Pest Control in Kiawah Island, SC

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You’ve already been charmed by Charleston, maybe even made the trip to some of South Carolina’s best small towns like Bluffton, Georgetown⁠ and Mount Pleasant. But there’s a lot more awesomeness waiting to be discovered in the Palmetto State…or, shall we say, just off the coast. South Carolina has some really incredible isles that are perfect for vacation, whether you’re intrigued by pirate lore, love exploring salt marshes, fancy a birdwatching holiday or just need a stress-free escape where wild horses run free. Here, the best South Carolina islands and where to stay on each one.

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1. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

One of South Carolina’s most popular tourist destinations for a plethora of reasons, Hilton Head Island offers an incredible mix of natural wonder, upscale delights and outdoor activities. You can book whale watching and dolphin spotting boat charters, hit the links, go cycling, hiking and kayaking, play tennis and polo, do some shopping, snap pics in front of the red-and-white-striped Harbour Town Lighthouse and, of course, catch some rays on the beach.

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2. Daufuskie Island, South Carolina

No doubt you’ve heard of Hilton Head Island and Savannah in the neighboring state of Georgia. Sitting just off the coast between these well-known vacation destinations is a tiny hidden gem called Daufuskie Island with a population of just 500 residents. There aren’t hotels or big-name attractions. Instead, it's a place of peace, quiet and magical natural wonders—bottlenose dolphins bob in the waters and loggerhead turtles nest on the shore.

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3. Kiawah Island, South Carolina

In terms of true vacation destinations, Kiawah Island is a hole-in-one. It has a huge gated luxury beach and golf resort with loads of swish accommodation and amenities like world-class fairways. You don’t need to be a guest to explore the island, which is open to the public. Daytrippers from Charleston often drive over to enjoy the sandy beaches, hiking and biking trails, tours at Heron Park Nature Center and Marsh Island Park.

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4. Capers Island, South Carolina

A pretty, undeveloped barrier island oasis, Capers Island is the perfect spot for a family vacation. Beaches, maritime uplands and salt marshes provide the perfect backdrop for outdoor adventure. It’s excellent for birdwatching and wildlife peeping. Be sure to bring your camera to the eye-catching “boneyard beach” where old tree stumps dot the sandy expanse. Bonus: accessibility from Charleston means no long travel days with the kiddos.

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5. Deveaux Bank, South Carolina

By now you’ve likely gathered that birding is a big deal in South Carolina. Deveaux Bank, a horseshoe-shaped spit of sand at the mouth of the North Edisto River estuary, takes it to the next level as the island actually encompasses a 215-acre sanctuary that’s a protected nesting habitat for many sea and shorebirds. If you’re keen to see eastern brown pelicans and black skimmers, hightail it over to Deveaux Bank.

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6. Seabrook Island, South Carolina

Seabrook Island is a downright dreamy place to live or visit. A lot of people choose to reside in this private, oceanfront community. That’s because it’s pretty as a picture with natural beauty galore, nationally recognized birdwatching, two award-winning golf courses, near-empty beaches, a racquet club, an equestrian center and stunning houses we’d happily call home. And the fact that it’s just a few miles from downtown Charleston yet retains a sense of seclusion definitely helps, too.

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7. Bear Island, South Carolina

A nature lover’s dream, Bear Island feels rugged and remote despite sitting just an hour outside Charleston. This undeveloped and pristinely beautiful 12,021-acre Sea Island is part of the ACE Basin estuarine reserve area and managed by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. That translates to ample opportunities for bird watching (it’s among the top-ranked spots for twitchers in the entire state) and wildlife viewing, fishing, hiking and biking.

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8. Edisto Island, South Carolina

For a fantastic family-friendly holiday, consider Edisto Island. A laid-back Lowcountry Sea Island not far from Charleston (some people even call it home and commute into the Holy City, just to give you a sense of proximity) that’s approximately 68 square miles and has loads of low-key appeal in the form of sandy beaches and outdoor activities for all ages, including hiking and camping in Edisto Beach State Park.

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9. Fripp Island, South Carolina

Fripp Island doesn’t scream "Shiver me timbers" in that really obvious sort of way. But its treasure hunting past is really interesting and the legends live on. Though, these days, the most seaward of the barrier islands feels a lot less pirate and more residential vacation resort with sandy beaches, tennis courts and golf courses. It’s also a designated wildlife sanctuary. Visitors and residents frequently see great blue herons, wood storks and dolphins.

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10. Port Royal Island, South Carolina

If you’ve spent some time in South Carolina or are generally familiar with the Palmetto State, Beaufort probably rings a bell. Port Royal Island is the island where the aforementioned seaside city resides. There are beautiful beaches, scenic walking trails, boat tours and tons of opportunities for birdwatching. It's also a popular pick for foodies, specifically seafood lovers who come from far and wide to sample fresh-caught Lowcountry fare.

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11. Callawassie Island, South Carolina

Callawassie Island may be one of the hundreds of barrier and sea islands, but this 880-acre private slice of paradise just 17 miles from Beaufort sets itself apart from the rest with its coastline, tidal creeks, lagoons, salt marshes and moss-draped trees. There’s also a butterfly garden and a golf course. Callawassie Island is accessible via the half-mile-long causeway that connects it to the mainland as well as by boat.

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12. Johns Island, South Carolina

Sure, bigger isn’t always better. But, then again, sometimes size ups the appeals of a place. Sprawling 738 acres, Johns Island, the largest island in South Carolina and famously a filming location for The Notebook is enchantingly beautiful with miles of wooded trails, farms and lakes. Back to the whole size thing…its most famous feature, the massive ancient Angel Oak stands a whopping 65-feet tall and shades an area of 17,000 square feet.

With miles of white-sand coastline, South Carolina is the perfect destination for a beach vacation. It's no surprise, then, that many of our reader's favorite resorts in the state are located near the coast, particularly on the famous stretches of sand at Hilton Head, Kiawah Island, and Myrtle Beach.

How Voting Works

Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, Travel + Leisure asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 165,000 T+L readers completed the 2023 survey, an increase of nearly 25 percent over pre-pandemic voting levels. A total of more than 685,000 votes were cast across over 8,500 unique properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).

Hotels were classified as either resort hotel, city hotel, or safari lodge based on their location and amenities, and they were specifically rated on the criteria below:

For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses.

What Readers Loved

T+L readers seem to have their tried-and-true favorites: Of the 10 resorts on this year’s list, eight are repeat picks. At many resorts, including The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort (No. 3), the culinary experiences were deemed particularly superb. “The restaurants at the Sanctuary are amazing," one voter commented. "Jasmine Porch and The Ocean Room are great for celebrating a special anniversary or birthday, and our grandchildren love going to the ice cream shop for a special treat.”

Southern hospitality is another hallmark of these hotels. Of The Willcox, voted No. 2, one reader said, “The entire staff went out of their way to ensure we had the best time.”

But despite readers’ penchant for returning to a handful of South Carolina resorts year after year, a Charleston newcomer claimed the top spot. Find out why — and which other resorts made it onto the list of best South Carolina resorts.

The Winner

Post House: Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

This seven-room inn in Mount Pleasant’s Old Village was chosen by T+L editors as one of the best new hotels in 2022, and it has quickly amassed a loyal following among readers, too. The original 1896 building has served the neighborhood for years and was fully redone in 2020, with sophisticated touches like William Morris wallpaper and botanical prints. For updated Southern classics — shrimp fritters, swordfish katsu, and, at brunch, a “Full Southern”: a hearty plate of scrambled eggs, grits, collards, bacon, sausage, and toast — guests can head right downstairs to the bar and restaurant. Still, if you do wish to venture out, Post House is close to everything that T+L readers’ favorite American city has to offer. “Everything from the staff to the food is top notch,” said one reader. “I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Charleston.”

The Full List

1. Post House: Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

Reader Score: 96.00

2. The Willcox: Aiken, South Carolina

Reader Score: 94.59

3. The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort: Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Reader Score: 91.61

4. The Inn & Club at Harbour Town: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Reader Score: 91.53

5. Montage Palmetto Bluff: Bluffton, South Carolina

Reader Score: 89.33

6. The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina: Charleston, South Carolina

Reader Score: 87.00

7. Wild Dunes Resort: Isle of Palms, South Carolina

Reader Score: 84.98

8. Beach House Hilton Head Island: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Reader Score: 84.76

9. The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Reader Score: 84.11

10. Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Reader Score: 81.63

KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. (WCBD)- The Kiawah Island Community Association (KICA) teamed up with biologists to conduct their annual alligator count last week.

Town biologists reported counting 146 alligators on July 18 and 143 alligators on July 19 across the island.

“We’ve been doing these surveys every year since 2003,” Kiawah Island wildlife biologist Jim Jordan said. “And we’ve seen some ups and downs like you would expect, but overall the population has remained stable.”

The route, which covers 48 ponds and approximately 153 acres of water, is surveyed twice in order to ensure the most accurate count possible.

“We actually, we reverse it the second night, so we start at the endpoint just to try to take out some potential variability,” Jordan said.

Biologists use the count to determine the estimated density of alligators on the island, which is reported as the number of reptiles per 100 acres of water. It also is used to help determine the population size on the island, which the town estimates is between 600 and 700 alligators.

“The best use of the data is to look at trends over time and you know, again, particularly with density, but also with kind of a breakdown of size classes,” Jordan said. “So we tend to kind of look at it over a long period of time, looking for any significant upward or downward trends.”

Data shows that alligator density on Kiawah Island has remained relatively stable over the past two decades despite some fluctuations in the count. In 2003, density was reported as 134, while this year it was reported as 249.

A number of factors can contribute to the slight fluctuation, according to Jordan, including how active the alligators are at night and whether or not they are visible in a given location.

“Alligator populations typically do, you know, remain stable once they get to what we call carrying capacity,” Jordan explained. “So when there are as many alligators out there as the habitat can support, the numbers tend to remain pretty stable.”

As the team moves along the route, they also keep track of the relative size of each alligator that is counted. If an exact size cannot be determined, the animals are categorized as “unknowns” either under or over six feet in length.

“As a rule, probably 70 to 75% of the alligators that we see on the survey and are able to put into a size class are under six feet,” Jordan explained. “So most of these alligators are very small juveniles and a lot of them probably won’t make it to adulthood and that’s pretty typical for an alligator population.”

Determining the relative size of the alligators is also useful in helping biologists to track shifts in population size and density on the island, according to Jordan.

“Typically, when we see a little bit of a spike in numbers, it probably has to do with just a year where reproduction was really good and so we’ve got a lot of smaller alligators out there,” he said.

As for large alligators, which are generally considered over eight feet in length, only five were counted during the two-day survey period.

But, whether large or small, there are a few key points people should keep in mind if they encounter an alligator while living or vacationing on the island.

The town encourages people to stay at least 60 feet away from alligators whenever possible, do not swim in a body of water other than the ocean, and keep pets away from water.

“Alligators are, you know, they’re a large predator and they need to be treated with respect,” Jordan said.

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A low-key conference that brings together high-level global executives from the sports, media, technology and finance industries has returned to the South Carolina coast for its second go-round.

The corporate summit, organized by the investment firm Bruin Capital and the Sportico online news outlet, kicked off April 11 on Kiawah Island.

More than a dozen commissioners of professional sports leagues and about 40 team owners from around the world are expected to be in attendance, among other movers and shakers. Boris Johnson, Britain’s former prime minister, and U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy were set to speak at early sessions.

The only publicly identified participant other than the CEOs of the sponsors was financier Marc Lasry of Avenue Capital Group, who is a co-owner of the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks.

The conference is described as an off-the record gathering but not entirely. CNBC was granted access to the first event held last May at Kiawah Island Golf Resort and again this week.

A beachfront interview with Lasry that aired on the cable news network Wednesday was devoted not to basketball but the banking crisis.

A separate discussion with summit organizers George Pyne of New York-based Bruin Capital and Jay Penske of Sportico parent Penske Media Corp. touched on the fast-rising values of professional sports franchises, the likely sale of the NFL’s Washington Commanders and the use of artificial intelligence in newsrooms.

In a December profile of Pyne, the Boston Globe described the Kiawah conference as a “super-sized” version of an annual luncheon he put together for 13 years in the private dining room at Le Bernardin in New York City.

The South Carolina summit last spring included “14 commissioners, 30 team owners and about 50 others … . Former President George W. Bush headlined a list of VIP speakers,” according to a copy of the article posted on Bruin Capital’s website.

The moderator of a talk with cryptocurrency experts last year offered a few more details.

“I host panels at conferences all the time, but this event was a little different: the attendees included the biggest power brokers in sports and finance,” wrote Dan Robert, editor-in-chief of Decrypt.

He added that Bruin Capital and Sportico are “aiming for the event to become the Sun Valley or Davos of sports business,” he added, referring, respectively, to a long-running media finance summit held in Idaho and a global economic forum in Switzerland.

They seem to be well on their way.

“NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, MLS Commissioner Don Garber, ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro, and more than a dozen team owners were there,” according to Roberts.

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The United States is a truly beautiful country. There are about 18,617 claimed islands, and this doesn’t include islands within lakes. Florida has over 4.500 islands to choose from. In just the Great Lakes alone, there are 30,000 islands, many of which you can visit. So, which islands are the best? Which ones should you add to your bucket list? Follow along to learn about the top 12 must-visit islands in the United States.

1. Amelia Island, Florida

The first island on our list is Amelia Island in Florida. It’s a true beach paradise. This lovely island offers visitors about 13 miles of beaches. Amelia Island is one of the most underrated islands in the state. There are many things to do on this small island. You won’t be stuck at beaches all day. For instance, visitors can go to Amelia Island State Recreation Area. It covers about 200 acres of beaches, marshes, and marine forests. The nearest city is Fernandina Beach, Florida. Apart from this amazing state park, you can also visit Fort Clinch, the Amelia Island Lighthouse, and the Amelia Island Museum of History.

2. Mount Desert Island, Maine

When most people think of islands in the United States, they usually imagine Florida, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico beaches. However, there are islands in many other states that are just as stunning. Mount Desert Island is located in Maine and is the largest island off the coast of the state! The island has a population of about 10,000 people and yet gains over 3 million visitors every year. Most of the visitors come from far to visit Acadia National Park. The national park covers about half of the island. Within this national park are 158 miles of hiking trails and plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities. Not only is the island full of natural beauty, but you can also book a whale-watching tour!

3. Whidbey Island, Washington

One of the best islands to visit in the United States is Whidbey Island in Washington State. Like the previous island, it’s the largest island in the state. Whidbey Island has a surface area of 168.67 square miles. It’s 37 miles long and 10 miles wide. Whidbey Island is home to about 70,000 people. While it’s not a top tourist destination, many people visit during the summer to enjoy the island’s natural beauty and many free attractions. The island has multiple state parks including Deception Pass State Park, South Whidbey State Park, and Fort Ebey State Park. Apart from admiring the island’s beauty, you can also attend a festival. Some of the most popular festivals held on this island are the Island Shakespeare Festival, Whidbey Island Zucchini Festival, and Oak Harbor Music Festival.

4. Seabrook Island, South Carolina

This island is a beautiful barrier island in Charleston County, South Carolina. About 2,000 people live on this island. It was previously called Simmons Island. The total surface area of the island is 7.06 square miles. Seabrook Island has beautiful beaches. Some of the top things to do on the island are camping, fishing, hiking, and sports like tennis. You can also visit the Seabrook Island Equestrian Center and take riding lessons.

5. Vieques Island, Puerto Rico

Another fantastic island to visit in the United States is Vieques Island in Puerto Rico. This lovely island is about 8 miles east of mainland Puerto Rico. The surface area of Vieques is about 52 square miles. This island is 20 miles long and 4.5 miles wide. It’s one of the best island destinations in the world, however, there are parts you can’t explore. A section of the island is still closed off because of severe contamination as it was used as a bombing area. Although it’s a beautiful island perfect for swimming, you can also visit the Fortín Conde de Mirasol, Faro de Vieques, and the pristine bioluminescent bay. You can get to the island on a ferry or flight from Ceiba or San Juan’s Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport.

6. Jekyll Island, Georgia

Jekyll Island is a stunning island in Glynn County, Georgia. It’s a popular summer tourist destination for locals. You can travel to this island from mainland Georgia through a paved causeway. Jekyll Island has a surface area of 5,700 acres. It’s about 7 miles long and 1.5 miles wide. Parts of the island are made up of tidal marshlands. There are over 8 miles of beaches and 20 miles of hiking trails, perfect for all difficulty levels. Jekyll Island has many things to do and see including the Horton House, Clam Creek Picnic Area, Glory Beach, and the Jekyll Island Club Historic District. Did you know Jekyll Island has also been used as a filming location for multiple movies? This island was featured in X-Men: First Class, Magic Mike XXL, The Legend Of Bagger Vance, and the Color Purple.

7. Catalina Island, California

The next island on our list is Santa Catalina Island, more commonly shortened to Catalina Island. It’s located off the coast of California and is a popular tourist destination. The highest point on the island is Mount Orizaba, and it sits at an elevation of 2,097. Catalina Island’s surface area is 74.98 square miles. The island has a long and rich history. It was likely first settled as long as ago 7000 BC. The first European to land on Santa Catalina Island was Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo. About 1 million people visit this island every year, contributing about $166.7 million. There are fantastic beaches and many hiking trails to enjoy. You can also book tours on glass-bottom boats to view wildlife and shipwrecks off the coast of Santa Catalina Island. If you’re a history buff, you can also visit the Catalina Island Museum and see over 100,000 items.

8. Kauai, Hawaii

Hawaii’s fourth largest island is Kauai, but its size is just a fraction of its incredibleness. Kauai has a population of over 70,000 and a surface area of 562.3 square miles. There is so much to do and see on this island. Some of the best waterfalls are located within Kauai like Hanakapiai Falls, Manawaiopuna Falls, and Wailua Falls. Tourism is Kauai’s main industry. Each year, nearly 2 million people visit Kauai, typically in the summer. Kauai is home to many wilderness areas and state parks. Some of these include the Alakai Wilderness Area, Haʻena State Park, Kōkeʻe State Park, Nā Pali Coast State Park, and Waimea Canyon State Park.

9. Mackinac Island, Michigan

Next on our list is Mackinac Island off the coast of Michigan. This must-visit island is very busy during summer and early fall, however, there are only about 500 permanent residents. Mackinac Island has a surface area of 18.84 square miles, and over 76% is water. The island was first settled in 1671, well over 300 years ago. Mackinac Island, however, wasn’t established as a city until March 20, 1900. You can take a ferry to the island or a scenic boat trip around. Interestingly, Mackinac Island is known for its many delicious fudge shops. While you can spend your time trying out all the unique fudge flavors, there are plenty of historic sites to visit. Important sites and buildings include the Round Island Passage Light, Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum, and Fort Mackinac.

10. Nantucket, Massachusetts

Another wonderful island in the United States to visit is Nantucket in Massachusetts. The island is about 30 miles south of Cape Cod. It was settled in 1641. The surface area of Nantucket Island is 105.3 square miles and about half of the surface area is water. There are about 14,000 permanent residents living in Nantucket, Massachusetts. The weather on this island is refreshing. The highest temperature ever recorded was 100 °F in 1975, but this is rare. While it’s not the hottest island in the United States, it also isn’t extremely cold. The coldest temperature recorded in Nantucket is −3 °F. There is a lot to do and explore on Nantucket, including museums, art galleries, beaches, and historic buildings. Next time you visit, don’t miss the Nantucket Whaling Museum or the Nantucket Historic District.

11. Block Island, Rhode Island

Rhode Island is the smallest state in the U.S. by area, however, while it’s small, it does have many beautiful islands. Block Island in Rhode Island is perfect for a weekend getaway in the summer. Although a popular tourist destination, only about 1,000 residents live here permanently. The island’s surface area is 9.73 square miles. There is a lot to do on the island, including many festivals and parades. One of the largest parades on Block Island is the Fourth of July Parade. Anyone can enter and ride on a float as long as it fits the regulations. Built in 1875, you can also visit the Southeast Lighthouse. Another historic lighthouse on the island is the North Lighthouse.

12. Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Another popular island in South Carolina is Kiawah Island. It’s a barrier island about 25 miles southwest of Charleston with 10 miles of beaches. Kiawah Island is a luxury destination. Most people who visit go because of the Kiawah Island Golf Resort as it has beautiful and clean private beaches. Apart from gold, you can also play tennis at the Roy Barth Tennis Center. Kiawah Island is small, with a surface area of 15.14 square miles. It’s home to about 2,000 people and sits at an elevation of 13 feet. Golfing though isn’t the only thing you can do on the island. You can also visit the Beachwalker County Park. While the beaches are stunning, you can also kayak in the Kiawah River.

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About the Author

I have been a professional content writer for 6 years now, with a large focus on nature, gardening, food, and animals. I graduated from college with an A.A, but I am still pursuing a Bachelors of Marketing degree. When I am not writing, you can find me in front of my TV with a blanket, snacks, and my fur babies.

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