Things to Do on Hilton Head Island
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With miles of beaches, bike paths, and wildlife preserves – there are many ways to enjoy Hilton Head Island. The South Carolina island, known for its fun resort communities and natural beauty, will wow you with its “low-country” charm. Use our list of things to do on Hilton Head Island for an overview of the area’s attractions.
Randy and I have traveled to Hilton Head Island several times. What we love about the area is that it works equally well for a couple’s vacation or a week of family fun. The island is rimmed by magnificent white sand beaches. Its interior is a mix of marshes, maritime forests, and world-class golf courses.
By day build sandcastles, paddle a kayak off the coast, or try your hand at deep sea fishing. By night enjoy a romantic dinner, take a sunset cruise, or a walk on the beach. Paddleboard, hike, shop, or play a round of pickleball. The possibilities are endless. Read on to get an idea of some of the most popular things to do on Hilton head Island.
WHERE IS HILTON HEAD ISLAND
Hilton Head Island is located off the southern coast of South Carolina in the United States. The island is situated close to the border of Georgia, and is about 20 miles northeast of Savannah (the closest major international airport). Most visitors will arrive on-island by car.
While there is only one town (Hilton Head) on the island, the area is separated into six distinct communities, or “plantations.” The plantations are Sea Pines, Palmetto Dunes, Long Cove, Indigo Run, Wexford, and Hilton Head Plantation.
Consider these trusted travel resources in planning your trip:
BEST TIME TO GO TO HILTON HEAD ISLAND
Summer brings the best beach weather with temperatures in the 80s and 90s (F). However, crowds are at peak and prices are high. Winter has the smallest crowds with temperatures averaging in the 40’s (F). The best time to go to Hilton Head Island is in the spring and fall when temperatures are warm enough for outdoor activities and the crowds are below peak levels.
TIP: Check the island’s event calendar before booking your week to avoid large festivals and golf tournaments.
BEST HOTELS ON HILTON HEAD ISLAND
As a resort island, there are many types of accommodations to choose from including hotels, air bnbs, and condominium complexes. Prices are higher for waterfront units.
Consider these well-reviewed hotels:
Inn & Club at Harbour Town - Sea Pines Resort: Luxury 4-star hotel by golf course and Harbour Town Lighthouse
Omni Hilton Head Ocean Front Resort: Family Friendly resort in Palmetto Dunes
Marriott's Grande Ocean: Tropical resort with spacious rooms. We have stayed here - loved it!
THINGS TO DO ON HILTON HEAD ISLAND
Explore Hilton Head Island Beaches
With 12 miles of gorgeous white sand beaches, Hilton Head Island has the distinction of being one of the top family beach destinations in the US. Wide and pristine, the beaches are great for sunbathing, sandcastles, fishing, body surfing, and riding bikes at low tide.
From the sea to the high water mark, all of the beaches rimming Hilton Head Island are open to the public. Most of the public beaches have large paid parking lots. A number of public beach parks are equipped with wheel chair accessible beach mats. There is a seasonal trolley service with drop off and pick up at island beaches.
Around the island, look for these popular public beaches:
Burke’s Beach
Coligny Beach
Driessen Beach
Fish Haul Beach
Folly Field Beach
Islanders Beach
South Beach
DAY TRIPS TO SAVANNAH GEORGIA
Enjoy Being Out on the Sea
Hilton Head is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, and blessed with some of the warmest waters on the Eastern Seaboard. Don’t miss an opportunity to explore the open-water. Our family always loves a dolphin watch, but there are many other sea-based tours and attractions.
Try sailing, deep-sea fishing, waterskiing, or a boat ride to Daufuskie Island. You can spend the day searching for marine life in a nature reserve or rent a boat and charter your own adventure.
Try these tours:
Pick Up a New Watersport
On Hilton Head, you can enjoy the surf right from the shore. There are shops and beach kiosks all over the coast that can supply you with equipment for water sports. Paddleboarding, kayaking, surfing, and jet skiing are all popular past times. You can rent on your own or take a guided tour:
Indulge in a Round of Golf
Golf is played year-round on Hilton Head Island. The island boasts some 26 golf courses; many stay open even in the winter. Courses vary in layout and difficulty. Spring and fall are considered peak golf playing seasons when the weather is not too hot or too cool. There are golf courses in all six Hilton Head plantations.
Go Biking on Hilton Head Island
Along with golf, biking is one of the most popular things to do on Hilton Head Island. The island is one of the most bike-friendly communities in the country. The island offers over 70 miles of paved pathways that wind through plantations linking the beaches to towns. Add to this, another 12 miles of beaches, with hard-packed sand just right for beach bikes, and the scene is set for a relaxing beach holiday.
There are bike rental shops offering daily and weekly rates on every plantation (and many hotels have bikes to sign out for free). The island also has a free map of trails available. When we vacation on Hilton Head, Randy and I pick a resort where we can park the car, and then bike to most locations throughout the week.
Try these biking tours:
Discover the Surrounding Lowcountry
The islands and mainland area surrounding Hilton Head Island are rich in regional charm. The area is known as the Lowcountry for its distinctive salt marshes, tidal creeks, subtropical forests, and Gullah culture. A day trip to this area is always fun.
Historic Bluffton is a lively town to the east of Hilton Head valued for its arts scene. Daufuskie Island is a neighboring sea island that celebrates its Gullah heritage and a relaxed atmosphere. And, keep in mind, Savannah – with its cemeteries, squares, shopping, and ghost tours – is only a short 20 miles away.
Sign up for one of these tours:
Try Your Hand at Tennis or Pickleball
Hilton Head Island is a hot-spot for tennis. The island is home to a number of world-class tennis resorts and camps. At these facilities, players enjoy lighted courts, lessons, clinics, and pro events. In addition to these facilities, almost every resort offers tennis courts for guests use. Additionally, over the past ten years, pickleball courts have been cropping up next to the tennis courts. Good luck with your chainsaw serves!
Learn About the Gullah Culture
“Gullah” refers to the language and culture of a community of African American people who reside on the Lowcountry and Sea Islands of the southeastern US. Originally brought to the US as enslaved people, today the Gullah community in the Hilton Head region works to preserve their West and Central African language, traditions, food, music, and crafts in a modern-day society.
Learn about this unique community’s history and culture at a museum or on a guided tour.
Save Some Time to Shop
Don’t forget to save a day to hit some of the island’s retail offerings. On the island there are lots of small one-of-a-kind shops to choose from as well as a number of large scale malls. You can shop for specialty foods, crafts, furniture, or designer goods – the choice is yours. If open-air malls excite you, there is a large Tanger Outlet just before the Hilton Head Island bridge.
Relax at One of the Island’s Amazing Spas
After a few days at the beach, your face and feet may need some pampering. Book a pedicure, facial, and a massage (or a huge menu of other pampering services) at one of Hilton Head’s many spas or salons. It’s a perfect way to wrap up a week of sun, surf, and sand.
We hope you find our list of things to do on Hilton Head Island helpful, Laura and Randy
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