Pet-Friendly Rentals & Things to Do in Kiawah Island, SC
Kiawah Island is a beautiful barrier island located on South Carolina's eastern coastline. This stretch of land features beautiful beaches and coastline that's been largely left natural. It should thus come as no surprise that many people come to Kiawah Island to be outdoors and to explore the unique beauty of this part of America.
And if you feel that exploring the outdoors is often best done with a canine companion, well, you aren't alone. Kiawah Island is a popular destination with pet owners, and we're here to let you know some of the best places to go and stay with your pooch during your own pet-friendly travels to this slice of South Carolina:
Pet-Friendly Attractions
Kiawah Island and its surrounding communities and regions offer an array of outdoor attractions and dining spots that happily welcome pets, ensuring you and your four-legged pal can enjoy activities together.
Kiawah Beachwalker Park
Kiawah Beachwalker Park is the island's go-to public beach access point and it happens to be dog-friendly -- just note that all dogs must be leashed and under control at all times. We also love this beach for families thanks to the lifeguard stations, dressing areas, open-air outdoor showers, and full bathrooms near a nice picnic area complete with grills.
During popular swimming seasons, there's also a snack bar and an on-site rental outfit that has things like beach chairs and umbrellas for rent.
Freshfields Village
Looking for some souvenirs or beach apparel? Head on down to Freshfields Village, an open-air shopping and dining destination. Here, you can stroll down the pedestrian area with your pooch to peruse the latest sales.
Some businesses may allow you to bring dogs in, but we recommend checking first and visiting with someone else with whom you can swap outdoor dog hang-out time with. If you work up an appetite, there are also plenty of restaurants with dog-friendly patios at Freshfields Village.
James Island County Park
Just a short drive from Kiawah Island is the large and multi-faceted James Island County Park. This is one your dog is definitely going to love with its dedicated dog park complete with its own dog beach.
There's even a great area of open grassy space that is perfect for some games of fetch. For the humans, James Island County Park features boat and bike rentals, an 18-hole disc golf course, and a coastline that's popular for saltwater fishing and crabbing.
Pet-Friendly Restaurants
With a gorgeous year-round temperate climate, Kiawah Island is just about always a perfect place to grab a bite outdoors. Which also means, it's a perfect place to dine out on a dog-friendly patio with your dog.
Here are some good spots to try:
Café Eugenia
209 Farm Lake View Rd, Johns Island, SC
Follow the dark blue umbrellas to discover this charming café nestled in Freshfields Village. Café Eugenia is the perfect spot to satisfy your cravings for expertly crafted coffee and a generous selection of pastries. Beyond their sweet breakfast items, the menu features savory options like quiche, chicken caesar wraps, and ready-made charcuterie boards.
This adorable café serves up satisfying, quick bites in an airy, welcoming atmosphere that will set the perfect tone for your day of exploring the island. The prime location makes it effortless to walk around and explore the surrounding area after your meal, so fuel up with something yummy, then dive into all the shopping and discoveries that await!
Cantina 76
219 Farm Lake View Rd, Kiawah Island, SC
Dirty Queso, Peruvian shrimp tacos, and a refreshing margarita to wash it all down - need we say more? Cantina 76, also located in Freshfields Village, serves up mouthwatering Tex-Mex dishes that'll have you coming back for more.
With plenty of outdoor seating perfectly positioned for people-watching and a thoughtfully designed interior, you can settle in and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere while treating your taste buds. The attentive staff ensures your glass stays full and your experience stays top-notch. Be sure to check their website for weekly specials and events that keep the excitement fresh.
The Ryder Cup Bar
1002 Ocean Course Dr, Kiawah Island, SC
The Ryder Cup Bar is a popular bar that is located within The Ocean Course. Now, while dogs aren't allowed to walk the golf course, they are welcome to come to this small bar and restaurant to dine with their owners at the outdoor dining area.
The menu here also revolves around popular American grill items, including sandwiches and burgers.
Fuji Sushi Bar & Grill
205 Farm Lake View Rd, Kiawah Island, SC
Looking for something more than a cheeseburger and fries? Head down to Fuji Sushi Bar & Grill, a popular Japanese restaurant that features a large, dog friendly outdoor dining area. They have a very extensive menu that includes signature sushi rolls, hibachi entrees, poki bowls, and even bento boxes that come served in a Japanese bento box.
If you love Japanese restaurants, then Fuji Sushi Bar & Grill is definitely worth a stop. Dog or no dog!
Pet-Friendly Vacation Rentals
Finding the perfect stay for any specific group can be taxing. But as a pet owner, we're sure you're aware of how much harder this process can be when you have a dog (or dogs) you want to bring with you on vacation. Due to prior bad experiences, it's unfortunate that many places don't allow pets.
Many, but not all! Our partner, Akers Ellis Real Estate & Rentals, is proud to represent several exceptional pet-friendly properties that welcome both human and canine guests. This list includes the following dog friendly rentals in Kiawah Island.
414 Amaranth Road
Located in the West Beach area of the island, 414 Amaranth Road is a newly renovated four-bedroom, four-bath home that readily accommodates up to eight guests plus four-legged friends.
Even better, this property boasts its own private pool with a screened-in porch where you can enjoy a fun cool down on a hot summer day. Other draws of 414 Amaranth Road include a fully-equipped kitchen, a well-appointed living room, and bikes to take out on the back streets and biking trails.
135 Conifer Lane
Need a bit more space? Consider renting 135 Conifer Lane, a five-bedroom, five-bath vacation rental that accommodates as many as twelve guests. We love the open floor plan at this residence, which makes it easy for guests to hang out with each other and for pups to enjoy more indoor space to play around in.
This Kiawah Island vacation rental also features its own private pool, complete with a pool deck and screened-in porch that's set-up for outdoor dining.
Book Your Kiawah Island Vacation Rental Today
There's plenty to do when you choose pet friendly rentals in Kiawah Island. You might head on to the beach with your pup and crash into some waves together, take long morning walks along the beach and pedestrian bike trails, head to town for some shopping, or stay in and lounge poolside. Wherever your mood takes you, we hope that you consider the benefits of pet friendly vacation rentals offered by our local partner, Akers Ellis Real Estate & Rentals.
