis centers, the private membership Kiawah Island Club, plus a full range of outdoor activities. And historic Charleston is just a short drive away.  Ten miles of beach, Ten thousand acres of maritime forest and tidal marsh; an unparalleled habitat for sea turtles, deer, fox, birds of many feather and even an alligator or two.

Reacreational opportunities are endless.  Kiawah has five award-winning championship golf courses including the Ocean Course, home of the 2007 Senior PGA and 2012 PGA Championships, offer challenging play for golfers of all levels.  Hard and clay courts are available at the #2 U.S. Tennis Resort in the U.S., as ranked by TENNIS magazine

A variety of recreational activities are sure to please everyone in your family. From kayaking, nature tours, bicycling to beach fun at the "Top Family Resort", as voted by T + L Family Magazine.  Luxury accommodations at the AAA Five Diamond Award-Winning oceanfront Sanctuary Hotel.  Award winning dining that includes the Ocean Room and Jasmine Porch, plus many other fares throughout the island that are sure to please.  

Kiawah Island also has a spectacular Beachwalker County Park which is a public beach access. The park offers a wide sandy front beach with a large designated swimming area, dressing areas, outdoor showers, restrooms, picnic area with grills, Snack bar (seasonal), beach chair & umbrella rentals. Lifeguards are on duty seasonally

If you are a history buff, Kiawah is also full of history. The island was named for the Kiawah (KEE-a-wah) Indians, who inhabited the island through the 1500s.  In 1699, Kiawah Island was granted to Captain George Raynor by Lords Proprietors under the auspices of King Charles II of England. Raynor was not interested in Kiawah so he sold half and willed the other half to his daughter, Mary. The entire island was then purchased by John Stanyarne in 1737. After his death the island was split between his two granddaughters, Mary Gibbes and Elizabeth Vanderhorst.

Over the next 130 years the island passed down through the families of the granddaughters until Adele Vanderhorst purchased the western half of the Kiawah for $3,500 in 1900.

Fifty years later, the Vanderhorst estate sold the island to C. C. Royal, a lumberman from Aiken, South Carolina, for $125,000. Over the next 24 years, Royal logged pine trees, built the causeway to Kiawah, developed Eugenia Avenue by selling oceanfront lots for $10,000 each, and put in east-to-west logging roads, the precursors to today's paved roads.

In 1974 Royal sold the island to the Kuwaiti Investment Corporation for $17 million. Development of the island began in earnest.

In 1988 Kiawah Resort Associates purchased the Kiawah from the Kuwaitis for $105 million, and sold the amenities for $35 million to Landmark. The amenities were later sold to Kiawah Island Golf Resort.

Also in 1988, the Town of Kiawah Island was incorporated.