In the recent Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, readers ranked the world’s islands everywhere from Indonesia to the United States. While you might assume the best islands in the U.S. would be in Hawaii or Florida, when the 757,109 votes were tallied, it was Hilton Head and Kiawah islands that took the top spots.
If you’ve never visited these South Carolina islands, you might want to consider one of them for your next trip. While neither the voters nor the publication went into the reasons why, there are many.
Hilton Head Island
Ranked the No. 1 island in the U.S., Hilton Head is renowned for its beautiful beaches with 12 miles of pristine white sand. Coligny Beach is often noted as a favorite, providing the quintessential beach escape with a wide range of facilities. Located at the end of Pope Avenue, there’s a water fountain for the little ones to splash around in, swings, umbrella and beach chair rentals, showers, and restrooms. Numerous shops and eateries are just steps away in and around Coligny Plaza.
Bradley Beach is popular as a more laid-back alternative, while Driessen Beach Park has a picturesque boardwalk to stroll. There’s plenty to do when you need a break from the sand too. There are Segway tours, pirate ship rides, and museums like the Coastal Discovery Museum. It’s focused on the island’s cultural and ecological history, including displays on flora and fauna. On the grounds, there are gardens, a butterfly habitat, and scenic walking trails.
You’ll have a variety of accommodation options to choose from, including family-friendly resorts, luxury hotels, and private vacation rentals, including beach houses.
Kiawah Island
Just behind Hilton Head in the rankings, Kiawah Island has 10 miles of wide, uncrowded beaches with both tranquil saltwater marshes and the waves of the Atlantic, providing the opportunity for everything from relaxation to various watersports like kayaking, paddleboarding, skimboarding, and surfing.
There are over 30 miles of paved paths for cycling, and with 10 miles of hard-packed beach, you can even pedal right on the sand. Many come to Kiawah for its world-class golf. There are five championship courses here, including the famous Ocean Course with a dramatic seaside setting featuring more oceanfront holes than any other on the continent.
Kiawah Island Golf Resort hosts an array of accommodations, including exclusive golf cottages at the ocean course and luxurious villa rentals for an extra-special island escape.
