Johns Island has long been the kind of place where you drive past something and think, that's coming soon? For a while now, a bright green, retro sign along Maybank Highway has been teasing exactly that.
The wait is over.
Sea Island Mini Golf & Arcade opened at 3414 Maybank Highway — two full 18-hole courses, 40+ arcade games, and yes, soft pretzels and slushies waiting for you inside.
Two Courses, One Great Excuse to Lose to Your Kid
The outdoor courses are named Alligator Alley and Swampville — which, honestly, are two of the best mini golf course names we've heard. Think fountains, sand traps, and mini bridges tucked behind a converted warehouse-style building.
Each hole is sponsored by a local business, and the first nine holes on each course are wheelchair accessible. Players can combine accessible holes across both courses to complete a full 18-hole round — a thoughtful design touch that makes the space genuinely inclusive.
A practice putting green rounds out the outdoor setup. Outdoor seating, picnic tables, and TVs (including the Golf Channel, naturally) add to the hang.
The Backstory
Co-owners Sandie and Michael Albenesius — who also run St. John's Kayaks and Boat Tours — say the idea grew from a simple gap they kept noticing: not enough to do for teens and families on Johns Island and nearby James Island.
It took several years to transform the former storage warehouse into what it is today. Two additional co-owners are part of the venture.
According to the Post & Courier, the venue has applied for a beer and wine license, and a food truck — pending permit — would bring pizza, fries, and chicken fingers to the mix. The indoor concessions counter will handle snacks and drinks in the meantime.
More Than Just Mini Golf
The owners aren't just thinking about casual rounds. Birthday parties, corporate outings, themed nights, and group events are all on the roadmap.
Initial hours run Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 8 p.m., with flexibility based on weather and demand. Expect hours to expand heading into summer.
Sea Island Mini Golf & Arcade feels like exactly the kind of place Johns Island has been quietly waiting for — fun, local, and just retro enough to feel a little special.
Grab your tiny pencil. Game on.
This is a summary of an article published in the Post & Courier. Click here if you'd like to read that article.
