Figure Eight Island would be my pick over BHI Gated community, 8 miles up the ICQ from Wrightsville Beach
Bahama blue water in the sound beautiful beaches 6 miles from the north end to the south

Fun restaurants near by.. no condos, no motels, no shops, rent bikes rent golf carts.. you will never go anywhere else

Anonymous wrote:Kiawah is more than twice the size of Bald Head Island. It is NOT smaller. It has 20 miles of paved bike trails as well as 7 miles of bikeable hard-packed sand beach. There is lots to do, or nothing to do - your choice. I have been to both, and Kiawah is my preferred by far.

Fully agree!

Kiawah is more than twice the size of Bald Head Island. It is NOT smaller. It has 20 miles of paved bike trails as well as 7 miles of bikeable hard-packed sand beach. There is lots to do, or nothing to do - your choice. I have been to both, and Kiawah is my preferred by far.

Anonymous wrote:op what didn't you like about Kiawah?

Kiawah is a step up from bald head. You have to take a ferry to bald head.

I don't agree with this. I actually think Bald Head is nicer. My kids like Bald Head more. There's more to do. It's like an oasis. Kiawah is smaller and you have to leave to really do anything. I really like the beach clubs on Bald Head island. The Sanctuary on Kiawah is nice, but that's all there really is. Plus, there are no cars on Bald Head so it makes you slow down.

I have not been to either. But I would have to choose Bald Head Island just because of the name! Wherever you end up, enjoy, OP!

In August I would not recommend either it is stifling hot and muggy and buggy.

Anonymous wrote:I used to live a ferry ride away from Bald Head. It's a great beach, and you can take the ferry back to Carolina Beach or Southport, to give you some other options.

Everyone lives a ferry ride away from BHI. It's the only way to get there, unless you use your own boat

Bald head is a very quiet and serene beach vacation. No cheesy boardwalk and transport around the island (resort) is by bike and cart only. South port is a fun town, cute shops, casual beach restaurants like Provision Co.

We love Kiawah and BHI (have family who lived on the island) both. Bald head is quieter. But still good family destination.

Never been to Bald Head but love Kiawah -- been many times. Love the West Village area, right on the beach. We'll never stay in any of the inner or pond houses though -- don't want our kids or dog near the gators.

I used to live a ferry ride away from Bald Head. It's a great beach, and you can take the ferry back to Carolina Beach or Southport, to give you some other options.

We love Kiawah. Lots of activities for the kids at the nature center, calm beaches, great shelling. etc.

Been to both, although BHI was a looong time ago. I think of Kiawah as a good beach vacation spot for those who don't love beaches - it is a planned golf and tennis community that is located on a beach. You can also go to Charleston for a day. Vs. BHI which as I recall is a very low key beach spot, with not much to do besides enjoy the quiet beaches and related activities. BHI is more my taste but really depends on what you enjoy while on vacation.

op what didn't you like about Kiawah?

Kiawah is a step up from bald head. You have to take a ferry to bald head.

Anonymous wrote:Love Bald Head Island, have been going for years! No experience with Kiawah, though.

What makes it great? The beaches, or is there more?

Love Bald Head Island, have been going for years! No experience with Kiawah, though.

Tryig to find a place to go in August that's driving distance. Anyone have experience with both that recommend one over the other? We've been to Kiawah, which my husband really likes. I'm lukewarm on it, looking for some other options.

Or should we think about heading north instead?