This Top 10 Beach is Right Here on the Coast of SC

Have you heard of the Kiawah Beachwalker Park? This park is one of the nation’s top ten-rated beaches, and it’s just a few hours away from Charleston, SC. Find out why the Kidding Around team enjoys this beach so that you can plan out the perfect beach trip.

If you are planning on taking a trip to the coast soon, we have a huge Guide to Charleston, SC with tips for things to do, places to stay, and adventures to enjoy!

Kiawah Beachwalker Park: Making the Top Beach List

A lot goes into deciding what beaches get bestowed with being named to one of Stephen Leatherman’s beach lists. Stephen, AKA Dr. Beach isn’t just some permanent beach bum. He is a doctor of coastal science and knows what makes a great beach.

Kiawah Beachwalker Park is #5 on the Dr. Beach Top Ten List in 2024

One of the first years he created the list the beach local to me in Florida was named number one in the entire country! Siesta Beach is Sarasota county has made the top lists of beaches in the world, too. I was intrigued to see a South Carolina beach on the list. Siesta Beach has sand that looks like talcum powder, and usually, the Gulf of Mexico is a beautiful shade of turquoise. Would this beach in South Carolina be similar?

Planning a Trip To Kiawah Island

At a little under four hours from the Upstate, I don’t think Kiawah Island is suitable for a day trip. Grabbing a hotel for the night is the best way for you to enjoy a day at this exceptional beach.

The Andell Inn on Kiawah Island is a Marriott boutique hotel. The hotel has all the amenities you’d expect from a Marriott property, plus they provide a free shuttle to Kiawah Beachwalker Park.

The island isn’t very commercialized, so you’ll need to grab any picnic provisions or beach snacks before you leave the Charleston area. They do have a picnic area with grills, but they are first come first serve, so keep that in mind when packing your lunch. There is a convenience store a few blocks away from the beach to grab ice and anything you may have forgotten.

Make sure you stop at Five Below or another discount retailer and grab the kids some boogie boards! I had the idea to grab them and didn’t realize that they were the cool thing to have at the beach. Every kid there had one, and at just $5, it was the best decision ever.

Spending The Day at Kiawah Beachwalker Park

If you don’t already own a beach-style wagon or a rolling cooler, I suggest you look into getting them. The walk from the parking lot to the shore includes a trek down a long boardwalk. I have never regretted leaving my rolling cooler at home more than on that boardwalk.

Once you arrive at the park, you will need to pay for parking. During the summer months, an attendant is on duty to take payments. On weekdays in the summer, the cost is $15 and weekends it is $20. The parking fee is slightly less after Labor Day and before Memorial Day. Should the park be at capacity, you can leave your name and number, head to the open-air market Freshfields Village and they will notify you when you can head back.

Even when the parking lot is at capacity, there is plenty of space on the beach. You can rent a beach chair and umbrellas at the beach or bring your own. One of the wonderful things about Kiawah Beachwalker Park is that, unlike other South Carolina beaches, there are no restrictions here on tents and sunshades. You can set up camp for the day and have your family protected from the sun while they enjoy the beach!

There must be a pod of Bottlenose dolphins that love this beach just as much as the humans. They are a famous sight in the water there, just take note that getting too close or harassing them is illegal.

After A Long Day At Kiawah Beachwalker Park

Once it’s time to head home, you can clean up all the gear and the kids at the top end of the boardwalk. There are changing rooms and showers available. I’m going to warn you after a long day in the sun; the fresh cold water feels SO GOOD coming out of that shower. My kids just stood there staring at me, while I enjoyed it for way too long.

Before I had left, I was already planning a return trip. Due to the calmer, family-friendly nature of this beach and the non-commercialization of the island, the beach here is quite enjoyable.

Have you been to Kiawah Beachwalker Park? What did you think?