Five Kiawah Island Beach Vacation Tips

Planning your Kiawah Island vacation will be a very exciting process! After you book your vacation rental with Akers Ellis, you still have several steps to take. Are you traveling by car or plane? What tourist attractions do you plan to visit? With all the great places to eat on the islands and in Charleston, how are you going to narrow that list down?!

One of the biggest reasons visitors choose the coast is, of course, the beach. Days here are best spent with friends and family enjoying the waves, strolling along the shoreline, and relaxing in the sun. To help you make the most of your time by the water, here are a few simple tips to keep in mind before heading to the beach.

1. Bring your own chair and beach towel.

For a comfortable day on the sand, be sure to pack your favorite beach towel and plan for seating. While the sand feels great between your toes, it is not always the most relaxing place to sit for hours. Many guests choose to bring their own chairs, while others prefer the convenience of renting beach chairs and umbrellas in advance. Local companies make it easy for Kiawah Island visitors to have beach chairs, umbrellas, and other beach essentials delivered directly to their vacation rental, so everything is ready when you arrive.

2. Protect yourself from the Lowcountry sun.

Spending a full day on the beach means plenty of sunshine, so proper sun protection is essential. A high-quality sunscreen should always be part of your beach bag, and applying it generously throughout the day will help keep your skin protected. It is just as important to protect your eyes and scalp. A good pair of sunglasses and a  can make a big difference when the sun reflects off the water and sand. Just be sure to set them safely aside before heading into the waves.

3. Bags, bags, bags! 

• Beach bags just make lugging all that stuff around easier. Sunscreen, beach towels, hats, flip flops, speakers, cell phones, cameras… the list keeps going! Have a good beach bag so you don’t lose anything.
• Trash bags are not only for trash (although they will come in handy for this). You can also put wet bathing suits and sandy towels into trash bags to keep them separate from your dry and sand-less items.
• Ziploc or reusable sandwich & snack bags are the most cost-efficient way to keep sand out of your cell phone. One time forgetting these baggies, and you will never forget again.
• Reminder: Take your trash with you to keep our beaches clean and to protect wildlife.

4. Safety first! Know what a rip current is.

There are three main rules:

• Remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly.
• Don't fight the current. Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline. When out of the current, swim towards shore.
• If you are unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water.

5. Stay hydrated.

Playing games on the beach is always fun, but remember to hydrate while you’re in the sun. Your body’s natural cooling system can only do so much against heat and humidity. Heat-related illnesses can quickly bring a fun vacation to a halt. Stay safe, drink plenty of water.

Keep these tips in mind as you plan your Kiawah Island beach days, and you will be well prepared to relax and enjoy everything the Lowcountry coast has to offer. From sunny afternoons along the Atlantic to peaceful walks on the shoreline, a little preparation goes a long way toward a safe and memorable beach experience. Stay tuned for more Kiawah Island vacation tips and local insights from the Akers Ellis Rentals Team.