Kiawah Island Nature

Learn about Logger Head Turtles - Turtle nesting runs from mid May until mid August. The hatching runs from mid July until the end of October. The Kiawah Beach Patrol locate and mark the turtle nests on the beach.

Visit the Nature Center - Open daily at 8:30am, the Heron Park Nature Center is located centrally in the Night Heron Park adjacent to the pool and the Night Heron Pavilion. The Nature Center is the heart of the Resort’s Nature Program and is a great first stop to get information about the various activities, or to make reservations for nature tours and programs.Inside the Heron Park Nature Center, you will find exhibits of the local wildlife, interactive displays and information about the ecosystems that comprise Kiawah Island. Resort Naturalists and staff are on hand to answer any questions you may have and help direct you to Kiawah’s nature hot spots.

Check Out Some Terrific Views of the Island from Towers. There are two really neat towers on the island that overlook the marsh. Marsh View Tower (I've located this on the map in the villas), is located at the end of Marsh Hawk Lane - it is fairly close to the villas. It overlooks the Cougar Point golf course and the marsh - also, if you look off into the distance, you can see the Kiawah Island bridge, the only car access to the island.

The second tower, the Marsh Island tower, is located in Vanderhorst Plantation, behind the second gate, off Governor's Drive, just past Persimmon Court. You can access this by bike. Marsh Island is a really neat little nature park,. It has a nice boardwalk over the marsh that takes you to the island and the tower. I enjoy taking a picnic to this tower - a great place to pause and reflect.

Tour the Nature Paths at the East End of the Island at Cinder Creek, by walking or with a bike. Check your villa map for location.

View Vanderhorst Plantation - Located off Governor's Drive, in Vanderhorst plantation (this is located just past the second gate - you can bike into Vanderhorst, but you cannot drive into), this old house was originally the home of one of South Carolina's first governors. The plantation house was recently reclaimed and is now houses several townhouses behind a gate. If no cars are there, you can slip your bike past the gate and tour the area.

Next you'll want to walk or bike down the Allee of the Oaks. This is the path that the Vanderhorst used to reach the beach - it is a straight path that leads you straight from the Vanderhorst House, through the Kiawah Island woods, to the beach - be sure to stop and read the plaque that tells you more about it.

View Egret's Nesting Ground (Rookery) - This is a terrific place to watch the Egrets roost - there are normally several dozen of the graceful white bird perched in the trees right over the lagoon. Located at the west end of Sea Marsh Drive - check your villa map for location.

Enjoy a Mingo Point Party - These parties are held at Mingo Point Island every week during the summer. They normally have oyster roasts, BBQ, rice, tea - and all the fixin's for a wonderful Lowcountry cookout. Mingo Point is located just between the Kiawah Island bridge and the first guard house. It is a very special place to enjoy the sunset, dance to the music and watch the kids blow bubbles. Not cheap, but well worth fun - $27.95/adult and $10.95/children 6-12.

Go Canoeing and Kayaking - A neat way to tour the island - from the water! During the summer, you can join the group and canoe or Kayak the Marsh Creek. In April and May, they also offer family kayaking.

Visit the Shoolbred Gravesites - Bike up to the Rhett's Bluff Area and while your there, be sure to look for two historic gravesites of the Shoolbred family. The area also has a wonderful boat dock off the Kiawah Island River - perfect for fishing - and a very nice gazebo - perfect for a picnic. Also, ride to the end of the street and view the lovely homes on either side of the street - my favorite is the house at the end on the right-hand side - very elegantly designed and landscaped.

Enjoy one of Kiawah's Weekly Festivals in Night Heron Park - Offering live entertainment, children's face painting, a jump castle and lots of hotdogs, hamburgers and grilled chicken sandwiches - come join the fun!