Kiawah Island

[Anonymous]

A good place to see alligators is in the lagoon behind the clubhouse at Osprey Point Golf Course (where the Cherrywood Alehouse is). I’ve never been there in warm weather and not seen several.

You might want to consider renting a condo that backs up to a lagoon. There is at least one alligator in virtually very lagoon and they like to sun themselves on the bank on sunny, cool days. On hot or cloudy days you’re more likely to see them in the water.

There is no need to worry about the alligators as long as you do not get near them.

With regard to other wildlife, the deer are so tame that they barely move when you walk or bike past them. There are many types of water birds, including egrets, blue herons, and pelicans (though it may be a bit early for the large flocks of pelicans that are there in the summer).

You may get lucky and see a bobcat, but they are much less frequently spotted than most of the wildlife.

Oh, and I shouldn’t forget the anoles - the little lizards that change from green to brown and are fun to watch.

Have a great trip!

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate the helpful responses. We definitely won’t get too close and a great tip in general to not go close to the water’s edge. We have never been that far down south so we are excited.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A good place to see alligators is in the lagoon behind the clubhouse at Osprey Point Golf Course (where the Cherrywood Alehouse is). I’ve never been there in warm weather and not seen several.

You might want to consider renting a condo that backs up to a lagoon. There is at least one alligator in virtually very lagoon and they like to sun themselves on the bank on sunny, cool days. On hot or cloudy days you’re more likely to see them in the water.

There is no need to worry about the alligators as long as you do not get near them.

With regard to other wildlife, the deer are so tame that they barely move when you walk or bike past them. There are many types of water birds, including egrets, blue herons, and pelicans (though it may be a bit early for the large flocks of pelicans that are there in the summer).

You may get lucky and see a bobcat, but they are much less frequently spotted than most of the wildlife.

Oh, and I shouldn’t forget the anoles - the little lizards that change from green to brown and are fun to watch.

Have a great trip!

Special thanks PP. I really appreciate your thoughtful response. Thanks for taking the time!

[Anonymous]

Google Dolphin swarming/feeding -- at certain known times they cluster in the river separating Kiawah and Seabrook and do this wild thrashing where they come partly into shore to feed. It's very cool. We only saw one do it and a park ranger was there to tell us what she often sees

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Remember the kid who was killed by an alligator near Disney a few years back?

Yeah, the one wading into water where Alligators are AND signs that said stay out of the water?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone! I appreciate the helpful responses. We definitely won’t get too close and a great tip in general to not go close to the water’s edge. We have never been that far down south so we are excited.

Kiawah is gorgeous and feels like you're worlds away, the spanish moss lined live oaks are stunning.

There will be signs where alligators are known to be.

[Anonymous]

I agree that I felt like I saw an alligator in every pond in the development. And the ponds are reasonably big. An alligator is not going to sprint 50 yards to jump out and eat you without you noticing it first. That said, keep your eyes open when walking on paths. I would not want to encounter one unexpectedly.

[Anonymous]

You can do a dolphin ride through the resort. https://kiawahresort.com/recreation/boat-charters/dolphin-encounters/ We did one a few years ago and saw several dolphins and the guide was great.

There are alligators everywhere. Agree that the easiest places to see them are on the banks near the lagoons. When I was a kid we went fishing here and there were always a few that would come and lurk. https://maps.app.goo.gl/h5W8E7gzKAmwq5a39

You can also bike to areas like the Preserve and see lots of birds and other wildlife. https://www.kiawahisland.com/communities/vanderhorst/the-preserve/

We've never done this but seems like it would be a good fit for you! https://kiawahresort.com/recreation/land-tours/wildlife-in-the-wetlands/

[Anonymous]

We always see gators - every single time. And yes, I feel perfectly safe. They stay in the "bogs". I have seen dolphins a few times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Google Dolphin swarming/feeding -- at certain known times they cluster in the river separating Kiawah and Seabrook and do this wild thrashing where they come partly into shore to feed. It's very cool. We only saw one do it and a park ranger was there to tell us what she often sees

It's called strand feeding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can do a dolphin ride through the resort. https://kiawahresort.com/recreation/boat-charters/dolphin-encounters/ We did one a few years ago and saw several dolphins and the guide was great.

There are alligators everywhere. Agree that the easiest places to see them are on the banks near the lagoons. When I was a kid we went fishing here and there were always a few that would come and lurk. https://maps.app.goo.gl/h5W8E7gzKAmwq5a39

You can also bike to areas like the Preserve and see lots of birds and other wildlife. https://www.kiawahisland.com/communities/vanderhorst/the-preserve/

We've never done this but seems like it would be a good fit for you! https://kiawahresort.com/recreation/land-tours/wildlife-in-the-wetlands/

Thanks!!

[Anonymous]

If you stay at the sanctuary they offer guided alligator tours and also have a little reptile center where they have baby alligators. The tour was awesome. We also saw gators under a footbridge at one of the off property pools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Remember the kid who was killed by an alligator near Disney a few years back?

Yeah, the one wading into water where Alligators are AND signs that said stay out of the water?

This, why do people highlight stupidity as unexpected trauma.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Remember the kid who was killed by an alligator near Disney a few years back?

Yeah, the one wading into water where Alligators are AND signs that said stay out of the water?

This, why do people highlight stupidity as unexpected trauma.

At the time, the signs only said "no swimming" and he wasn't swimming. He was filling a sand bucket at the water's edge. Also there were no signs warning about alligators at the time. It's easy to judge after the fact. May he rest in peace.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Remember the kid who was killed by an alligator near Disney a few years back?

Yeah, the one wading into water where Alligators are AND signs that said stay out of the water?

This, why do people highlight stupidity as unexpected trauma.

At the time, the signs only said "no swimming" and he wasn't swimming. He was filling a sand bucket at the water's edge. Also there were no signs warning about alligators at the time. It's easy to judge after the fact. May he rest in peace.

You're a f'ing idiot if you don't know alligators live in water in FL. Full stop.