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The Johns Islander

Curated by Mike Olson · eXp Realty

Online · Johns Island, SC · Seabrook · Kiawah

The Angel Oak's sprawling limbs on Johns Island

Guest guide · Johns Island

Your Johns Island guide

Today's tide and sunset, the nearest public beach, where to eat, things to do with kids, the rules and who to call — each line from the official page named beside it.

Last verified

Photo by Andrew Shelley on Unsplash

Your island guide

Staying on Johns Island?

Today’s tide and sunset are below, then the beach, places to eat, things to do with kids, the island rules and who to call. Add this page to your home screen and it opens like an app — no download, and it keeps working offline.

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Johns Island has no ocean beach of its own; the closest public beach is Kiawah Beachwalker Park. Which rules apply depends on the address: most of the island is either City of Charleston or unincorporated Charleston County.

Live on your phone · check it each morning

Today on Johns Island

Island Today

 

Weather

Asking the National Weather Service…

National Weather Service, Charleston

Tide · Kiawah River

Asking NOAA…

NOAA station 8667062, feet above mean lower low water

Sun & moon

Worked out on your device (NOAA solar method)

Dolphins · Captain Sams Inlet

Asking NOAA…

Town of Kiawah Island · Town of Seabrook Island

The ocean

— water

Asking the buoys…

Water: NOAA Charleston Harbor. Waves: NOAA buoys; forecast: NWS. Wind —.

High water watch

Asking NOAA…

At the Charleston Harbor gauge, the National Weather Service counts minor coastal flooding from 7.0 ft, moderate from 7.5 ft and major from 8.0 ft.

NOAA predictions, station 8665530; flood levels set by the National Weather Service

On Johns Island today

Beachwalker Park parking today

…

Source: Charleston County Parks, Kiawah Beachwalker Park

Rip currents

Today's beach forecast and rip current risk (National Weather Service) →

Check it each morning before you swim.

Getting on the sand

The beach

No ocean beach of its own

  • The closest public beach is Kiawah Beachwalker Park, before the Kiawah gate. Walk-ins and bikes get in free; cars pay by the month and day.

Source: Charleston County Parks, Kiawah Beachwalker Park, checked October 13, 2026.

Kiawah Beachwalker Park — open to everyone

  • 8 Beachwalker Dr, Kiawah Island, SC 29455. Run by Charleston County Parks; the park office is (843) 762-9964.
  • Walk-ins and bicyclists get in free. Gold Pass members park free all year. 150 spaces, usually full by mid-morning in summer. If it's full, staff can put you in a virtual line and text you as you near the front. The Town of Kiawah bans idling or parking outside the entrance.
  • Lifeguards: Weekends only through the end of September, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (Barrier Island Ocean Rescue). Swim only in the designated area.
  • Not allowed: alcohol (except designated areas with an approved application), smoking or vaping, fireworks, drones, confetti, glitter and balloons. Stay on the boardwalks over the dunes, and fill your holes before you leave.

Sources: Charleston County Parks, Kiawah Beachwalker Park · Charleston County Parks, park rules, checked October 13, 2026.

Beachwalker Park parking, per car

Kiawah Beachwalker Park parking, per car, per day
WhenPer car, per day
January & February$5
March$10
April$15
May through Labor Day — weekdays$15
May through Labor Day — weekends & holidays$25
September, after Labor Day$15
October$10
November & December$5

The county Gold Pass ($99 + tax; $84 + tax for Charleston County residents; $69 + tax at age 60 and over) parks free all year.

Sources: Charleston County Parks, Kiawah Beachwalker Park · Charleston County Parks, passes, checked October 13, 2026.

The full beach rulebook — parking, the Gold Pass, dogs (and whether they can be off-leash right now) and alcohol: beach access.

Coming in by Uber, Lyft or taxi, or getting around by golf cart, LSV or e-bike? The gate rules and getting around, island by island.

From the island directory

Eat, shop, rent, golf

Listed A to Z, never ranked — nobody pays to be here. Tap Directions for the live hours.

Where to eat21
Groceries, wine & spirits12
Coffee & treats2
Bikes, beach gear & boats6
Golf6
  • Cougar Point Golf CourseKiawah IslandBehind the security gate

    Gary Player course near the resort's front gate; open to the public, tee times by phone.

    DirectionsCallWebsite

    Source: kiawahresort.com

  • Osprey Point Golf CourseKiawah IslandBehind the security gate

    Tom Fazio course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort; open to the public, tee times by phone.

    DirectionsCallWebsite

    Source: kiawahresort.com

  • The Golf Learning CenterKiawah IslandBehind the security gate

    Golf lessons, clinics and schools at Kiawah Island Golf Resort.

    DirectionsCallWebsite

    Source: kiawahresort.com

  • The Ocean CourseKiawah IslandBehind the security gate

    Pete Dye course on the island's east end; Kiawah Island Golf Resort's courses are open to the public.

    DirectionsCallWebsite

    Source: kiawahresort.com

  • Turtle Point Golf CourseKiawah IslandBehind the security gate

    Jack Nicklaus course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort; open to the public, tee times by phone.

    DirectionsCallWebsite

    Source: kiawahresort.com

  • Oak Point Golf CourseJohns Island

    Clyde Johnston course run by Kiawah Island Golf Resort; open to the public, tee times by phone.

    DirectionsCallWebsite

    Source: kiawahresort.com

Everything else — pharmacies, pets, fishing charters, home services — is in the island directory.

Who can use each one is on its card

Things to do with kids

  • Angel Oak Park

    Open to the public

    City park around the Angel Oak tree; free, closed on holidays, no food or tripods at the tree.

    Source: charleston-sc.gov, checked October 13, 2026.

    DirectionsCallWebsite

  • Johns Island County Park

    Open to the public

    County park with equestrian trails, archery range, disc golf and an off-leash dog park.

    Source: ccprc.com, checked October 13, 2026.

    DirectionsCallWebsite

  • Legare Farms

    Open to the public

    Working farm on the Stono River: fall pumpkin patch, camps, Rent-A-Chick and farm products.

    Source: legarefarms.com, checked October 13, 2026.

    DirectionsCallWebsite

  • St Johns Kayaks & Boat Tours

    Open to the public

    Kayak and paddle tours, plus shelling, crabbing, shrimping and fishing boat trips.

    Source: stjohnskayaks.com, checked October 13, 2026.

    DirectionsCallWebsite

  • Kiawah Beachwalker Park

    Open to the public

    County beach park outside the gate: Kiawah's only public beach access; lifeguards in season, chair rentals, parking fee.

    Source: ccprc.com, checked October 13, 2026.

    DirectionsCallWebsite

  • Charleston Tea Garden

    Open to the public

    Working tea farm with trolley and factory tours, tastings and a gift shop.

    Source: charlestonteagarden.com, checked October 13, 2026.

    DirectionsCallWebsite

  • Camp Kiawah

    Open to the public · behind the security gate

    Resort day camps for ages 3–15 and Kid's Night Out; reservations required, open to non-guests at a standard rate.

    Source: kiawahresort.com, checked October 13, 2026.

    DirectionsCallWebsite

  • The Treehouse Activity Center

    Open to the public · behind the security gate

    Bowling, golf simulators, arcade, art studio and nature center; visitors not staying show a reservation at the gate.

    On Kiawah: visitors from off the island book an activity and show the confirmation email at the Kiawah gate; bookings open 60 days ahead.

    Source: kiawahresort.com, checked October 13, 2026.

    DirectionsCallWebsite
Paul Gelegotis Bridge over the Stono River between James and Johns Islands

The Stono River bridge.

Photo: Cantbeatpie, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (resized)

What a renter needs to know

Island rules

Which rules apply

  • Most of Johns Island is either City of Charleston or unincorporated Charleston County. Your host can tell you which; the County's parcel viewer shows it with the Municipal Limits layer on.

Sources: City of Charleston, how to check city limits · Charleston County parcel viewer, checked October 13, 2026.

How many can stay

  • City of Charleston: a short-term rental's owner lives on the property and stays overnight while guests are there, with at most 4 adult guests.
  • Unincorporated County: a Limited Home Rental is owner-occupied and rented up to 72 days a year.

Sources: City of Charleston, short-term rental permits · City of Charleston Zoning §§54-208, 54-208.3 (Municode) · Charleston County, short-term rental brochure (PDF), checked October 13, 2026.

Noise

  • City: amplified music outdoors that can be heard in the street is illegal 11 pm–7 am, and loud gatherings that disturb the peace are illegal at any hour.
  • County: amplified sound plainly audible inside another person's home is illegal, as is excessive sound plainly audible within 500 ft of a home or above 70 dBA — and any such sound between 10 pm and 7 am.

Sources: City of Charleston Code §§21-16, 21-17 (Municode) · Charleston County Code §§3-41 to 3-45 (Municode), checked October 13, 2026.

Fireworks

  • Inside City limits, using or even possessing fireworks is illegal except at permitted displays. Sparklers and toy caps are allowed.

Source: City of Charleston Code §13-191 (Municode), checked October 13, 2026.

Golf carts

  • A golf cart on a public road needs an SCDMV permit and insurance, and a licensed driver 16 or older carrying both. Daylight only, on roads posted 35 mph or less, within 4 miles of the cart's registered address.

Source: SC Department of Public Safety, golf carts, checked October 13, 2026.

Drones

  • Federal rules apply — check the FAA's B4UFLY before every flight. Charleston Executive Airport (JZI) is on Johns Island.
  • Drones are banned at Beachwalker Park and anywhere on Kiawah without a Town permit.

Sources: FAA, B4UFLY · Town of Seabrook Island, visitor information · Charleston County Parks, park rules · Town of Kiawah Island, beach regulations, checked October 13, 2026.

Alligators

  • Feeding alligators is illegal in South Carolina. Feeding fish, turtles or birds where gators live, or dumping fish scraps, feeds them too.

Source: SCDNR, nuisance alligators, checked October 13, 2026.

Fishing and crabbing

  • Anyone 16 or older needs a South Carolina saltwater fishing license, and it covers clams and oysters too.
  • No license is needed on a licensed public pier, on a charter you've hired, or with 3 or fewer drop nets, fold-up crab traps or hookless lines.

Sources: SC hunting & fishing licenses (eRegulations) · SCDNR, buy a license, checked October 13, 2026.

Hazards, and who to call

Safety

Emergency room and urgent care

  • MUSC Health Emergency Room – Kiawah Partners PavilionSeabrook Island Rd

    24-hour freestanding emergency room on Seabrook Island Road; the building also holds MUSC doctors' offices.

    DirectionsCallWebsite

    Source: euc.muschealth.org

  • Roper St. Francis Express Care – Maybank HwyMaybank Hwy

    Walk-in urgent care.

    DirectionsCallWebsite

    Source: rsfh.com

Rip currents

  • Check the National Weather Service's Charleston beach forecast each morning — it rates the day's rip current risk.
  • Caught in one? The Weather Service's page shows how to get out.

Sources: National Weather Service Charleston, beach forecast · National Weather Service, rip currents, checked October 13, 2026.

Lightning

  • When a storm builds, get off the beach and out of the water.

Source: National Weather Service, lightning safety, checked October 13, 2026.

Cuts and salt water

  • Keep open cuts out of salt and brackish water — Vibrio bacteria can infect wounds. See a doctor fast if a wound turns red or swollen after a swim.

Source: CDC, Vibrio and wounds, checked October 13, 2026.

Hurricanes (June 1 – November 30)

  • Johns Island is in Evacuation Zone B, with Zone C behind it. Check your address on Know Your Zone.

Sources: SCEMD, 2026 evacuation zones (PDF) · SCEMD, Know Your Zone, checked October 13, 2026.

Going out on a boat, a kayak or a paddleboard? The five rules for every trip on the water.

More from the guide

Beach access →Beachwalker parking by month, the Gold Pass, Seabrook's rulesThe island directory →Every place, with its sourceFlood zone →FEMA's zone for any addressKiawah Island guide →The same guide, for Kiawah IslandSeabrook Island guide →The same guide, for Seabrook IslandWadmalaw Island guide →The same guide, for Wadmalaw IslandExcursions →Dolphin, sunset, shelling and kayak trips, A to ZGetting here and around →The airports, the gates, carts, LSVs, e-bikes and shuttlesFarms and stands →The farms you can visit or buy from on Johns Island and WadmalawSea Island Farmers Market →When and where it runsThe Johns Island tomato →The story, and where to buy them nowOwn or manage a rental? →Make a free printable guest card for it

Keep going

Wooden dock with rope rails running out over spartina marsh and a tidal creek at sunset

Supplied by Mike Olson

Two ways in

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