Accidents are just a part of life. They can happen at work, home, or even on the road. And when accidents happen, injuries often follow. According to the CDC, the number of injury-related visits to the ER was more than 38 million in 2020. But not all injuries require the same treatment. Minor sprains and bruises can often be treated at home with rest, ice, and elevation. Other, more serious injuries necessitate ongoing care like sports rehab and physical therapy. As a combination of physical exercises and education, physical therapy in Kiawah Island, SC, has incredible benefits for those who are injured or in constant pain. For many patients and pain sufferers, physical therapy is the key to a pain-free life - one without constant worry and debilitating pain, where joints and muscles don't ache, and everyday activities are easy to accomplish.
That's where Back 2 Health Physical Medicine comes into play: to help you rediscover the lifestyle you used to love.
Physical therapy centers around correcting impairments to your body's muscles, nerves, and even your brain. When you tear a muscle or break a major bone in your body, it's crucial to maintain careful stretching and training as your injury heals. However, trying to handle physical therapy on your own is quite risky. At Back 2 Health Physical Medicine, our team uses multiple diagnostic tools to monitor your injuries as you heal to ensure your treatment is helping to heal your body, not damage it further.
We help many different types of patients recover, from teen and adult athletes who play competitive sports to older adults and seniors who are retired. Our doctors and physical therapists find that immediate care often helps prevent minor issues, like sprains, from developing into serious problems. That's especially true if we can find a misalignment or weakness that led to the injury, to begin with.
When an injury takes you out of the game or affects your daily life, seeking physical therapy can get you back to normal as quickly as possible, without risking further damage. And that's the beauty of physical therapy from Back 2 Health.
Patients rely on our trained physical therapists to help them work through a myriad of issues, such as:
Unlike other physical rehab centers, however, we provide more than just physical therapy. Instead of focusing on one pain-relieving discipline, our team utilizes physical therapy along with medical therapeutics and research-backed solutions to give patients a multi-discipline approach to healing. We don't just have one or two physical therapists at your service - we have an entire team dedicated to your recovery, including:
At Back 2 Health, we believe the very best results are achieved by giving patients personalized treatment and access to a comprehensive list of rehab services. Our doctors and physical therapists do more than treat pain - we treat patients. Our goal is to completely restore the quality of life you deserve. We accomplish that goal by using all our resources to treat your pain, from the bottoms of your feet to tips of your triceps and everything in between.
And with decades of combined experience, we understand that no two patients or their injuries are exactly the same. The causes of back pain, foot pain, arthritis pain, and other types of pain are broad and change from patient to patient. The treatment of those conditions, then, must also have a broad range of pain treatment tools.
That's why, when you trust Back 2 Health Physical Medicine, you can rest easy knowing your treatment plan is crafted for you and your body - not someone within your age and weight range.
Our team treats a wide range of conditions, including:
By taking a focused approach to physical therapy, we can better understand your needs and the conditions causing your pain. Whether you're suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome or sciatica, our doctors and therapists have the tools and training to provide relief. And we keep doing it until you're back on your feet and back to your life.
And that, in a nutshell, is what separates Back 2 Heath from the rest of the pack: nuanced medical and physical therapy in Kiawah Island, SC, that helps you rediscover what healthy, pain-free living is all about. During rehab, our therapists may use resources like massage therapy, chiropractic care, and even medical injections for a more well-rounded approach to your recovery.
Many of the patients we see who are injured report that conventional methods like pain meds and surgery don't really solve their pain problems - they just mask them. When you throw in the risks associated with surgery and pain meds, alternatives like chiropractic care make a lot of sense. If you're looking for a safe, non-invasive treatment, combining the benefits of physical therapy with chiropractic adjustments is a great option for pain relief and overall well-being.
At Back 2 Health, our chiropractic physicians diagnose and treat patients with health problems associated with the body's muscular, nervous, and skeletal systems.
As the saying goes, a healthy spine equals a healthy person.
Just about every type of chiropractic care revolves around your spine. When your vertebrae are misaligned, the nerves surrounding them become compressed, resulting in pain. When a chiropractor restores your spine's natural alignment, it reduces your pain and other medical symptoms. To achieve pain relief, Back 2 Health chiropractors use focused pressure to restore healthy vertebrae motion and loosen frozen joints. This process allows the nerves along your spine to properly function and carry messages to and from your brain.
There are many benefits of using chiropractic care alongside physical therapy in Kiawah Island, SC, and other solutions like massage therapy. Some of the most common benefits of chiropractic care include:
Sitting in one spot for hours or frequently bending at work can cause horrendous neck pain. Whether from work or a car accident, our chiropractors ease that pain by realigning your spine, which reduces the tension on your neck.
The American College of Physicians says that doctors should recommend non-medical treatments for back pain prior to surgery. Chiropractic care helps tremendously in this regard, correcting subluxations through techniques like spinal decompression.
If you suffer from tension headaches that start in your upper spine or neck, chiropractic care may be the solution you need for relief.
Unfortunately, many people with back pain become addicted to pain meds like opiates. However, a study by the NIH found that adults who visited a chiropractor weren't as likely to receive an opioid prescription for pain when compared to those who only visited a medical doctor.
Our team of chiropractic doctors excels at finding and analyzing improper vertebrae placement. Once those areas are discovered, they use advanced techniques to correct subluxations, returning your body to its proper alignment. This strategy is key in correcting vertebral subluxation complex, which can affect your long-term health and how your body functions.
Like other practitioners, our chiropractors follow common standards and procedures to diagnose and treat you with chiropractic care. On your first visit, we'll get your medical history, conduct physical, orthopedic, and neurological examinations, and may order lab tests for further info. We may also use X-rays and other essential tools to focus on your spine and its proper function.
If needed, our chiropractors may conduct a postural and spinal analysis to discover if vertebral dysfunction is affecting your nervous system or causing a skeletal imbalance, which lowers disease resistance and causes additional pain.
Massage has been used for thousands of years to promote relaxation and relieve pain. And while most people think of getting a massage as a treat, purposeful massage therapy demonstrates an incredible ability to heal and restore overall wellness. In fact, modern applications have been proven to be very effective when used to supplement physical therapy. A complete review by the Institute of Work and Health found that massage had measurable effects vs. placebo treatments. That's excellent news for patients who need physical therapy to help heal injuries.
The benefits of massage therapy for issues like back pain and shoulder pain are numerous and include the following:
Deep Tissue Massage
Myofascial Release
Neuromuscular Therapy
Sports Massage
If you're suffering from a long-term condition like neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, or arm pain, massage therapy could be a great option to consider. Though massage can't always solve issues like inflammation, it can help relieve painful symptoms and works very well when used as part of the multi-discipline approach at Back 2 Health Physical Medicine.
Massage can help treat many conditions, such as:
If we're being honest, few people look forward to a medical procedure that involves needles. But the proper injection may reduce or even eliminate joint, nerve, muscle, or spinal pain plaguing you for years, all within a few hours. At Back 2 Health, we combine medical injections for immediate relief with other treatments like physical therapy in Kiawah Island, SC, that repair factors causing inflammation in your body, providing permanent results.
In many cases, inflammation is a good thing - it helps heal injuries and subsides when the healing process is finished. In many cases, however, inflammation doesn't go away. It actually becomes counterproductive, causing severe pain, swelling, restricted movement, and even structural damage that prevents normal bodily function.
Joint and inflammation injections from Back 2 Health help relieve pain and inflammation by reducing blood flow and limiting immune system cells at the affected joint. These injections typically contain a corticosteroid and an anesthetic. The corticosteroid helps with inflammation by limiting blood vessel dilation, while the anesthetic helps with immediate relief of pain.
Generally, joint and inflammation injections can serve two purposes: for pain relief and for diagnostic purposes. As a diagnostic tool, these injections can help our doctors identify the source of pain you're enduring. As a pain reliever, injections help reduce inflammation around the affected joint, providing localized pain relief with few, if any, side effects.
Patients who qualify for medical injections from Back 2 Health enjoy a number of short and long-term benefits, including:
Patients at Back 2 Health Physical Medicine use joint and inflammation injections for a variety of conditions, such as:
If you're looking for a truly personalized, complete approach to physical therapy and pain relief, contact Back 2 Health Physical Medicine today. As a team, we analyze every new patient's case and craft a customized medical treatment plan tailored to their needs. But unlike other "pain" clinics, we don't rely on one form of therapy.
Our doctors and specialists use massage therapy, chiropractic therapy, medical injections, and other treatments to give you long-term relief - not a short-term "band-aid" that only lasts for a few days. If surgery and opiates are off the table, contact our office to learn more about the Back 2 Health physical therapy difference.
Kiawah Island is stunning. It is an unspoiled barrier island with an incredible ecosystem that includes 10 miles of pristine Atlantic coast beach, a maritime forest, and a labyrinth of saltwater marshes. The forests, marshlands, brackish waterways, and Atlantic Ocean are home to 300 species of birds, 18 species of mammals, and 30 species of reptiles. With so many incredible features and natural beauty, it’s hard to accurately describe this unique place located around 25 miles south of Charleston, South Carolina.It was named for ...
Kiawah Island is stunning. It is an unspoiled barrier island with an incredible ecosystem that includes 10 miles of pristine Atlantic coast beach, a maritime forest, and a labyrinth of saltwater marshes. The forests, marshlands, brackish waterways, and Atlantic Ocean are home to 300 species of birds, 18 species of mammals, and 30 species of reptiles. With so many incredible features and natural beauty, it’s hard to accurately describe this unique place located around 25 miles south of Charleston, South Carolina.
It was named for the Kiawah Native Americans. They lived off the land and fished from the ocean long before the colonists arrived in the Carolinas. The history continued with tales of pirates, plantation owners, enslaved people, lumbermen, and investors. Each inhabitant made Kiawah what it is today: a beautifully preserved nature sanctuary that is also a vacation paradise. Fortunately (since 1997), the land is overseen by the Kiawah Conservancy, a group whose mission steers them to balance nature with development so that visitors and residents can enjoy what is truly unique about the setting.
Kiawah Island is a 45-minute drive from Charleston airport, has an average temperature that varies from 43 to 88 degrees from winter to summer, and has been my resort of choice for the past 20 years. Here are 10 reasons to fall in love with Kiawah Island in no particular order. Once you visit, you will return, like I do, again and again.
Kiawah’s shoreline is pristine and consistently ranks amongst the best in the world. One of the top beaches in Charleston, it was also voted the second-best island in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler in 2020. Its east-west orientation offers a prime spot for viewing sunrises and sunsets. The packed sand allows for recreation, including beach games of all kinds, building sandcastles, and biking along the water’s edge.
On the west end of Kiawah Island, Kiawah Beachwalker Park offers the only public beach access on the island. Since the rest of the beach is private, a vacation there requires renting a villa or home through Kiawah Island Golf Resort or booking a stay in The Sanctuary beachfront hotel. The Sanctuary is the island’s Forbes 5-star oceanfront accommodation that resembles a seaside mansion. Once you have secured your rental or reservation, you can arrange a setup of beach chairs and toys for maximum enjoyment.
Kiawah has a global reputation for incredible golf. The site of three previous PGA Championships, Kiawah Island Resort most recently hosted the tournament in 2021 on the Ocean Course. Regarded as one of the finest golf courses in the world, this championship course provides views of the Atlantic from every hole.
In addition to the Ocean Course designed by Pete Dye, you can choose to play five different courses when you stay at the resort: Osprey Point designed by Tom Fazio, Oak Point designed by Clyde Johnston, Cougar point designed by Gary Player, and Turtle Point designed by Jack Nicklaus.
The island’s setting and the architect’s challenging designs incorporating the rolling sand dunes, marshes, and forests make for exciting play. Private instruction and group lessons are available if you want to up your game.
Since the late ’70s, the tennis program at Kiawah was built to be one of the best. First under Roy Barth, and now under his son Jonathan, Kiawah Island’s tennis program is consistently ranked as one of the top tennis resorts in the U.S. The facility features 22 tennis courts, including 10 new Har-Tru clay courts.
There are various vacation packages for tennis enthusiasts. But if you are on vacation and just want to play a few times, you can reserve a court, rent or buy equipment, take individual or group lessons, and experience why Kiawah is considered one of the top tennis resorts in the world.
It’s easy to rent a bicycle on Kiawah. If you stay at The Sanctuary, the bike pavilion is open for walk-up rentals daily for half-day and full-day options. If you stay at a villa or home, you can reserve bicycles for 2 days or longer by making reservations with the resort. The bikes are dropped off and picked up directly from your accommodations.
You can take Kiawah bikes on the beach to ride on the hard-packed sand, which is a ton of fun. You can also steer them along 30 miles of paved bike trails. If there is no trail, you may have to ride on a road (helmets are available with rentals free of charge by request). Along the way, there are towers that allow you to look over the marshes and view birds and wildlife in their natural habitat.
One thing that sets Kiawah apart from other resorts is its nature programs. There is something for everyone, from youngest to oldest and in between. If you are active, there are kayaking, paddling, and fishing excursions. Some seasons even offer 5Ks, polar plunges, or triathlons. If you are artistic, there are painting, photography, and other creative classes. Yoga on the beach? Surf camp? Shelling? Yes, all that and more. And there is a daily newsletter you can read to discover what to see (nature-wise) while staying at the resort.
The Spa at The Sanctuary offers even more relaxation, if that is possible. There are single or full-day services available at their luxurious facility. There are combination sessions where you start the day with a personal training meeting and then get a relaxing massage or other treatments. There are couples therapies and salon experiences, including manicures and pedicures available at the spa. When you book a service, you are welcome to relax in the whirlpool, sauna, and steam room on the day of your treatment for as long as you want to linger.
Dining on Kiawah offers vacationers a variety of choices. If you rent your own villa or home, you might want to make some meals, especially if you enjoy cooking. The resort program will have groceries delivered to your resort accommodation before your arrival if you prefer. The Market at Town Center at East Beach Village serves casual meals and has provisions for sale. If you need eggs, milk, bread, snacks, or sandwich fixings, you can find them here. For prepared meals, dine-in, pick-up, or delivery for breakfast, lunch, or dinner selections is available. There are also bottles of wine or beer and Kiawah Island logo merchandise for sale.
Other dining options include a dozen eateries, including elegant and casual restaurants as well as poolside and outdoor cafes. Resort guests enjoy charging privileges and door-to-door ride service to any of the restaurants on the resort. The fare ranges from Lowcountry cuisine, Italian, steaks, and BBQ to the freshest seafood imaginable. The dining choices at Freshfields Village, just outside Kiawah Island Resort’s gates, offer additional restaurants to choose from and a full supermarket.
The lobby-level promenade in The Sanctuary hotel offers exciting shopping in a relaxed setting, but there are various shops throughout the resort. The Sanctuary shops include The Golf Shop and different boutique stores that sell signature clothing for every family member. If you don’t have time to relax at the spa, the spa shop has lovely items to bring the relaxation home with you.
The Wells Gallery represents a variety of artists from around the area and the globe in various mediums. The gallery specializes in works of art that celebrate Kiawah Island. The Heron Park Nature Center Island Outpost offers apparel by Patagonia, field guides, children’s toys, locally made or environmentally responsible gift items, and more. Just outside the gates of Kiawah Island Resort, Freshfields Village has terrific shopping from sporting goods to home decor and clothing.
During the summer, there are daily special events with themes and entertainment. On the Fourth of July, the all-day celebration of food, games, and fun concludes with a breathtaking fireworks show. One favorite summer event that occurs every Monday evening from Memorial Day to Labor Day is the Mingo Point Oyster Roast and BBQ. Fresh roasted oysters, a full Lowcountry boil, and southern BBQ, plus a sunset over the Kiawah River and dancing under the moonlight to live music make for a popular event. There is nothing better.
Holidays are also special celebrations at the resort. Check the Kiawah Island Resort website for more information about how to book and what to look forward to for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve.
Charleston, South Carolina, has been voted the number one city in the United States by Travel + Leisure for the past decade. It is one of the oldest, most inviting, and romantic places to visit. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride or stroll down the cobblestone streets to explore the antebellum architecture south of Broad Street and the pastel homes along Rainbow Row.
The history, the food, the harbor, and the vibe all make Charleston a great stop while visiting Kiawah Island. You can book tours right from the concierge. Or make a plan to visit before or after your stay on the island. One thing is sure: You must make a visit to the Holy City when you stay on Kiawah.
Pro Tip: The Charleston Tea Garden makes for a fun day trip. You can spend a few hours learning how tea is processed and produced at this location. Another popular attraction is the Angel Oak, a local treasure that must not be missed.
The best time to explore Kiawah and Charleston is in the fall. Tourists love to flock to these areas from April to October because of the weather and the beaches. I always stayed on Kiawah in July or August due to school schedules, but it’s sweltering and can be buggy. The spring is also a beautiful time, and the blooms are glorious.
When it comes to resorts, South Carolina does it right. Whether you're looking to relax at a luxurious spa, stroll a sandy beachfront, or enjoy memorable meals, there's a resort in the Palmetto State with your name on it. Browse the amenities at these properties, and find what speaks to you. (There's plenty to choose from at each one.) The next step is bookin...
When it comes to resorts, South Carolina does it right. Whether you're looking to relax at a luxurious spa, stroll a sandy beachfront, or enjoy memorable meals, there's a resort in the Palmetto State with your name on it. Browse the amenities at these properties, and find what speaks to you. (There's plenty to choose from at each one.) The next step is booking a stay, packing your gear, and—finally—setting out on an adventure to a resort that feels like an oasis, whether a home away from home or just a break from the day-to-day. Rent bikes and pedal the sands. Order room service and enjoy the view from your windows. Find the poolside bar and relax. Memories, and a whole lot of fun, await. Want to continue traveling? Check out some of the best places to stay in every Southern state.
This waterfront retreat is a consistently celebrated stay near Charleston. Palmetto trees welcome you to the property, where you'll find wraparound porches, the serenity-inducing Estuary Spa, and a water taxi for ferrying you to downtown adventures. The abundance of patios and porches means you'll get your fill of harbor breezes (and handcrafted cocktails to enjoy while relaxing outdoors).
20 Patriots Point Rd, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464, charlestonharborresort.com
02
Book a stay at The Inn & Club at Harbour Town, part of The Sea Pines Resort in Hilton Head, for a warm welcome and rooms with a view. The boutique luxury hotel has 60 guest rooms and offers opportunities for rounds of golf, swings on the tennis courts, and relaxation at the pool. You can also book private fishing charters, cruises, and boat tours at the nearby full-service marina.
7 Lighthouse Ln., Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, seapines.com
03
Find pools galore at this Myrtle Beach resort. Sun, sand, and plenty of bright blue umbrellas and loungers await when you book a beachfront stay at this inviting spot. There are indoor and outdoor pools, beach access, and opportunities for pampering at Hibiscus Spa. Open your windows to the beach air, enjoy a meal at the resort's restaurants, or stroll outside to the pool deck—there is fun all around here.
8400 Costa Verde Dr., Myrtle Beach, SC 29572, marriott.com
04
This Lowcountry property is situated along the May River in Bluffton, which means it has instant appeal—and a marina on the waterfront. Located between Hilton Head and the Georgia border, this resort is equal parts relaxation and adventure. It has fantastic restaurants, a nature preserve, and a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course.
477 Mt Pelia Rd., Bluffton, SC 29910, montagehotels.com
05
Book a stay at The Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort, and enjoy the sea breezes. This resort has something for everyone, including dining, swimming, golfing, and lounging on the sands. In addition to the resort's amenities, you can book packages (like the Family Fun Package with bike and kite rentals) to complement your stay.
23 Ocean Ln., Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, omnihotels.com
06
Find a barrier island getaway at Kiawah Island Golf Resort—an oasis of sandy beachfront and championship golf courses near Charleston. There's also decadent dining at the resort's many stellar restaurants, including Jasmine Porch and The Ocean Room. With so much to enjoy, you don't want to miss the opportunity to stay at this luxury property.
1 Sanctuary Beach Dr., Kiawah Island, SC 29455, kiawahresort.com
07
Head to Isle of Palms for a stay at Sweetgrass Inn at Wild Dunes Resort, a 1,600-acre property near Charleston that's a destination for golfing (the Links Course has Atlantic views) and enjoying the coastline. With plenty of pools, bike rentals, and opportunities to relax (check out the Spa at Sweetgrass, where you can contact the spa concierge to customize your stay), you'll never want your vacation to end.
5757 Palm Blvd., Isle of Palms, SC 29451, destinationhotels.com
08
While not necessarily classified as a resort, you can find the epitome of South Carolina hospitality at this historic hotel, nestled in the resort town of Aiken. In addition to gracious accommodations, it has fantastic dining offerings for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, a relaxing spa, and easy access to the town's shopping, antiquing, arts, equestrian, and cycling opportunities.
100 Colleton Ave. SW, Aiken, SC 29801, thewillcox.com
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, Brita...
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.
PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and the company may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. You can learn more about that process here.You’ve already been charmed by Charleston, maybe even made the trip to some of ...
PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and the company may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. You can learn more about that process here.
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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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. —President Joe Biden arrived in South Carolina on Wednesday to begin what is expected to be at least a seven-day vacation with members of his family.The first couple was planning to be in Kiawah Island, noted for its private beach and golf resort, through Tuesday, according to Federal Aviation Administration advisories.The White House did not respond to requests to provide details on Biden’s vacation schedule, activities or when he planned to return to Washington. The pres...
KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. —
President Joe Biden arrived in South Carolina on Wednesday to begin what is expected to be at least a seven-day vacation with members of his family.
The first couple was planning to be in Kiawah Island, noted for its private beach and golf resort, through Tuesday, according to Federal Aviation Administration advisories.
The White House did not respond to requests to provide details on Biden’s vacation schedule, activities or when he planned to return to Washington. The president will stay at a friend’s home on the island that the family has used for previous visits, according to a White House official.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden to visit Kiawah Island this week
Biden, accompanied by first lady Jill Biden, departed the White House by motorcade to Joint Base Andrews outside the capital, where Air Force One was on hand to take them to Joint Base Charleston. Biden was dropped off at a private home in a gated community alongside a golf course on the island.
Biden was joined on Air Force One by his son, Hunter Biden, daughter-in-law Melissa Cohen and grandson Beau.
Summer vacations are a presidential tradition. George W. Bush often spent August clearing brush in the 100-degree heat that baked his central Texas ranch. Barack Obama worked on his golf game on the Massachusetts island of Martha’s Vineyard. Donald Trump spent time at his home on his private golf club in central New Jersey.
The White House in the past has emphasized that the president is never truly free from the job’s responsibilities — and that he’ll continue to consult with aides and take his daily national security briefing regardless of his location.
And at times, presidents have had to make legacy-defining decisions while on vacation, including Bush’s response to Hurricane Katrina flooding New Orleans in 2005. Bill Clinton ordered airstrikes against al-Qaida terrorists from Martha’s Vineyard in response to the bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. And Bush’s father, President George H.W. Bush, planned the U.S. response to Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990 from his family’s oceanfront compound in Kennebunkport, Maine.