Roof Repair in Kiawah Island, SC

South Carolina has seen orange mud gators, ice gators and giant gators … but what about a pollen gator?

Turns out this year’s pollen season is covering more than our cars in a blanket of yellow.

The latest spotting of this “rare yellow alligator” was on Kiawah Island at the Cassique Golf Course.

This gator was completely covered in pollen and spotted by a nearby golfer who snapped these photos:

This year’s pollen season has no doubt felt worse than normal for Lowcountry residents.

“This year has been an aberration weather-wise,” said Dr. Thomas Beller of the Hilton Head Allergy & Asthma Center. “With the influx of warm and cold weather this year, it makes sense that some tree pollen has been more active than normal.”

South Carolina is often ranked as one of the worst states for allergies. The combination of warmer climates and plants blooming earlier results in higher concentrations of pollen, making for a treacherous allergy season.

In the Lowcountry, it’s generally pollen from oak and bayberry trees that cause the most misery for people with allergies.

The marker of the season comes from pine pollen, which is notorious for covering our cars, porches, sidewalks and even gators in a blanket of yellow.

Alligators are cold-blooded creatures, which means their immune systems are easily affected by the temperatures outside.

“We don’t have much research right now that would indicate that pollen affects alligators,” South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Alligator Project Leader, Morgan Hart, said. “But the pollen will stick to them and washes off like normal once they get to the water.”

Springtime is when most alligators become active again. As temperatures steadily warm up, they are more likely to be seen out and about.

According to the SCDNR, young alligators can be seen moving into bodies of water, females enter their breeding period in April and adult alligators are likely to be seen basking in the sun or eating.

With alligators venturing out, more of these pollen gators might be spotted around the Lowcountry soon.

About: Tucked into the serene landscape of South Carolina’s coveted barrier island, Ocean Pines represents a new pinnacle in luxury coastal living. Situated in West Beach, Kiawah’s newest residential enclave, this exclusive collection of seven buildings showcases a blend of modern design and classic Lowcountry charm. Thoughtfully designed two-, three- and four-bedroom residences are nestled among layers of coastal pines and overlook a central lagoon. Walking paths and quiet gathering spaces enhance the natural tranquility of the community. Among these exceptional residences, 1341 Beachwalker Drive stands out as a rare offering. One of only two four-bedroom homes available in the development, this fourth-floor retreat spans an impressive 3,232 square feet. Surrounded by lush maritime forest and perched above Kiawah’s sweeping landscape, the home embraces a calming color palette inspired by the sea, sand and sky — subtle ocean blues, weathered grays and muted greens drawn from the island’s untouched environment. A double-height design fills the space with natural light, while expansive windows and sliding glass doors offer panoramic views of the Kiawah River and surrounding pines. As part of the Ocean Pines community, residents also enjoy proximity to the newly introduced amenities at The Cape, including a sleek oceanfront infinity pool, al fresco dining at the bar and grill and a state-of-the-art fitness center — all within walking distance. With the purchase of a Kiawah Island Club membership, residents can access even more, including exclusive golf, dining and wellness experiences. The private club offers two of the top 100 residential golf courses in the country and is the gateway to the Island’s social and recreational lifestyle. Kiawah Island itself is a masterclass in coastal preservation and luxury. Just 21 miles south of Charleston, this 10-mile-long barrier island offers more than 30 miles of bike trails, world-class amenities and a collection of seven elite golf courses, including the legendary Ocean Course that has hosted the Ryder Cup and multiple PGA Championships.

A South Carolina beach ranks among the nation’s best places for sand and surf — again.

Beachwalker Park on Kiawah Island is No. 6 on a list of the top 10 coastal destinations in the United States. The results were published Thursday, May 22, the Naples Daily News reported.

The list comes from coastal scientist Stephen P. Leatherman, also known as Dr. Beach. To determine the top shorelines across the country, he studied 650 public beaches for several factors, including sand texture, water temperature, rip currents and pollution, according to his website and a news release.

“50 (criteria) with a sliding scale from 1 to 5 are used to measure beach quality,” Dr. Beach wrote. “The survey was primarily designed for swimming beaches, but this information is also used to determine the best beaches for walking, scenery, sports, and other activities.”

Beachwalker Park was the only place in South Carolina to land on the national list. The destination, a roughly 25-mile drive south from the popular travel spot of Charleston, was praised for offering visitors clean water that “provides fantastic seafood.”

“This is a nature-lovers coast so visitors can bring their canoes and kayaks to paddle through the tidal inlets,” Dr. Beach wrote. “It is also fun to walk or bicycle down the fine-grained sand beach to Captain Sam’s Inlet to see thousands of birds.”

The park — which said it has seasonal lifeguards, a boardwalk and other amenities — isn’t a stranger to receiving praise. Last year, it landed in the No. 5 spot on Dr. Beach’s list, The Sun News reported.

This time around, Dr. Beach said the nation’s No. 1 coastal destination was Coopers Beach on New York’s Long Island. Rounding out the top five:

JOHNS ISLAND — A revised plan to create a 933-acre members-only golf course subdivision on Johns Island calls for the developers to pay more than $2.1 million toward affordable housing efforts and emergency vehicles.

The Orange Hill investment group is offering those and other incentives as it seeks a 10-year development contract with Charleston County, which would lock in zoning and fee rules for a decade.

Such agreements give builders certainty about regulations and costs — that wouldn't change during the life of a contract — and usually offer public benefits in return. Land, money and minor road improvements are the most common concessions offered.

“It was a long negotiation with the (county) staff," said Jordan Phillips, a managing partner at South Street Partners.

South Street in 2013 acquired Kiawah Partners, master developer of Kiawah Island. The nearby Orange Hill development on Johns Island would include a private golf course with up to 120 homes and 68 guest cottages.

Development plans for the former farm date back to 2005, and what was previously approved would have allowed 181 homes. Updated plans with the golf course were rolled out in 2022.

County Councilman Joe Boykin of Johns Island said the plan now on the table "is about as good as it gets" because compared to the previously approved plan it calls for fewer houses and fewer miles of internal roads. It further shifts the entrance path from Bohicket Road to River Road.

The money the developers are offering is also a plus, Boykin said.

"It wouldn't call it 'impact fees' but it's sort of like that with a development agreement," he said. "It's good to have these contributions."

The county does not collect impact fees when new homes and businesses are built, but it has negotiated multiple contracts for large-scale developments, and those have resulted in contributions of land or money for public purposes.

The nearby Kiawah River development, for example, has an agreement with the county that requires construction of up to 117 units of "housing for the workforce" as part of the 1,428-acre project.

“It just has to conform to the state law on development agreements, then it’s up to council," said Andrea Melocik, the county's deputy director of zoning and planning.

Boykin noted that at a May 12 Planning Commission meeting no one spoke in opposition to the Orange Hill plan and that comments submitted by the public were running 10-to-1 in favor. The commission voted unanimously to recommend approval.

The Orange Hill developers are offering:

Phillips of South Street said it made sense to direct some of the affordable housing money to the Sea Island Habitat group because "something like 60 percent of our employees are from Johns Island or Wadmalaw."

The developers are seeking:

Plans submitted to the county say there are 3,125 grand or protected trees on the property, 418 of which would be removed. Phillips said the development group will be "setting up the first Johns Island-specific tree fund" for mitigation efforts, which would involve planting trees to replace those cut down "on an inch-by-inch basis."

Of the 933 acres in the development plan, 305 are wetlands. A 212-acre portion of the property, 90 acres of which are high ground, would be left undeveloped and protected with a conservation easement.

The development schedule calls for the golf course to be constructed first, potentially opening in the fall of 2027, before any homes. The property is currently used as a sporting club, with activities such as skeet shooting.

As an exclusive club, property ownership is required in order to buy a Kiawah Island Club membership. That could be one of the new homes, one of the guest cottages or a share in a portion of undeveloped land that won't be built upon.

The guest cottages are "only for members and sponsored guests of the club," said Phillips, and won't be available to rent by the general public.

The Kiawah Club also operates the River Course, Cassique and other resort amenities on Kiawah Island.

Reach David Slade at 843-937-5552. Follow him on X @DSladeNews.

And it offers lots of amenities for sun seekers too.

In This Article

Any time spent at the beach is sure to put you in a vacation state of mind. And while there are many important things to consider when planning a trip, blue waters and white sand beaches always earn bonus points. The good news is that if you're heading to South Carolina with family or friends this summer, the beaches are all truly magnificent so there's no wrong decision.

The Best Girlfriend Getaways In South Carolina To Plan Now

The Bluest Water In South Carolina

Coligny Beach on Hilton Head Island is where you should head for the bluest waters. Hilton Head is famous for its beaches, so it’s no surprise that the waters here are extra beautiful. While a good amount of Hilton Head is home to high-end resorts with private beach access, Coligny Beach is open free to the public, which makes it one of the most popular places on the island. Read on to learn more about this spectacular spot.

What Makes Coligny Beach’s Water So Blue?

The sand on Hilton Head Island is bright white, blissfully soft, and very fine, and the water is shallow, especially at low tide. Both of these qualities can make the water appear sparkling blue. When the ocean is relatively calm and shallow, there is also less plankton, sand, particles, and other materials constantly churning in the waves, which gives the water a clearer appearance.

There’s a scientific reason as well, of course. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, this phenomenon occurs when light passes through water and absorbs colors in the red part of the light spectrum, leaving colors on the blue end of the color spectrum.

How To See Coligny Beach’s Water

Coligny Beach, the most popular public beach on Hilton Head Island, is a local favorite for more than its aquamarine waters. It’s easy to access, thanks to a beautifully designed park that includes a pathway and boardwalk that leads you straight onto the sand.

The Coligny Beach Park also has lots of amenities too: gazebos with swings, a fountain with synchronized jets, seating areas (including rocking chairs), beach matting for wheelchair access, outdoor showers, and a free parking area. The Breeze, which is Hilton Head's free public trolley, makes stops as well. (Just be sure to check the seasonal schedule.) It’s truly a beach that everyone can appreciate—for the magical color of the ocean, and more.