We just had the most magical weekend getaway in Seabrook Island, South Carolina (right next to Kiawah Island!), and I can’t stop thinking about it. Even though it’s been a week since our trip, I keep finding myself scrolling through photos, tempted to hop in the car and drive straight back. It was truly one of the most beautiful and peaceful South Carolina beaches I’ve ever been to, and it’s officially my new favorite place to travel.

Ultimate Travel Guide to Seabrook & Kiawah Island South Carolina

We brought our toddler along, and I have to say, Seabrook Island is incredibly family-friendly. It made for such a relaxing, low-key beach vacation, and I can’t wait to go back.

I put together a travel guide to Seabrook & Kiawah Island in hopes that it helps you plan your next beach escape. If you’re looking for an unforgettable South Carolina beach vacation, look no further than Seabrook Island, located just next to Kiawah!

We live just outside of Charlotte, NC, so it was about a three-hour drive—but since we left on a weekday, the drive was smooth and traffic-free. We arrived in Seabrook Island just in time for lunch. Right before entering Seabrook, you’ll find yourself at the most charming shopping village called Freshfields Village. I kept telling my husband it felt like the East Hampton of South Carolina. The buildings were absolutely stunning! So quaint, cozy, and full of cottage charm. There were so many amazing restaurants (I already can’t wait to go back and try more!) and all the cute shops. I had a feeling we’d be visiting Freshfields Village more than once a day during our stay.

Java Java Cafe

One of the BEST coffee shops in Kiawah!

Two of my favorite things in life are a good turkey and bacon sandwich and a cozy coffee shop with great coffee, and for lunch, I had both of my favorites! We stopped at the cutest little spot called Java Java Café, which had delicious food and seriously good coffee. The outdoor seating was adorable, with light green tables and girly white umbrellas. Hello, cutest aesthetic ever! And to top it all off, we were blessed with some of the best beach weekend weather you could ask for.

My son and I split the club sandwich, which came stacked with turkey, bacon, jack cheese, tomato, lettuce, avocado, and spicy mayo on toasted wheat bread. It was so good. We also shared an oat bar that hit the spot. For my coffee, I ordered a warm oat milk cappuccino, and the espresso was amazing, so good that we grabbed a bag of beans to bring home. One of the best things about our new coffee maker is being able to brew beans from our favorite vacation spots long after the trip ends!

We were long overdue for a family beach trip, and celebrating my son’s third birthday felt like the perfect excuse to finally book one. I asked him if he wanted a birthday party with all his friends or a beach weekend, and without hesitation, he said “beach!” It’s all he talked about for weeks leading up to the trip. He even wanted to watch every beach-themed show or read every beach-themed book we could find.

As soon as we finished lunch and dropped our bags off at the rental, we headed straight for the beach. Hearing his little “yay!” and watching him sprint toward the sand made every bit of planning worth it. I honestly think that kid loves the beach more than anyone I’ve ever met.

Seabrook Island Beach Day (access 7)

The Best Beaches near Charleston South Carolina

There are several different beach access points in Seabrook Island, and they’re super easy to navigate using the access map. My tip? Pick a different access point each time you head to the beach. They all have a unique vibe, and it honestly feels like you’re visiting a brand-new beach every time.

I loved how clean and upscale everything felt in Seabrook. Each access point had hoses to rinse off, pretty walkways, places to park your bike, and plenty of vehicle parking. It was so thoughtfully laid out and family-friendly, and I really fell in love with Seabrook Island.

The first beach access we visited was Access 7, which is right next to the Seabrook Island Beach Club!

We spent a few hours soaking up every minute at the beach, and it was the best time. My son couldn’t get enough! He was running back and forth from the water to the sand, building sandcastles, throwing frisbees, and jumping off sand hills like it was his job. I honestly don’t know where he gets all that energy from!

Beach Club at Seabrook Island

oceanfront pools in seabrook island

The Beach Club at Seabrook Island is amazing! After a fun-filled beach day, we packed up all our things, tossed everything in the car (which was conveniently parked right outside the club), rinsed off in their outdoor showers, and headed straight over to enjoy the Beach Club amenities.

Our host provided us with a Seabrook Island Beach Club pass, which gave us access to the gorgeous pool, delicious food options, and those dreamy ocean views. The pool deck for kids was perfect, not too deep and very family-friendly. It was such a great place to unwind after the beach and let our toddler splash around in a safe, fun space.

Dinner by the pool at the Seabrook Beach Club

casual dining by the pool in seabrook

Even after two hours at the beach, we somehow managed to squeeze in a few more hours at the pool before dinnertime. Our original plan was to head back to Freshfields Village for dinner, but by 6 p.m., we had a worn-out toddler on our hands, so we opted for a more casual (and convenient!) dinner at theBeach Club.

The weather was so perfect, we didn’t want to miss a second of it—dining poolside was the right call. For my son, I ordered the toddler go-to: chicken fingers and French fries. For myself, I had a salmon Caesar salad that was so fresh and flavorful. There’s truly nothing better than crispy fries and a Caesar salad with a pool and ocean view right in front of you.

Playground for kids at Seabrook Island

kid-friendly things to do on seabrook island

After finishing up bath time and having about an hour before bedtime, we decided to take a little drive over to the fitness center (at the lakehouse community center) to check it out. My husband loves exploring a new gym on a trip, and the one at Seabrook Island did not disappoint. It was so nice.

Of course, my toddler immediately spotted the playground behind the building, so we headed over to let him play for about half an hour. The playground was so cute and clean. Such a great bonus for families visiting the island!

Freshfields Village, Kiawah Island, SC

Does kiawah have a downtown? yes!

Of course, I packed everything we needed, except the nighttime pull-ups. Now that we have a potty-trained toddler, I sometimes forget that we still need a few just-in-case essentials. Luckily, we were already out and about. There’s a gorgeous Harris Teeter nearby (if you’re not from the South, it’s a grocery store, but trust me, this one is not your average Harris Teeter). It fits the coastal / farm fresh aesthetic and blends right into the surroundings and you’d almost miss it if you didn’t know it was there!

We popped in to grab some coffee creamer and a pack of pull-ups before heading back for the night. I’m actually glad we went in the evening because the village was all lit up, and it looked absolutely stunning. Such a charming spot to explore, even just for a quick errand.

photo credit from the listing

Rental in Seabrook Island, SC

Stay in a luxury hotel or cozy rental in seabrook island

When I was planning this beach trip for the family, I hopped on our neighborhood Facebook group, and would you look at that, one of our neighbors had just shared their Seabrook Island beach rental info. I immediately texted her! It ended up being the perfect spot, especially since we were looking for somewhere new to explore.

Where to Stay in Kiawah & Seabrook Island

• Charleston Kiawah Island/Andell Inn
• The Dunlin
• The Sanctuary Kiawah Island Resort
• Rent with Coastal Getaways (Here’s the rental we stayed in!)

Seabrook Island Beach Access (access 9)

family-friendly at seabrook island

After some morning coffee and cartoons at the rental, the sun finally started to peek out! I packed up the stroller with some fun beach gear, got my toddler ready, and the two of us took a peaceful walk, about ten minutes up the road to Access 9. My husband headed off to the gym and planned to meet up with us later.

The weather was absolutely perfect, and the walk felt so refreshing. I also tossed a few books into the stroller since we’re on our book club journey and I packed all beach-themed reads just for him! We had a slow, sweet morning ahead of us filled with painting, reading, and seashell hunting. It was the kind of beach morning I’ll remember for a long time.

Toddler Beach Activity: Seashell Painting

One of the cutest beach activities to do with toddlers is heading out early in the morning, when the seashells are plentiful, and using a sand bucket to collect as many as you can find! It’s a fun way to sneak in some exercise by walking the beach, and when it feels like an activity, it’s way easier for a toddler to stay engaged (and not protest the walk!).

We found so many beautiful seashells, and my son kept running back to the beach blanket to rinse them off and let them dry in the sun so we could paint them. Even though I have a craft-loving kid, I think he might have loved the seashell hunt even more than the painting!

We had so much fun using washable paint to decorate them. Thanks to the sunny, breezy weather, they dried super quickly. When we were finished, I tucked them all into a Ziploc bag. My plan is to use them to decorate a picture frame with a photo of him from the beach. It’ll be the sweetest keepsake! I think we just started a new beach tradition, and it kept him happily entertained on the beach blanket for a long while.

And when all the seashells were finished with their coat of paint, we moved on to bubbles! I don’t know where this kid gets his energy, but he must’ve done a hundred bubble-chasing sprints up and down the beach. It was the cutest thing. Bubbles are another simple but great beach activity! They’re easy to pack, entertaining for all ages, and perfect for burning off that endless toddler energy!

Beach Picnic Spread

pack your picnic for a fun day on the beach at seabrook!

When I’m on a trip, I usually love exploring and maybe spending just a few hours at the beach, but this trip was all about my son. I planned out all the meals for our first full beach day so he could soak in every bit of the ocean. I think this might be my favorite age yet. He’s turning into a little person with so many opinions, ideas, interests, and hilarious stories. He’s silly, a little too smart for his own good, and just so much fun to be around.

Watching him play on the beach for hours truly felt like living in a dream. I kept saying to myself, I need to plan another trip back ASAP. This kid deserves a childhood filled with beach memories like this.

For our beach picnic spread, I packed my homemade sourdough bread jalapeño pepper jack and a pesto pepperoni loaf along with fresh strawberries, tangerines, my Italian pasta salad, and some of my go-to chicken salad. It was the perfect mix of flavors for a laid-back beach lunch. I also tossed in some snack mixes from Target and, of course, my favorite AF mocktails, the chili margarita flavor was so good!

SOME OF THE BEST BEACH PICNIC RECIPES:

We headed to the Beach Club for a little pool swimming after!

Fun Things to Do With Kids in Kiawah & Seabrook Island

is seabrook island kid-friendly? yes!

• Rent Bikes
• Beach & Pool Day at Seabrook Beach Club
• Boat & Charter Tours
• Day trip to Charleston
• Kayaking
• Live Music and Games in the Square
• Night Heron Park – Kiawah Island Resort
• Playground at the Lakehouse Community Center
• South Carolina Aquarium
• Visit the Angel Oak Tree
• John’s Island Library

everything you need at freshfields village

Afternoon Shopping Freshfields Village

After our full day at the beach, we cleaned up and headed over to Freshfields Village for some sweet treats, food, coffee, and a little shopping.

The Station at Freshfields Village in Kiawah, SC

There’s a gas station/market called “The Station”, and it’s the most adorable convenience shop with ice cream, snacks, souvenirs, gas, and even some grab-and-go food options. Leave it to Kiawah to make a gas station aesthetic and charming! My son especially loved playing around the vintage gas pumps out front. It was such a cute little stop.

Ice Cream at Freshfields Village in Kiawah, SC

And as promised, we made our way to Ben & Jerry’s for a small kids’ ice cream cone. We all shared it, and it was so good—just the perfect afternoon sweet treat.

Lunch at Harvest

healthy food in kiawah

My husband was on the lookout for a healthy, quick bite for an afternoon meal, and I was definitely on the hunt for an afternoon coffee!

He ended up grabbing a Greek bowl from Harvest, which was right up his alley. Harvest is an awesome spot for smoothie bowls, rice bowls, and fresh, healthy eats, a perfect for a quick beach grab to eat by the water.

Coffee at Cafe Eugenia

must-visit coffee shop, bakery & cafe in kiawah

After booking our trip, my neighbor sent me a list of her favorite local spots, and Café Eugenia was right at the top. When I checked out their Instagram page, I was like OH YES my kind of place! And clearly, I wasn’t wrong, because we ended up going three times during our stay on the island.

I was so ready for an iced coffee, and when we spotted the zucchini bread, we had to try it. Both the coffee and the bread were amazing! I immediately knew this would be our go-to bike ride breakfast spot for the rest of the trip.

Café Eugenia is absolutely adorable inside, with plenty of seating both indoors and out. It has the kind of casual and cozy vibe that just makes you want to stay a while.

Dinner at La Tela Pizzeria

the best italian food in kiawah

We decided to spend the next few hours visiting shops, playing lawn games in the square, and strolling around before dinner and live music in the park and it was the perfect way to wind down the evening.

For dinner, we headed into La Tela Pizzeria, and I was so excited! We had walked by the day before, and I totally spied on some of the meals through the windows and everything looked so good.

We went all out and ordered a bunch of food: the Prosciutto di Parma pizza with EVOO, baby arugula, balsamic glaze, pecorino romano, and mozzarella (unreal!), jumbo meatballs, my favorite Italian soup, pasta fagioli, and chicken cutlets for my son. Of course, he only had about five bites since we let him snack on ice cream, chips, and zucchini bread earlier in the day. This is exactly why we try not to let him snack too much before meals because if he’s full of treats, dinner doesn’t stand a chance.

But we packed up the leftovers, knowing he’d ask for food a few hours later, and sure enough, we were right!

Live Music in the Square at FreshFields Village.

After dinner, we headed to the park and sat listening to the live band, and they were so good! One of the most surprising things about Kiawah and Seabrook was how lively everything felt, yet never crowded.

We never had to wait in lines, deal with traffic, struggle to get a reservation, or hunt for parking spots. Maybe it was just the time of year we traveled, but the entire area had such a calm, easygoing vibe, nowhere near as congested as some other beach towns we’ve visited. It made the whole trip feel even more relaxing.

Renting Bikes in Seabrook & Kiawah with Seaside Cycles

This was seriously one of the coolest things ever. Instead of having to go to a bike shop to pick up rentals, you can call Seaside Cycles, and they’ll deliver the bikes right to your rental! We called last minute—the night before—and when we woke up in the morning, our bikes (including the extra toddler wagon attachment) were already there, locked up to our bike rack. How amazing is that?

We had the bikes for 24 hours, and they came back to pick them up the next morning. If you’re staying in Seabrook, you absolutely must rent bikes. We spent the entire day riding around exploring, grabbing coffee, beach hopping and it was the best workout and such a fun way to see the island.

And the best part? My son loved it. Not only did he have the time of his life in that little bike wagon, but my non-napping, high-energy toddler actually fell asleep on the ride. A true vacation miracle, although short lived when I tried to transfer him to a bed.

We rode bikes to the park, stopped by to visit the horses, grabbed another round of coffee from Java Java Café, and cruised along all the scenic routes we could find. It was such a fun and peaceful way to explore the island. There’s truly nothing like riding through oak tree-lined paths, breezy marsh views, and charming beach roads with your little one in tow.

Breakfast at Cafe Eugenia

the best breakfast spot in kiawah

I wasn’t kidding when I said we planned to bike to Café Eugenia for breakfast the next day. After seeing all their grab-and-go breakfast items in the case the day before, I literally dreamed about it that night!

We ordered oat milk cappuccinos, fresh fruit, granola parfaits, blueberry muffins, breakfast sandwiches, and meat quiches. Everything was absolutely delicious and tasted so fresh and high quality. You can definitely expect a recipe blog from me soon! I’m determined to recreate their fruit and granola parfait. If I can get it right, it tasted like the granola was mixed with some kind of streusel topping, almost like what you’d add to a muffin top. It had the best texture and flavor ever, and I could not stop thinking about it.

In fact, I loved it so much I went back on our last day just to grab one for the ride home!

Café Eugenia is perfect for grab-and-go foods to take to the beach or on a picnic. If you’re renting a beach house and don’t feel like cooking, they have some of the best options to pack up and take with you! Honestly, if I hadn’t brought pounds of my own chicken salad with me, I definitely would’ve tried one of theirs. It all looked so good.

More Restaurants in Seabrook and Kiawah:

• Jasmine Porch at Kiawah Island Resort
• Saveurs Du Monde Café
• Hege’s Restaurant
• The Ocean Room at Kiawah Island Resort
• FortyEight Wine Bar & Kitchen
• Seabrook Island Beach Club
• Fuji Sushi Kiawah Island
• Café Eugenia
• The Salty Dog Café
• Periwinkle Kitchen
• Cantina 76
• The Co-Op Frosé & Eatery
• Java Jave Café
• La Tela Pizzeria
• The Station Convenience Store
• Harvest- Smoothies, Salads, & Bowls

After a fun day of biking around, we packed up the beach stuff and biked to the beach!

Beach Day at Seabrook (access 3B)

This time, we headed to Access 3B, and it instantly reminded me of the beaches in the Hamptons! It didn’t look like the typical South Carolina beaches we usually visit. The vibe was so peaceful and elevated, with dunes, tall grasses, and wide, quiet shoreline. It felt like a totally different escape.

This was on a Saturday, and the beaches were completely empty, not a single person in sight. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect, and honestly, I’d say we chose the BEST spot to visit in South Carolina.

We chatted with a couple during our trip who had just bought a place down there, and they told us they chose Seabrook because even in the peak of summer, the beaches stay peaceful and quiet. It truly felt like our own little hidden paradise.

And like all of our beach outings, we ended the day at the Beach Club. Once my son associates a pattern with something, he loves to stick to it and so wrapping up our beach days with a poolside swim became our little tradition.

The weather was perfect for a bike ride back to the rental, so I made sure to take the long way home to soak in the scenery and let the breeze dry out my saltwater hair a bit. Spoiler alert: it did absolutely nothing for the mascara smudged on my face! And of course, once we got back, I ended up having to shower anyway because that bike ride left me with a full-on frizz ball, not the cute beach waves I was hoping for.

The Salty Dog Cafe – Kiawah

live music & dinner with a view in kiawah

We had to play tourists and catch dinner with a view at The Salty Dog Café! They had amazing live music, plenty of outdoor seating for sunset-watching, and some pretty tasty food to go with it.

We told our son the story behind The Salty Dog and it’s about a captain and his dog who were lost at sea and he wanted to hear it over and over and over again. It was so sweet watching him get into it.

For my meal, I ordered the she crab soup and the grilled shrimp caprese salad. It came with wild American shrimp seasoned with their Jake Shake spice blend, mixed greens, fresh mozzarella, heirloom tomatoes, and a balsamic basil dressing. I have to be careful with shrimp because if it’s not wild-caught, it makes me super sick but this shrimp was so fresh and absolutely delicious!

We ordered my son’s favorite, the hushpuppies! Along with a side of chicken fingers, and he loved the chicken fingers! The hushpuppies actually tasted more like fried donuts than the classic kind. They were like a dessert just missing powdered sugar!

My husband ordered the honey mustard salmon with potatoes, and all of our food turned out amazing. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day.

Fun in the Square at Freshfields Village

After dinner, we walked over to the village square, and it was almost empty! I kept asking Kyle, “Where is everyone?” If you live in Kiawah or Seabrook, is it normal for it to be so quiet on a Saturday night?

We played a bunch of fun games in the square, and then walked over to Harris Teeter, where we let our son pick out a cake so we could sing him a little happy birthday celebration. It was the sweetest way to end our last night on vacation.

Beach Morning in Seabrook (access 4)

We were up bright and early for our last morning on the beach. This time, we checked out Access 4, and it was yet another incredible spot. We came across so many happy dogs out on their morning walks and chasing balls along the sand. My son even got some love from a few of the little ones! He’s completely dog-obsessed, so it was the perfect mix of beach time and puppies…his dream morning.

One of the most magical parts of our stay on Seabrook was that almost every single day, we were blessed with dolphin sightings! If you pay close attention to the water, you’re more than likely to spot them too. They swim right along the coast, and watching them is such a special, peaceful experience. Once one pod passes by, wait just a few minutes and another usually follows. It never stopped being magical.

If you’re looking for any of the outfits from this trip, I’ve linked them all at the bottom of the blog! I seriously love shopping for fun vacation outfits for my toddler. When I found out I was having a boy, I didn’t think shopping for boy clothes would be nearly as fun as it is for girls, but I was so wrong. I absolutely love it! The little tees, swim trunks, hats, it’s all just too cute.

Breakfast at Periwinkle Cafe John’s Island

breakfast spot with outdoor seating in kiawah

After getting cleaned up from the beach, packing up the car, and saying our goodbyes to Seabrook, we made one last stop for breakfast at Periwinkle Café, and I can’t recommend this place enough!

I’ll admit, Seabrook and Kiawah are definitely on the pricier side, but the high-quality food makes it totally worth it. That said, Periwinkle, located on John’s Island (just a few miles outside of Freshfields Village), was a pleasant surprise, super affordable, with amazing outdoor seating, a big menu, and food that was so good!

What we ordered at Periwinkle Café:

I started with a hot coffee and cream, and it was exactly what I needed. There’s something about a freshly brewed cup from a charming breakfast spot, especially when you’re sipping it on a front porch that just hits different. I’m all about the aesthetic when it comes to breakfast places; I like to feel as good as the food tastes.

Normally, I wouldn’t go for cinnamon rolls since I love making them at home, but something told me to try one, and I’m so glad I did! It tasted like a homemade version of a Pillsbury cinnamon roll, if that makes sense. It was fresh, fluffy, gooey, perfectly frosted, and had the best roll shape and texture. My son was a big fan, too.

I went a little out of my norm and ordered a sunrise breakfast burrito, and wow it totally hit the spot. I figured my husband would help me finish it so nothing went to waste, and he definitely did. He ordered a classic breakfast plate, and we got my son a mix of his favorite sides: bacon, fruit, and toast.

Shopping at Freshfields Village

We squeezed in one last bit of shopping at Freshfields Village before finally taking off around 1 p.m. I grabbed a coffee and my favorite yogurt from Café Eugenia for the ride home, picked up a few souvenirs, and found the cutest T-shirt for my mom.

I’m usually ready to head home after a trip, but for some reason, this time I just didn’t want to leave. There’s something so special about Seabrook and Kiawah, what a hidden gem of a destination. We made the sweetest memories, and I already can’t wait to plan our next visit.

We had THE BEST time ever on this trip. I truly didn’t want to leave, and now I’m already counting down the days until our next beach adventure. We have a trip planned to Hilton Head in July, but honestly… that feels way too far away. I think it’s safe to say I’ll be planning another beach getaway in between very, very soon.

Why You Need to Add Seabrook & Kiawah to Your Travel List

The ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SEABROOK ISLAND AND KIAWAH ISLAND SOUTH CAROLINA:

If you’re dreaming of a peaceful, family-friendly beach escape that still has amazing food, beautiful scenery, and plenty of charm! Seabrook Island and Kiawah Island need to be at the top of your list.

Here’s why we fell in love with this Lowcountry gem (and why I think you will, too):

• Stunning, Uncrowded Beaches: The beaches here are spacious, clean, and never feel packed, even on a Saturday in peak season. Each beach access point has its own unique charm, and you’ll feel like you’ve discovered your own little secret spot every time.
• Dolphin Sightings Daily: Not kidding! We saw dolphins every single day. Watching them swim along the coast was truly magical.
• Incredible Food & Coffee: From beachside dinners to cozy cafés, Seabrook and Kiawah have some seriously delicious eats. Café Eugenia, The Salty Dog, Java Java Café, La Tela Pizzeria, and Periwinkle Café were standouts.
• Bike-Friendly Bliss: Whether you’re cruising to coffee, riding the trails, or pulling your toddler in a wagon, the bike paths here are scenic and safe, perfect for a full day of exploring without a car.
• Perfect for Toddlers & Families: With playgrounds, pools, calm beaches, and nature around every corner, this area is a dream for little ones (and their parents).
• Freshfields Village: Boutique shopping, live music, lawn games, sweet treats, and easy access to all the best spots, it’s the hub you didn’t know you needed.

This trip reminded me how special it is to slow down, soak in the moments, and give your family the kind of vacation they’ll talk about for years. Seabrook and Kiawah are the kind of places that make you want to come back again and again.

So if you’re looking for a laid-back beach getaway full of charm, nature, and unforgettable memories! Seabrook and Kiawah are calling.

SOME OF THE BEST BEACH PICNIC RECIPES: