Nature

Get to Know Your Local Waterways

Whether you are a recreational enthusiast or active water buff, the waters surrounding the Lowcountry offer endless opportunities to enjoy and celebrate this unparalleled natural environment.  

Kiawah River’s commitment to sustainability provides logical, careful measures in place to ensure that residents will be able to gently engage the fragile ecosystem while not disturbing its existence. The community’s many waterways, tidal creeks, and ponds offer an up-close experience that is simply breathtaking. Nestled amidst the lushness of the Charleston sea islands and comprised of 20 miles of shoreline, maritime forests and salt marshes, Kiawah River fully embraces life along the water.  

In honor of Charleston Water Week (September 5-13), we invite you to explore Kiawah River’s waterways and islets that enable almost everything in our natural habitat to thrive.  

Kiawah River  

Our community’s namesake, the Kiawah River is a broad tidal river located between Johns Island and Kiawah Island that flows directly into the Stono River. Local tour operator Coastal Expeditions offers scenic and educational tours along the river’s inlets as well as paddleboard and kayak schools for residents seeking to explore the 2,000 acres of untouched land surrounding the community.  

For those looking to discover the Kiawah River by foot, the Sea Island Trail is a network of foot and biking trails that has been thoughtfully incorporated along the river’s edge, designed and crafted alongside the river’s edge, offering unparalleled views of the surrounding wildlife.   

Hammock Islands  

The Hammock Islands are a favorite natural feature on the Kiawah River. Accessible by foot during low tide and by boat during high tide, the Hammock Islands are two river islands that will remain an undeveloped adventure point for afternoon picnics and morning journeys.   

Jack Island Pond  

Located in the heart of Kiawah River’s Jack Island neighborhood, Jack Island Pond serves as a place for residents to work on their health, fitness and spirit of adventure! Whether it’s getting out on the water to paddleboard or baiting a fish from the shoreline, the pond offers an array of recreational activities for residents to enjoy.  

Abbapoola Creek 

Translated from the Indian word meaning “running water,” the Abbapoola Creek is a lazy, winding tidal creek on John’s Island. Adorned with live oaks, Spanish moss and salt marsh, the creek is a fish haven teeming with spotted sea trout and black sea bass.  

From the sparkling saltwater rivers to our recreational ponds, Kiawah River seamlessly blends the Lowcountry’s landscape with a life centered on outdoor pursuits and a passion for natural wonders.