USA · Resort
Kiawah Island
Home of the War by the Shore. The Ocean Course is Pete Dye's masterpiece — 10 holes directly on the Atlantic, with wind that can shred any scorecard. The Sanctuary resort handles groups as well as anywhere in the US.
BEST TIME TO GO
March–November
EST. COST / PERSON
$4,000–$9,000 CAD
BOOK IN ADVANCE
16–36 weeks
TRAVEL TIME
2.5–3h flight from Toronto
MUST-PLAY COURSES
The Ocean Course
#5 Public Course USA (Golf Digest)
Ryder Cup 1991 (War by the Shore), PGA Championship 2021. 10 holes on the Atlantic.
Turtle Point
Nicklaus design winding through maritime forest and saltmarshes.
Osprey Point
Fazio's most naturalistic design. Lagoons, forest, and marsh views.
Cougar Point
Best value on the island. 13 holes with Kiawah River or marsh views.
WHAT A TRIP LOOKS LIKE
Arrive in Charleston
Charleston is one of the best food cities in the American Southeast — arrive early enough to have dinner downtown before transferring to the island. The peninsula's historic district is worth the stop.
Osprey Point
Tom Fazio's most naturalistic design on the island — lagoons, maritime forest, and marsh views throughout. A genuinely beautiful round that sets the right expectations for the rest of the trip without burning the legs before the big courses.
Turtle Point
Jack Nicklaus wove this layout through maritime forest and saltmarshes with three oceanfront holes on the back nine that hold their own against anything on the island. Afternoon time on Kiawah Beach after the round is a proper recovery.
The Ocean Course
The centrepiece round of the trip and one of the great golf experiences in North America. Wind readings off the Atlantic change hole by hole — the caddie's advice on club selection is not optional. Post-round, drinks on The Sanctuary porch overlooking the ocean.
Cougar Point & Leisure
Cougar Point is the perfect closer — familiar, scenic, and forgiving enough after the Ocean Course that everyone leaves on a high note. Afternoon bike ride on the island's trail system before the evening farewell dinner.
Depart
Charleston airport is 45 minutes from the island. Build in time for a proper breakfast at The Sanctuary before loading the vans.
GROUPS 12+ — Kiawah's Sanctuary resort handles groups exceptionally well — request villa-style accommodation over hotel rooms for groups of 12+ to give the group shared common space. The resort's on-site golf shop can coordinate caddie assignments for all four rounds in a single call.
BEST MONTHS
Ready to plan Kiawah Island?
Tell us your dates and group size — we'll take it from there.