Excellence Luxury Villas · Johns Island
Luxury Villa Rentals in Johns Island
Lowcountry houses among live oaks, salt marsh and tidal creeks, half an hour from downtown Charleston
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Live oaks, tidal creeks and Charleston down the road
Johns Island is the largest island in South Carolina, and the fourth largest on the East Coast of the United States after Long Island, Mount Desert Island and Martha's Vineyard. The tidal Stono River separates it from the mainland. Its first English settlers came from Barbados and named it after the parish of St John they had left behind. The island is still known for its farms, and the tomatoes are the local pride.
Our Johns Island collection runs to 37 villas and houses. They range from creekside cottages to large family houses with private pools and views over the marsh towards the sea, and most sit along the Bohicket Road corridor towards Kiawah and Seabrook.
Here is where to base yourself, when to come and how to spend the days.
Johns Island at a glance
- Villas
- 37 on Johns Island, with up to 7 bedrooms
- Guide prices
- Typically £5,000 to £12,500 a week, from around £3,700
- Best areas
- Bohicket Creek near Kiawah and Seabrook, and the north of the island for Charleston
- Best time
- March to May and October to November; July and August are hot and humid
- Getting there
- Charleston International Airport, typically around 30 to 45 minutes by road
Browse all 37 villas in Johns Island
Villa numbers and guide prices are updated daily from our live collection.
House Angel Oak Johns Island: Luxury 7-Bedroom House with Beachfront Views – Johns Island7 bedrooms
Manor Palmetto Johns Island: Luxury Villa with Seaview & Pool & 1 Bedroom – Johns Island1 bedrooms
Villa Levante Helmsman Johns Island: Luxury 5-Bedroom Beachfront House with Tennis Court – Johns Island5 bedrooms
Villa Levante Kiawah Johns Island: 5-Bedroom Luxury Villa with Infinity Pool & Sea Views – Johns Island5 bedroomsWhere to stay in Johns Island
Bohicket Creek and the south of the island for the marina and the beaches of Kiawah and Seabrook, the north end for quick runs into Charleston, and the rest of South Carolina beyond.
Farm stands, moss and a very old tree
Johns Island moves at a different pace from Charleston. Most of the south of the island stays rural by design, with tight limits on building, so the drive along Bohicket Road takes you under live oaks hung with Spanish moss and past farm stands and horse paddocks.
The great sight is the Angel Oak, a southern live oak that is thought to be 400 to 500 years old. It stands around 20 metres tall, and its longest limbs reach about 57 metres from end to end. It is free to visit, and it is best seen early, before the coach parties arrive.
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Boats, dolphins and the beaches next door
The island is ringed by water: the Stono, Kiawah and Edisto rivers, with Bohicket Creek running down its southern edge. Bohicket Marina is a deepwater harbour set between Kiawah and Seabrook, and it is a good place for charters, fishing trips and a sundowner by the boats. Dolphins in the creeks are a common sight.
Johns Island is mostly marsh and farmland rather than sand. For the beach you cross over to Kiawah or Seabrook, a few minutes south. Golfers will know Kiawah's Ocean Course, which has hosted the Ryder Cup and the PGA Championship.
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Half an hour to the Battery
Downtown Charleston is around 30 minutes away, so you can spend the morning on the water and still be on King Street for dinner. The old city has pastel houses on Rainbow Row, gardens hidden behind wrought-iron gates, the waterfront promenade of the Battery and some of the best restaurants in the American South.
From late May into June, the Spoleto Festival USA fills the city's theatres and churches with opera, dance and chamber music. It is a good reason to time a visit.
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Shrimp, tomatoes and the right months
This is Lowcountry cooking country. Expect shrimp and grits, local crab, and a Lowcountry boil of shrimp, sausage, corn and potatoes tipped out across a newspaper-covered table. Johns Island tomatoes are prized in summer, and the oysters taste best in the cooler months. The Charleston Tea Garden is just across the water on neighbouring Wadmalaw Island.
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons. Summer is hot and humid, and the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November. Our concierge can arrange boat charters, tee times, a private chef and restaurant tables in Charleston.
Ask our conciergeFeatured villas in Johns Island
House Angel Oak Island: Luxury 7-Bedroom Villa with Seaview & Pool – Johns Island7 bedrooms · sleeps 16From £12,243 a week
House Kiawah JohnsIsland: Luxury 4-Bedroom House with Pool & Seaviews – Johns Island4 bedrooms · sleeps 10From £10,913 a week
Villa Gloaming Dewees Island Johns Island: Luxury 5-Bedroom House with Seaview & Pool – Johns Island5 bedrooms · sleeps 12From £9,415 a week
Villa Helm Seabrook Johns Island: Luxury 5-Bedroom Villa with Sea Views & Tennis Court – Johns Island5 bedrooms · sleeps 10From £8,512 a week
Villa Alba Bohicket Johns Island: Luxury 4-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool – Johns Island4 bedrooms · sleeps 10From £8,463 a week
House Drayton JohnsIsland: Luxury 4-Bedroom Villa with Pool & Seaview – Johns Island4 bedrooms · sleeps 10From £8,449 a week
Manor Live Oak Johns Island: Luxury 4-Bedroom Villa with Seaview & Pool – Johns Island4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £7,448 a week
Villa Boreas Bohicket Johns Island: Luxury 4-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool – Johns Island4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £7,427 a weekWhy book your Johns Island villa with Excellence Luxury Villas
The right house, not the nearest one
Johns Island is large and mostly rural, so we can tell you which houses are minutes from the Kiawah and Seabrook beaches and which are closer to Charleston. With 37 properties in Johns Island, we can usually find the house that suits you rather than the one that happens to be free. Search by size, pool, location and price, or tell us what you have in mind and we will put together a shortlist.
Book direct
You book with us directly, with no booking fees. Questions about access, parking, pool heating or how far it really is to the nearest beach go to people who can find out the answer.
A concierge who knows the territory
Boat charters and dolphin trips from Bohicket Marina, tee times at Kiawah, a private chef for a Lowcountry boil, Charleston restaurant reservations, car hire and airport transfers. Our concierge team arranges all of it, leaving you free to decide which terrace to sit on.
A house for every kind of party
Couples, families with small children, three generations together or a crowd of friends celebrating a birthday: we match the house to the group, down to the number of bathrooms and whether the pool is fenced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to stay on Johns Island?
If you want the marina, Kiawah's beaches and its golf close at hand, stay in the south of the island along Bohicket Road and the creek. The north end, near the Stono River, is quicker for trips into downtown Charleston.
When is the best time to visit Johns Island?
March to May and October to November bring warm days without the heavy summer humidity. July and August are hot. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November, so it is worth keeping your plans flexible in late summer.
Does Johns Island have its own beaches?
Not really. The island is mostly salt marsh, creeks and farmland. The nearest beaches are on Kiawah and Seabrook, a short drive south, and Folly Beach is also within easy reach.
Can you arrange a private chef at a villa in Johns Island?
Yes. Our concierge can arrange a private chef for a single dinner or your whole stay, along with cookery lessons, guided visits, transfers and restaurant reservations.
How much does a luxury villa in Johns Island cost?
Across our 37 villas in Johns Island, weekly rates typically range from £5,000 to £12,500, with the most affordable from around £3,700 a week and the largest estates well above. Prices depend on the size of the property, its location and the season, with July and August the most expensive. These are guide prices based on current listings; each property page shows its own rates for your dates.
How do I get to Johns Island from the UK?
Fly to Charleston International Airport, usually with one connection. From there it is typically around 30 to 45 minutes by road. Private aircraft can use Charleston Executive Airport, which is on the island itself. Our concierge can arrange transfers.
Are there villas in Johns Island for large groups?
Yes. Our Johns Island collection includes properties with up to 7 bedrooms. Tell us the size of your party and the occasion, and we will send a shortlist that suits it.
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Find your villa in Johns Island
37 villas and houses on Johns Island, booked direct with our concierge on hand