There are many reasons why Hilton Head Island, above all other stunning land bodies, is often considered the best and most beautiful island in the United States. From its sugary sandy beaches and clear waters to its luxury accommodations, renowned food scene, and professional golf courses, Hilton Head Island is a vacationer's dream tucked into the tranquil heart of South Carolina’s low country. Not to mention how beautiful the weather is here in South Carolina's hidden gem.

Hilton Head Island is a popular destination for families, couples, and even adventurous sports fishing and paddling enthusiasts. Find out if Hilton Head Island lives up to the hype!

UPDATE: 2023/09/28 12:50 EST BY NICHOLAS MAYAMBA

More Things To Do On Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island is a prime vacation spot in South Carolina, offering travelers an eclectic mix of white sandy beaches, unique historical and cultural experiences, and a delectable dining scene. In this updated article, find out more top-rated things to do on Hilton Head Island for the best holiday experience.

Things to do on Hilton Head Island

With its seemingly endless dining and accommodation options, it is entirely possible to spend an entire vacation not leaving these 69 square miles of bliss. In addition to being a fantastic stand-alone tourist destination, it is also a perfect stop on a road trip between Charleston and Savannah.

1 Sea Pines Forest Preserve

For anyone wanting a nature walk, exploring Sea Pines Forest Preserve is the perfect option. Here, guests can experience a protected nature area featuring walking paths, boat tours, and an archeological site made of seashells. The park is 605 acres and has been protected land since 1970, making it a somewhat historic area on the island.

• Admission: $9 per car
• Hours: 8 am - 7 pm

Avoid walking close to the edge of any ponds, lagoons, and other water bodies at Sea Pines Forest Preserve. They are natural habitats for alligators, which no tourists want a close encounter with.

2 Fish Haul Beach Park

Another awesome park experience awaits at Fish Haul Beach Park, which overlooks Port Royal Sound and is perfect for those seeking a quiet getaway for walking, bird watching, and resting. What's nice about this beach is that it features restrooms and a shower area to wash off before heading back to the hotel.

The park is free to enter, so this might be a nice idea for larger groups or people wanting to save money while on the island.

• Admission: Free
• Hours: 6 am - 9 pm

Fish Haul Beach Park is a dog-friendly facility, so pet owners can bring their furry friends for quality time at the beach.

3 Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina

A visit to Shelter Cover Harbour & Marina is one of the best things to do on Hilton Head Island. Located in the middle of Hilton Head Island, across from Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, this marina is one of the more popular locations on the island.

Shelter Cover Harbour & Marina is Hilton Head's largest deep-water marina and offers 178 boat slips.

4 Hilton Head's Boardwalk: Harbour Town

The Harbour Town boardwalk is a great jumping-off point for many water excursions, tours, and more. It's not a conventional boardwalk with rides, but it has plenty of activities to offer for jet ski, kayak, and parasail enthusiasts.

Also, in this area of Sea Pines, Hilton Head Island is South Beach, another boardwalk area with stores and restaurants—grab some souvenirs here, too.

• Harbour Town boardwalk location: 149 Lighthouse Rd
• South Beach boardwalk location: 232 S Sea Pines Dr

5 The Jazz Corner

For anyone who loves jazz on Hilton Head Island, heading to The Jazz Corner is one of the best spots in the area. This iconic jazz club is award-winning and has become a must-experience for anyone traveling to South Carolina.

• Tickets start at $10 for various shows

Visit the official website for more information on scheduled events, dates, and ticket prices.

6 Coligny Plaza Shopping Center

Another laid back thing to do on Hilton Head Island is to visit the Coligny Plaza Shopping Center. Here, tourists can find more than 60 specialty shops and restaurants. This mall has a boutique feel mixed with the island charm that only Hilton Head offers.

Check Coligny Plaza's events page for current goings-on.

7 Burkes Beach

Heading to the beach, many tourists flock to Burkes Beach to enjoy a day in the sun and clear, blue water. Burkes Beach is mid-island, offering a serene atmosphere to guests. Parking is available near the beach or hotels nearby.

It may be better to walk here if someone is close enough to avoid the busy lot, especially on weekends or holidays.

8 Spend A Day At Coligny Beach

By far, the best thing to do on Hilton Head Island is to take a trip to the beach. There are dozens of beaches to choose from, many with delicate sugary sand that seems to stretch on for days. Hilton Head Island also has some of the clearest water in all of South Carolina.

Coligny Beach is the top preferred beach by locals and tourists alike. Not only is the beach and water stunning, but there are also ample amenities available.

Ample restrooms, changing facilities, food and drink options, and Wi-Fi are available. This all helps make Coligny Beach the perfect place to spend a beautiful day on Hilton Head Island.

• Admission: Free
• Hours: 6 am - 9 pm

Be wary of jellyfish and stingrays that permeate Coligny Beach waters in the summer. A sting could easily land one in the emergency room.

9 Explore The Island And Its Surroundings By Boat

While the beaches are stunning, it is also nice to get out onto the water. There are all sorts of fun water sports to enjoy. There are fishing charters and boat cruises that leave daily from the island with a variety of options to choose from.

Numerous areas can be explored by paddling. Rent a kayak or even a stand-up paddle on a nice day to enjoy the protected harbor and explore the more remote coves around this stunning low-country paradise.

For boaters who'd like to hire and steer their own vessels, accessing a boat from local outfitters costs between $68 and $500, depending on the size and type of boat.

10 Harbor Town And Lighthouse

No visit to Hilton Head Island is complete without a visit to Harbor Town and its iconic candy cane-striped lighthouse. But there is much more to do in this little harbor area than snap a quick selfie in front of the iconic lighthouse.

Related: 10 Awesome Things That You Can Do In South Carolina

Harbor Town has a wide variety of dining and live entertainment options, making it a perfect place to arrive in the late afternoon and then enjoy a sunset dinner or cocktails and entertainment. There are also numerous shops to stroll through for retail-hungry tourists.

For those looking to raise their heart rate in hopes of an epic view, there is even the option to climb the 144 steps to the top of the Harbor Town lighthouse.

Take advantage of the several boat tours, excursions, and dolphin-watching cruises departing from Harbor Town to explore the region.

11 Coastal Discovery Museum

One of the great things people might not know about Hilton Head Island is its fantastic and unique Coastal Discovery Museum. This is a fantastic museum located on a sprawling 68-acre property that allows visitors access to see first-hand the beauty and natural wonder of South Carolina's low country.

Trails and boardwalks help guests explore the hanging Spanish moss, salt marshes, and various wildlife species.

There are also events, featured talks, and exhibits that showcase much of the area's rich history, including exhibits showcasing sweet grass baskets, one of the ultimate gifts a visitor can procure on a trip to this region.

• Admission: Free
• Hours: 9 am - 4:30 pm (Sundays 11 am - 3 pm)

Although there are no admission fees to the Coastal Discovery Museum, guests are encouraged to donate $5 for the smooth running of the landmark.

12 Driessen Beach Park

An excellent alternative to Coligny Beach Park, Driessen, is for tourists who prefer to skip the crowds for more isolated locations. This charming beachside property lies in a wooded area on the northeastern end of Hilton Head Island, boasting long stretches of sandy shores with stunning ocean views.

The beach is large enough to accommodate large groups without feeling crowded and offers several public facilities, including outdoor showers, restrooms, picnic points, bike racks, and a playground. Several resorts and restaurants along the shores ensure quick access to refreshments and a bite to eat whenever tourists are feeling peckish.

• Admission: Free ($.50 per hour for parking)
• Hours: 6 am - 9 pm

While there are hardly ever crowds at Driessen Beach Park, vacationers, especially those with kids, should arrive early to secure the best spot on the sand.

13 Escape To Daufuskie Island

Sitting on a remote section of the island, west of Harbor town, Daufuskie Island is a pleasant escape who vacationers with a penchant for off-the-beaten-path experiences. The isolated island harbors a few residents, about 400 full-time, and is only accessible via boat or ferry.

Visitors will love the fresh air and pristine of the island, devoid of motor vehicles and teeming with century-old Spanish moss oak trees. The area is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, thanks to a legacy dating back to the 1730s when enslaved people from West Africa worked on plantations there.

A ferry ride to Daufuskie Island costs $45 for a roundtrip when visiting during the daytime. The ferry leaves the harbor every three hours, and passengers must schedule transportation ahead of time.

14 Visit Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge

Hilton Head houses a rich wildlife ecosystem, which tourists can glimpse at the Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge. This natural oasis straddles over 4,000 acres, encompassing Corn Island, Pinckney Island, and Big and Little Harry Islands. However, it's only Pinckney Island that is accessible to the public.

There are over 250 species of birds at the refuge and other animals native to the area, including alligators, deer, and turtles. Guests can explore the diverse habitats by walking along 14 miles of picturesque trails, where they'll pass through salt marshes, freshwater ponds, and maritime forests.

• Admission: Free
• Hours: Sunrise to sunset

Apply some insect repellent when exploring the trails inside the refuge for a more comfortable experience. Also, carry enough water as there is none available at the sanctuary.

15 Check Out Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park

Established in 1862 by Gen. Ormsby Mitchel, it is the first sovereign community of formerly enslaved people in America. Today, remnants of the society can be found in the local Gullah people, and the park exhibits several replicas of homesteads that paint a picture of life like it was back then.

Visitors will be intrigued by the Homestead House, Prairie House, Bateau replicas, and over 20,000 artifacts displayed in the gallery. They also get the opportunity to learn traditional techniques of casting net. The park also stages a long list of events around the year, highlighted by the Juneteenth celebrations.

• Admission: Free
• Hours: 6 am - 9 pm

For an immersive experience, guests can opt for a guided tour that delves deeper into the history and legacy of the Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park. Reservations cost $8 per person.

16 Best Time To Go To Hilton Head Island

Situated at the southern tip of South Carolina, surrounded by water, Hilton Head Island experiences pleasant weather throughout the year. Odds are that no matter when a trip is planned to this low-country island, it will be stunning. Still, there are some times that are better to visit than others.

Visiting Hilton Head Island in the fall is ideal. The crowds have mostly dispersed by mid-September, but the warm temperatures remain. In fact, it is even possible to swim at Hilton Head Island in October, making fall a perfect time to spend here. Most of all, the prices of accommodations also start to drop.

This means that in the fall, a visitor is likely to experience perfect weather, minimal crowds, and even off-peak prices, not just on Hilton Head Island, but all around South Carolina.

Related: 10 Incredible U.S. Islands That Should Be On Your Bucket List This Winter

For those who consider themselves foodies, spring is without question the best time to visit Hilton Head Island, as this is when the 12-mile island paradise hosts the Food and Wine Festival.

Summer is the most popular time to visit the island. Everything is in full swing. Visitors can expect everything open, with pop-up rentals and snack shacks abound, as well as live music at nearly every turn.

Beaches are packed, but with more than 12 miles of long sandy beaches, visitors shouldn’t have to fight for a spot to set up a blanket and umbrella.

17 Best Ways To Get Around Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island might be a relatively small island, but it still requires the help of wheels to get around. The majority of people visiting Hilton Head Island navigate it using a car.

This allows visitors to hit all its beaches as well as top tourist spots like Harbor Town, The Coastal Discovery Museum, and even nearby Beaufort and Charleston. However, if a car is not in the cards, there are a few other options to get around this bountiful island.

Utilize The Bike Paths

Hilton Head Island is connected completely with a series of bike paths totaling over 200 miles. Some of these pathways are along streets; others are stunning paths on picturesque tree-lined routes and along the many coastal paths as well.

Many hotels offer complimentary bike rentals, and there are also many bike rental companies that offer daily rates. Biking through Hilton Head Island is a glorious way to soak up the laid-back vibes while experiencing much of what makes this place magical.

Public Transportation On Hilton Head Island

Public transportation is limited in Hilton Head Island, except for a tourist trolley that runs in the peak season on the island.

The Breeze Trolley runs from mid-April through Labor Day.

• Weekday Trolley hours: 1 p.m. - 10 p.m. (Sunday - Thursday)
• Weekend Trolley hours: 1 p.m. - Midnight (Friday and Saturday)

Before booking accommodations, consider looking at the Breeze Trolley Route Map to see if it can help reduce the need for driving while on vacation.

Walking In Hilton Head

Several areas, including Harbor Town, are very walkable. If walkable areas are important, make sure to book accommodations near Harbor Town or another area with walkable streets with everything nearby.

Related: These Are The 10 Most Beautiful Towns In South Carolina You Should Visit

18 Where To Eat On Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island has plenty of eateries to choose from, many with seating areas directly over the water.

While the area is renowned for its fresh seafood, several Italian restaurants offer a taste of the diverse culinary scene on Hilton Head Island. Here are the top eateries to consider when hunger calls:

Breakfast Bites

• Southern Coney And Breakfast: Warm and cozy breakfast spot with an affordable and delicious pancake house-style menu. Unpretentious and filling.
• Palmetto Bay Sunrise Café: Slightly-elevated menu fare with many breakfast options with a cozy ambiance.

Mid-Day Offerings

• Delisheeyo: Savory and healthy Mediterranean menu with very reasonable prices, complete with a lush garden atmosphere.
• Chez Georges Bistro & Bar: French restaurant and wine bar with an elegant bistro menu in a sophisticated atmosphere for a high-end lunch (or dinner) experience.

Dinner

• The Jazz Corner: A magical dinner experience with nightly jazz shows, elevated southern cooking, and signature cocktails. A great place for date night or an entertaining (and scrumptious) night out.
• Stellini Italian Restaurant: This Italian restaurant is a Hilton Head Island mainstay and has been for more than 23 years. It is known for its perfected authentic dishes and is considered one of the top Italian Restaurants on Hilton Head Island, of which there are many to choose from.

Places For Drinks

• Pool Bar Jim’s: A Hilton Head Island mainstay. Known for its tropical bar atmosphere, refreshing frozen cocktails, and lively evening atmosphere.
• The Rooftop Bar At Poseidon: Live music and entertainment with an upbeat party atmosphere, all with great views in this stunning rooftop location.

19 Where To Stay On Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island has a variety of accommodations at several different price points. There are affordable hotels and camping for those on a tight budget.

There are also extraordinary luxury accommodations for those looking to treat themselves.

Vacation rentals are also very popular and a fantastic option for those visiting with families or in a group.

Budget-Friendly Options

Hotel Carolina A Days Inn by Wyndham

• 9 Marina Side Drive, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
• Convenient chain with basic amenities
• Around $108/night

Fiddlers Cove

• 45 Folly Field Rd, Hilton Head, SC 29928-5422
• Resort with privately owned condo rentals for rent in a secure gated community with multiple pools, tennis, and pickleball courts
• Around $138/night

Mid-Range Accommodations

Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort

• 23 Ocean Ln, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
• Idyllic oceanfront location at Palmetto Dunes, with tennis courts, pools, and championship golf courses.
• Around $337/night

Inn and Club at Harbor Town

• 7 Lighthouse Ln, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
• Exclusive and pristine luxury resort, with golf, a serenity pool, and a beach concierge.
• Around $275/night

Luxury Hotels

The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa

• 2 Grasslawn Ave, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
• Farm & sea to table dining, multiple outdoor pools, terraces and oceanfront views
• Around $517/night

Marriott Hilton Head Resort & Spa

• 1 Hotel Circle, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928-5146
• Beach location, on-site golf, indoor/outdoor pools, outdoor spaces
• Around $453/night

20 Tips For Staying On Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island is situated near the border of Georgia. This makes it part of South Carolina’s famous low country. This region is known for significant biodiversity, with its many bodies of water, marshes, and protected wetlands. It is also home to significant cultural and historical sites of importance.

The area is known for its sleepy and stunning Southern towns that are full of charm. Areas like Beaufort, Charleston, and Savannah, all famous and bucket-list-worthy Southern towns and cities, are a short drive away.

These are just a few notable characteristics that make Hilton Head Island one of the top awesome things to do in South Carolina.